Friðrik Þór Friðriksson
Encyclopedia
Friðrik Þór Friðriksson (born May 12, 1954; pronounced ˈfrɪðrɪk ˈθouːr ˈfrɪðrɪxsɔn), sometimes credited as Fridrik Thor Fridriksson, is an Iceland
ic film director
.
He started his film making career with experimental films and documentaries in the early 1980s. He founded The Icelandic Film Corporation in 1990, it has since become Iceland's most important film production company. The company produces his films and works with other Icelandic directors as well as producers. His international reputation led the company to build a network of internationally well-established co-production partner companies, including Lars von Trier
's Zentropa
and most recently, Francis Ford Coppola
's American Zoetrope
. His second feature Children of Nature
(1991) was nominated for an Oscar as Best Foreign Language Film and it took the Grand Prize at the 4th Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival
in February 1993.
Friðrik also starred in Lars von Trier
s 2006 comedy film The Boss of it All
.
He grew up in Iceland in the sixties and so was largely influenced by American films. Despite that it was exposure to the work of Akira Kurosawa
, John Ford
and Nicholas Ray
which proved crucial in his decision to become a filmmaker. He has worked with two of Iceland's most acclaimed novelists and script-writers. His work with Einar Már Guðmundsson
includes Children Of Nature, Angels of the Universe
, and Moviedays. His work with Einar Kárason
includes White Whales, Devils Island, and Falcons Friðrik Þór Friðriksson is noted for the strong visual style of his films including stunning images. These films are both deeply personal and strongly rooted in Icelandic culture, often depict characters at the crossroads of tradition and modernity. They are said to combine a wry sense of humour with a genuine solidarity with the characters.
His newest work includes the documentary Mother Courage, locally named the Sunshine Boy, premiered at the Toronto film festival 2009, and his latest feature film Mamma Gógó
, now pre-selected for candidature for European film awards.
Mother Courage has been nominated for the Voice award 2010.
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
ic film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
.
He started his film making career with experimental films and documentaries in the early 1980s. He founded The Icelandic Film Corporation in 1990, it has since become Iceland's most important film production company. The company produces his films and works with other Icelandic directors as well as producers. His international reputation led the company to build a network of internationally well-established co-production partner companies, including Lars von Trier
Lars von Trier
Lars von Trier is a Danish film director and screenwriter. He is closely associated with the Dogme 95 collective, although his own films have taken a variety of different approaches, and have frequently received strongly divided critical opinion....
's Zentropa
Zentropa
Europa is a film directed by Lars von Trier. Released in 1991, it is von Trier's third theatrical feature film and is the final film in the Europa trilogy....
and most recently, Francis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. He is widely acclaimed as one of Hollywood's most innovative and influential film directors...
's American Zoetrope
American Zoetrope
American Zoetrope is a studio founded by Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas. Founded on December 12, 1969, American Zoetrope was an early adopter of digital filmmaking, including some of the earliest uses of HDTV...
. His second feature Children of Nature
Children of Nature
Children of Nature is a 1991 Icelandic film directed by Friðrik Þór Friðriksson. A man becomes too old to run his farm and he is made unwelcome in his daughter and son-in-law's urban dwelling. Dumped in a home for the elderly, he meets an old girlfriend from his youth, and they elope to the wilds...
(1991) was nominated for an Oscar as Best Foreign Language Film and it took the Grand Prize at the 4th Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival
Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival
The , also sometimes called YIFFF, is held in a resort-like environment in the small town of Yūbari on the northernmost Japanese island of Hokkaidō. From 1990 to 1999, the festival was known as the Yubari International Fantastic Adventure Film Festival.-History:...
in February 1993.
Friðrik also starred in Lars von Trier
Lars von Trier
Lars von Trier is a Danish film director and screenwriter. He is closely associated with the Dogme 95 collective, although his own films have taken a variety of different approaches, and have frequently received strongly divided critical opinion....
s 2006 comedy film The Boss of it All
The Boss of It All
The Boss of it All is a 2006 Danish comedy film written and directed by Lars von Trier.-Plot:The owner of an IT company wishes to sell it. But, for years, he has pretended that the real boss lives in America and communicates with the staff only by e-mail. That way, all the unpopular decisions...
.
He grew up in Iceland in the sixties and so was largely influenced by American films. Despite that it was exposure to the work of Akira Kurosawa
Akira Kurosawa
was a Japanese film director, producer, screenwriter and editor. Regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers in the history of cinema, Kurosawa directed 30 filmsIn 1946, Kurosawa co-directed, with Hideo Sekigawa and Kajiro Yamamoto, the feature Those Who Make Tomorrow ;...
, John Ford
John Ford
John Ford was an American film director. He was famous for both his westerns such as Stagecoach, The Searchers, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and adaptations of such classic 20th-century American novels as The Grapes of Wrath...
and Nicholas Ray
Nicholas Ray
Nicholas Ray was an American film director best known for the movie Rebel Without a Cause....
which proved crucial in his decision to become a filmmaker. He has worked with two of Iceland's most acclaimed novelists and script-writers. His work with Einar Már Guðmundsson
Einar Már Guðmundsson
Einar Már Guðmundsson is an Icelandic author of novels, short stories, and poetry. His books have been translated into several languages.- Background :...
includes Children Of Nature, Angels of the Universe
Angels of the Universe
Angels of the Universe is a 2000 Icelandic film and directed by Friðrik Þór Friðriksson. The leading role is played by Ingvar E. Sigurðsson, who was nominated for the European Film Awards for best acting...
, and Moviedays. His work with Einar Kárason
Einar Kárason
Einar Kárason is an Icelandic writer. He has been a full-time writer since 1978. He started his career with poetry in literary magazines from 1978 to 1980. In 1981 he published his first novel. He is best known for Devil's Island, which was translated into English...
includes White Whales, Devils Island, and Falcons Friðrik Þór Friðriksson is noted for the strong visual style of his films including stunning images. These films are both deeply personal and strongly rooted in Icelandic culture, often depict characters at the crossroads of tradition and modernity. They are said to combine a wry sense of humour with a genuine solidarity with the characters.
His newest work includes the documentary Mother Courage, locally named the Sunshine Boy, premiered at the Toronto film festival 2009, and his latest feature film Mamma Gógó
Mamma Gógó
Mamma Gógó is a 2010 Icelandic drama film directed by Friðrik Þór Friðriksson. The film was selected as the Icelandic entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 83rd Academy Awards, but it didn't make the final shortlist.-Cast:...
, now pre-selected for candidature for European film awards.
Mother Courage has been nominated for the Voice award 2010.