The Day Iceland Stood Still

On 24 October 1975, the women of Iceland made history. On this day, the vast majority of women in Iceland stopped working in the morning and refused to do housework. This mass strike, an initiative of the feminist pioneers of the Red Stockings Movement, paralysed the country and caused panic among the men who suddenly had to take over the housework and childcare. 

In this inspiring documentary by director Pamela Hogan, the women themselves tell their story. Interwoven with animations, The Day Iceland Stood Still tells the true story of a day, now almost half a century ago, that changed the country forever and catapulted Iceland to the top of the gender equality rankings – a cathartic testimony to awareness and the collective power of women.

The Day Iceland Stood Still began an impressive journey through international film festivals in 2024, winning Best Documentary at the Nordische Filmtage Lübeck and the Victoria Film Festival in Australia, among others, and was named audience favourite at several festivals. At the Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival in Prague, the film received a Special Mention for best political film. Director Pamela Hogan also won an Emmy Award as a producer for her work on the series Wide Angle (2002-2009).