Iceland

A film by Lisa Eder
© 2009 / 43 min (German+French) and 52 min (English) / HD / 16:9 / Stereo

Iceland, the island of longing in the North. The biggest volcanic island in the world is known for its grandiose landscape, its geysers and glaciers. But it is even more famous for its horses.

The film, which belongs to the series "Under the Spell of Horses", contains spectacular images of life on the edge of the Arctic Circle and portrays the family Goroarsson and their work with horses. They live in Vatnsdalur, a fertile valley in the North four hours by car from the capital city, Reykjavik. The filming starts in summer, when the days neither begin nor end because it never gets dark. Every year in July Haukur drives most of the horses up to the highland pastures. This is a tradition that goes back centuries. The animals spend three months up there in absolute freedom – until autumn, when the valley is often already snow-covered. Then it’s time for "rettir", when they are driven down again. The animals are then brought together, counted and returned to their stables.

But Haukur has a lot to do before then. Director Lisa Eder accompanies him and his family as they make their way through the thinly populated island to Myvatn, a lake area in the north. He wants to buy a horse for his son there, one that is perhaps suitable for the great horse ride.

The camera team is also there when Haukur Marian takes part in a tournament and when he practices for the highlight of the year, the ride to the glacier. Enormous, ice-covered shield volcanoes rise up into the clouds. Three quarters of Iceland's landscape is desert. The central highlands are made up of endless lava and scree fields interwoven with crevices and gorges. Will Haukur Marian be able to take part in the great horse ride?