The director and screenwriter of this Danish-Icelandic-Croatian coproduction is Rúnar Rúnarsson, author of the award winning film Volcano (Eldifall, 2011) which, after premiering in Cannes, won numerous prizes around the globe. ‘This is a huge honor and a great start for our film,’ said producer Mikkel Jersin and added, ‘Rúnarsson is a fantastic director who knows how to touch the hearts of the public. Even though the film takes place on far away fjords, it speaks of important themes that all people share in common’. Along with Mikkel Jersin, producers are Brynhildur Birgisdottir, Igor A. Nola and Lilja Osk Snorradottir. The director of photography is Sophia Olsson, and the cast include Ingvar E. Sigurðsson, Kristbjörg Kjeld, Atli Óskar Fjalarsson, Björk Björnsdóttir and Rade Šerbedžija. 

Sparrows is a drama about Ari, a sixteen year-old living with his mother in Reykjavik who is suddenly forced to live with his father Gunnar in the remote Westfjords.  There he has to face the difficult relationship he has with his father, as well as relationships with childhood friends who have significantly changed.  In these hopeless and trying surroundings Ari has to prove himself and find his path.

Nimbus Film and Nimbus Iceland produced the film, while co-producers are Pegasus Pictures (Iceland) and MP Film (Croatia) whose producer is Igor A. Nola.  The film was financed by the Iceland Film Center and the Danish Film Institute, the Croatian Audiovisual Center, Nordisk Film and TV Fond, the Icelandic Ministry of Industries and Innovation, Sena, RUV, TV2 and SF.

Rúnar Rúnarsson debuted at Cannes with his film Volcano which was featured in the special section, the Director’s Fortnight (Quinzaine des Réalisateurs) in 2011. In addition, his short film The Last Farm (Síðasti bærinn) was nominated for an Oscar, only adding to the more than one hundred international awards and accolades he has received for his films.

The San Sebastian International Film Festival is one of the most prestigious film manifestations. Premiering at the 63rd edition, which will run from September 18-26, are new films by authors including Lucile Hadžihalilović, Ben Wheatley, Augusti Villaronga and Alex de la Iglesia. 

For more information go to the official festival website.

Cover Photos: scenes from Sparrows; director Rúnar Rúnarsson 

*Photo Credits: Sophia Olsson