Hilarious tongue in cheek examination of national identity. The film follows several emigrants and Icelandic Canadians as they explore their Viking heritage. Icelanders are more or less amused at their attempts to bond with contemporary Iceland. Probably the funniest scenes surround a young man who gets dressed up in Viking costume to work at a Reykjavik tourist trap -- a Viking dining hall.
Who knew Canada was such a haven for Icelandic immigrants? Evidently the film offended the Canadian Icelandic community who expected a triumphalist narrative of pioneers in a new land and nostalgia for the Old Country. Instead it's a call for Canadians to celebrate their Canadian-ness and not get too hung up on romanticizing the old country.
I saw the film at the Canadian Northern Cinemas Festival in Reykjavik in February 2006. Unfortunately the film is very difficult to obtain for viewing. It's a shame because it really is a very witty and insightful commentary on the immigrant condition and the idea of North America comprising a melting pot.
Who knew Canada was such a haven for Icelandic immigrants? Evidently the film offended the Canadian Icelandic community who expected a triumphalist narrative of pioneers in a new land and nostalgia for the Old Country. Instead it's a call for Canadians to celebrate their Canadian-ness and not get too hung up on romanticizing the old country.
I saw the film at the Canadian Northern Cinemas Festival in Reykjavik in February 2006. Unfortunately the film is very difficult to obtain for viewing. It's a shame because it really is a very witty and insightful commentary on the immigrant condition and the idea of North America comprising a melting pot.