The Hero's Journey to the Third Pole - A Bipolar Musical Documentary with Elephants
Dir. Anní Ólafsdóttir, Andri Snær Magnason / Iceland / 2020 / 75’
Section:
Travelogues
Directors: Anní Ólafsdóttir, Andri Snær Magnason
Screenplay: Anní Ólafsdóttir, Andri Snær Magnason
Cinematography: Anní Ólafsdóttir, Eiríkur Ingi Böðvarsson
Editing: Eva Lind Höskuldsdóttir, Anní Ólafsdóttir, Davíð Alexander Corn
Sound: Huldar Freyr Arnarson
Music: Högni Egilsson
Producers: Andri Snær Magnason, Halldóra Þorláksdóttir, Hlín Jóhannesdóttir, Sigurður Palmason
Production: Elsku Rut, Ursus Parvus, Ground Control Productions, Lokaútgáfan
World sales: Elsku Rut
Language: Icelandic
Website: https://www.facebook.com/elskurut
CREDITS
DESCRIPTION
Part road movie, part musical, part serious inquiry into the caverns of the mind, “The Hero's Journey to the Third Pole - A Bipolar Musical Documentary with Elephants” is at once an artful, sensitive and amusing examination of mental health, told through an unexpected story of friendship. The film follows Anna Tara Edwards, an Icelander raised in Nepal, and legendary musician Högni Egilsson, as they journey to Anna’s childhood home in the mountain jungles to explore the afflictions and superpowers that come with bipolar disorder.
Delving into their respective pasts through textured archival footage and home videos, the narrative follows their present day quest to raise awareness about the disease and come to terms with the impact it’s had on their own lives.
FESTIVALS AND AWARDS
RIFF - Reykjavík International Film Festival (Opening Film), CPH:DOX, One World International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival, Millennium Docs Against Gravity Film Festival
DIRECTOR
Anní Ólafsdóttir
Anní has worked as a freelance director, cinematographer, art director and editor for a number of TV shows, music videos, short films and visual art projects since 2012. One of her recent projects as a cinematographer was “Sacrifice”, a collaboration of visual artist Matthew Barney and the Iceland Dance Company.
Andri Snær Magnason
Andri is one of Iceland’s most celebrated writers. Among his works are novels, poetry, plays, short stories and essays that have been published or performed in 35 countries. His latest book “On Time and Water” (2019) will be published in 24 languages in 2020 and 2021.
IMAGES GALLERY