And Breathe Normally on Netflix and beyond

 While this blog is now a thing of the past, and has not been updated for over 5 years, it is worth mentioning that the film mentioned below, AND BREATHE NORMALLY premiered at Sundance in 2018 where it was awarded the Best Director Award in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition and subsequently sold to Netflix.  Please check it out, if you can.

And Breathe Normally confirms support from Icelandic Film Centre

"And Breathe Normally", a feature film written and to be directed by Ísold Uggadóttir has been granted production funding from the Icelandic Film Centre.  This is great news for the project, although the film's producers will continue to seek further funding to European funds over the course of the next few months.

Indiewire called it "an unflinching drama"

CLEAN starring Lauren Hennessy and directed by Isold Uggadottir is now available for free on Vimeo.  Jump on this opportunity, while it lasts!

El Tiempo in Bogota writes about "Revolution Reykjavik"

The widely read El Tiempo in Bogota discusses "Revolution Reykjavik" while covering the aftermath of the Icelandic economic collapse.

Revolution Reykjavik in Toronto

"Revolution Reykjavik" recently screened as part of the "Taste of Iceland" event at the Royal in Toronto.  Next, the film will be heading to Warsaw, in Poland.  Details to follow.

Presenting And Breathe Normally

It's that time of year!

We are heading to Cannes where we will be presenting AND BREATHE NORMALLY 

to the film world.   Should the project pique your interest, you may download the profile here.  Or even better, drop me a line if would like to meet in the French riveria under vastly more exotic circumstances, than here online.

Producer's contact can be found via the PDF-profile, while I am reachable
through isoldugga at gmail.com

AND BREATHE NORMALLY receives development funds

Our forthcoming feature, AND BREATHE NORMALLY has been awarded development funds from the Icelandic Film Centre.  This is an honor for the project, that nevertheless is still seeking production funds, with the aim of commencing production in the winter of 2014/2015.

As of November 2014, the Icelandic government has proposed a 40% slash to the local fund, prompting a strong reaction from the international film community, comdemning the move.  See Hollywood Reporter and Screen International.

New feature project selected for co-production market at Norwegian International Film Festival Haugesund

AND BREATHE NORMALLY (to be directed by Isold Uggadottir) is among selected works at the Nordic Co-production and Finance Market, as part of The Norwegian International Film Festival, Haugesund.   We deem this as good news.

Interviewed by Dutch publication VPRO

For the Dutch speakers out there, here is cute little piece on Iceland, including an interview with yours truly.  Am not entirely sure of what it says, but it goes something like this:

Isold Uggadottir maakte over de verwarrende crisistijd de film Revolution Reykjavik. De prijswinnende korte speelfilm gaat over een nette dame die haar baan bij een bank verliest, maar dat niet wil accepteren, waardoor ze steeds dieper in de problemen raakt. We hebben afgesproken in een cafeetje vol retromeubels met uitzicht op de haven. De filmmaakster verschijnt op een knaloranje fiets. Net als veel IJslanders heeft ze felblauwe ogen en donker haar, wat ze toeschrijft aan de genen van de Keltische monniken die de eerste bewoners van het eiland waren.

Ik geef complimenten over de strakke organisatie van mijn bustour. Dat verbaast Isold een beetje. ‘Een bekende uitdrukking van ons is Þeta reddast, wat zoveel betekent als “het zal wel goed komen”. Die houding komt volgens mij van onze avontuurlijke voorvaders. Maar dat laconieke heeft ons voor de crisis ook in de problemen gebracht. We dachten dat we overal mee weg konden komen, maar dat was dus niet zo.’ Ten tijde van de crisis studeerde ze in New York. ‘Toen ik daar net kwam wonen, stond de IJslandse kroon belachelijk hoog. Als mijn vrienden langskwamen, shopten ze zich helemaal suf. Als Amerikanen vroegen hoe dat kon, zeiden we trots: “We hebben gewoon een heel sterke munt.” Dat geloofde ik toen ook, maar we leefden in een zeepbel. Langzaam maar zeker begon de kroon te dalen. In 2010 begon ik aan een masteropleiding voor regisseur. Op dat moment was de kroon nauwelijks meer wat waard. De crisis liep als een rode draad door mijn studie, dus het was duidelijk dat mijn afstudeerfilm daarover moest gaan.’

http://www.vpro.nl/lees/gids/zomerserie/ijsland.html

New feature in development

No 9 Productions have teamed up with veteran producers of Zik Zak Filmworks for the production of Ísold Uggadóttir's forthcoming Icelandic feature film,  
AND BREATHE NORMALLY.

Financing is currently underway, with production to commence in spring of 2014.  
AND BREATHE NORMALLY (formerly working title "Verge") was selected for Film Independent's Screenwriting Lab in Los Angeles, Mexico's screenwriting residency Cine Qua Non and Scandinavia's Nordic Talents, hosted by the Nordic Film and Television Fund.  

Indiewire blogger highlights Revolution Reykjavik

"Revolution Reykjavík is one of the outstanding short films of the 2011/12 year. One of the few works to screen at both New Directors and Telluride and dozens of other festivals, it is evident that Isold Uggadottir, while not yet a known name as a director, is tremendously talented. ... Few portfolio works try for nuanced and subtle performances but are in-your-face testosterone fueled action works. This film is a keeper."
 -- Michael Block, Indiewire blogger

Invited to Nordic Cool in Washington DC

Invited to Guadalajara International Film Festival in Mexico

Revolution Reykjavik selected for Glasgow Short Film Fest

"Revolution Reykjavik", along with a selection of short films from Columbia University screened in Glasgow last February, in a program currated by Columbia's very own, Tom Kalin - artist, film director and over-all wonderful person.   -- We are admittedly proud to be among the selected works, which include such brilliant films as "Salt Kiss", "Rolling on the Floor Laughing", and "The Strange Ones."

Director's Reel for Isold Uggadottir

Isold Uggadottir - director's reel from Isold Uggadottir on Vimeo.

Showreel / Directing Reel 2013

Teaser for "Revolution Reykjavik"

Revolution Reykjavik - trailer from Isold Uggadottir on Vimeo.

Revolution Reykjavik goes to Poland

Its official! "Revolution Reykjavik" will screen in Bialystok, Poland at the Zubroffka International Short Film Festival between December 5 and 9th, along with a selection of Icelandic Short Films.  The event is co-presented by the Reykjavik Shorts and Docs Film Festival, where "Revolution Reykjavik" screened earlier this year.

Revolution Reykjavik qualifies to compete for Best Live Action Short at 2013 Oscar Awards

Much to our excitement, "Revolution Reykjavik" is on a list of short films that have qualified to compete for the Best Live Action Short Film at the 85th Academy Awards.   Let us be clear though, that before moving forward, the film must be short-listed by the Academy.   Only time (say, a few weeks or so) will tell if that actually happens.    In the meantime, feel free to browse the list:  http://www.imdb.com/list/ia6ec_BCC5A/

Update - December 2012:  "Revolution Reykjavik" did not make onto the Academy's Shortlist -- but our friends Nick Greene and Julie Buck did -- with their amazing film "Salar."   We recommend you check it out!

CLEAN invited to Helsinki, Finland

Our film, CLEAN has been invited to the Helsinki Short Film Festival, where it will screen on November 16th, as part of "Peaks of the World."   Meanwhile, our debut film, FAMILY REUNION  will entertain audiences at the Interfilm Festival in Berlin.

Revolution Reykjavik honored with Best Short Film Award at Seminci in Valladolid Spain

We are overly thrilled to announce our win at the prestigious Semana Internacional de Cine de Valladolid, otherwise known as Seminci!  The director was flown over on a few hours notice, arriving in Spain less than 24 hours after receiving the news.   An awards ceremony followed, broadcast live on Spanish television, after which much cocktail-partying ensued.   By 4AM she was back on route to Iceland.   The shortest film festival experience ever, but perhaps the most rewarding.

The Spanish media has covered the event extensively:

http://es.paperblog.com/la-revolucion-del-dia-a-dia-en-utras-reykjavik--1534782/

http://es.paperblog.com/la-57-seminci-se-despide-en-su-gala-de-clausura-1534255/

http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/1630771/0/

http://www.rtve.es/noticias/20121027/caballos-dios-nabil-ayouc-espiga-oro-57-edicion-seminci/571894.shtml

http://www.escribiendocine.com/noticias/57-seminci-todos-los-ganadores