Ágúst Guðmundsson

Directing

Ágúst Guðmundsson

Born June 29, 1947 · Reykjavik, Iceland (age 79)

Ágúst Guðmundsson (born 29 June 1947; Reykjavík) is an Icelandic film director and screenwriter. He studied French, Icelandic in Reykjavík and filmmaking at the National Film School in London. He has made many popular Icelandic films that have also been translated into other languages. His 1998 film The Dance was entered into the 21st Moscow International Film Festival where he won the Silver St.…

Known For

The DanceThe Dance · 1998
The Dance
6.21998
MovieDramaComedy
Águst Guðmundsson directed this Icelandic period drama, adapted from the short story We Must Dance by William Heinesen, and set on an island in 1913. Pétur (Gunnar Helgason) narrates, recalling the days when mainlanders arrived for a wedding. Flirtatious Sirsa (Pálína Jónsdottir) marries Harald (Dofri Hermannsson), son of a wealthy landowner on the island. Offshore, a ship is sinking, so the men form a rescue party, returning with the captain, the engineer, and several sailors. With a storm gathering, the engineer dies. The clergyman requests an end to the festivities as a mark of respect. Sirsa protests, but her new husband brings the celebration to a halt. The group then fragments into different activities, drunken or otherwise, and the sensual Sirsa directs her attention toward the handsome Ívar (Baldur Trausti Hreinsson). The film's score features traditional folk music.
Across the Interior of IcelandAcross the Interior of Iceland · 1983
Across the Interior of Iceland
1983
MovieDocumentary
The film is about travelling on horseback across the Icelandic interior on the main route, which once connected the north of Iceland with the shout. This route was the scene of a tragic accident in the 18th century, when young farmers moving a flock of sheep to the North, perished in a snowstorm. For many years following the incident the track was not used, until the 19th century, when Captain Daniel Bruun from Denmark, accompanied by a photographer and a water-colour artist, crossed the difficult terrain, deep rivers, and rocky heights in sun, rain, fog and wind, marking the way with stones laboriously heaped into cairns.
A Little SwellingA Little Swelling · 1980
A Little Swelling
1980
MovieDramaTV Movie
A drama shot on location in Reykjavík which deals with the pregnancy of a 16 year old schoolgirl and the effect it has on her life. This is an unusual look at a classic situation through the eyes of the young mother-to-be. Humour heightens the refreshingly new treatment of the subject matter.
Golden SandsGolden Sands · 1984
Golden Sands
8.01984
MovieComedy
A political comedy about the effects of the apparent discovery of gold in the sands near a small community on Iceland's south coast. Troops from the American NATO base "invade" the territory, journalists from Reykjavik arrive and the morals of the local inhabitants quickly turn topsy-turvy.
Love in a SupermarketLove in a Supermarket · 1986
Love in a Supermarket
1986
MovieTV Movie
Albert works in the meat section of a convenience store who falls in love with a woman who frequents the store.
Outlaw: The Saga of GisliOutlaw: The Saga of Gisli · 1981
Outlaw: The Saga of Gisli
5.41981
MovieDrama
Based on the saga of Gísli Súrsson, one of the Icelandic Sagas. The attempt of a family head in 10th century Iceland to strengthen the fragile bonds within the clan through blood brotherhood turns into the opposite through suspicion and resentment. When the law of blood revenge has to be fulfilled after a murder, a fateful chain reaction is set in motion.
The Seagull's LaughterThe Seagull's Laughter · 2001
The Seagull's Laughter
5.52001
MovieDramaComedy
Post-war provincial Iceland: around 1950, Freyja, who'd been a plump teen, returns from America, a widow with a 20-inch waist, seven suitcases of dresses, and a list of who ever wronged or slighted her. She moves in with an aunt and socialist uncle: finding a new husband is high on her agenda, and she's mistrusted by Agga, a pre-teen who's our eyes and ears. The social order and Freyja are more complicated than they seem at first, and so may be her prospects. Class divisions, families ties, pride, the onset of puberty, and the power of Eros sliver the ice.
A War time storyA War time story · 1977
A War time story
1977
Movie
Nonni, an 11 year old boy has to deal with the loss of his father who died in the second world war.

Filmography

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The DanceThe Dance · 1998
The Dance
6.21998
MovieDramaComedy
Águst Guðmundsson directed this Icelandic period drama, adapted from the short story We Must Dance by William Heinesen, and set on an island in 1913. Pétur (Gunnar Helgason) narrates, recalling the days when mainlanders arrived for a wedding. Flirtatious Sirsa (Pálína Jónsdottir) marries Harald (Dofri Hermannsson), son of a wealthy landowner on the island. Offshore, a ship is sinking, so the men form a rescue party, returning with the captain, the engineer, and several sailors. With a storm gathering, the engineer dies. The clergyman requests an end to the festivities as a mark of respect. Sirsa protests, but her new husband brings the celebration to a halt. The group then fragments into different activities, drunken or otherwise, and the sensual Sirsa directs her attention toward the handsome Ívar (Baldur Trausti Hreinsson). The film's score features traditional folk music.

Director

Under the GlacierUnder the Glacier · 1989
Under the Glacier
6.71989
MovieComedyFantasy
Our hero is Umbi (an acronym for emissary of the bishop), sent by him to undertake an important investigation at Snæfell-glacier. In particular he is to look into the conduct and behavior of Jón Prímus, the old pastor at Snæfell. Fantastic rumors are rife: amongst other things it is said that a corpse is lodged in the glacier! Armed with his tape recorder and notebook, Umbi embarks upon his mission. He tries to question the weird locals, a weird lot, but gets evasive answers. Slowly he is dragged into a quagmire of strange happenings and his efforts to understand only make him confused. If at the beginning he is a chipper, a mere device, by the end of the story he is inextricably involved, a committed participant in the bizarre events.

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