Mannvirki

On Iceland’s bleak north coast stands the concrete skeleton of an abandoned building, exposed to the merciless forces of wind and waves. This derelict structure lies at the heart of Mannvirki (Icelandic for 'structure'—or, as separate words, 'human' and 'fort'), an intriguing hybrid of documentary, fiction, and experimental cinema. As the ravages of time take their toll on the ruin, a new ecosystem emerges amidst the debris. Humans, flora, and fauna gather here, using quiet actions and rituals to bridge the gap between past and present, ultimately giving the building a surprising new purpose: that of a visual artwork. Defying easy categorization or genre labels, Mannvirki is an enchanting cinematic tribute that invites the quiet observation of impermanence.

Mannvirki marks the feature film debut of Gústav Geir Bollason and premiered at IFFR in 2023. Writer Sjón will be a guest at the Noordelijk Film Festival for a Spotlight Talk and will attend screenings of both The Northman and Lamb (2021), films for which he served as screenwriter.