Kvik ehf
Páll Steingrímsson
Kvikfilm productions
Páll Steingrímsson
Major documentaris
1973 DAYS OF DESTRUCTION A mile long fissure opens early one morning on the outskirts of a fishing village in the Westman Islands. The film received the Gold Medal at the Atlanta International Film Festival 1973.
1990 ICELAND WHALING On whales, whale hunting and whale watching
1993 ARCTIC GEESE IN ICELAND On the five species of geese to be found in Iceland
1993 SURTSEY ISLAND 30 YEARS The birth and evolution of a volcanic island.
1994 WILD BIRDS ON THE REYKJAVIK LAKE 1994: The first in the series Nature in the district of Reykjavik, which is primarily meant for children.
1995 EIDER AND MAN The relationship between the eider, a charming wild seabird, and humans, and how both benefit from it. ”Merit award for Presentation of Wildlife/Cultural Interrelationship” at the 20th IWWF 1997 in Montana USA.
1997 ICELANDIC WATERS A three episode series for The Icelandic Marine Biology Institute.
1998 LITTLE BROTHER IN THE NORTH A documentary on the Puffin, its life cycle and breeding habits. ”Merit award for Presentation of Wildlife/Cultural Interrelationship” at the 20th IWWF 1999 in Montana USA,
NESJAVELLIR. Making of a geothermal power plant, for Reykjavik Power Company.
2001 PLACES FARAWAY A three episode series (52 min. each) TONGA, in practice the last royal monarchy in the world.
KENYA, nomadic customs and wildlife
NEPAL, A land of geographical extremities, the people and wildlife.
2001 WLDLIFE IN REYKJAVÍK Four short (15 min) educational films for the City of Reykjavik.
2001 THE ICE AGE HORSE. 52 min. documentary about the evolution and life of the Icelandic horse. First price for „Man and the natural world“ at Wildlife Europe 2001, in Sweden, three Merit Awards at IWWF in Montana, and III. prize in the category „Man and Nature“ at Matsalu II Nature Film Festival in Estonia, 2004.
2002 THE REYKJAVÍK POWER COMPANY
A four episode series (10.min each) on nature in the Reykjavik district.
2003 INSTRUMENTS IN ICE. Music video. An abstraction in and around ice, with two musicians and a music composition.
2003 WORLD OF SOLITUDE. Documentary about the magnificent and fascinating Highland wilderness of Iceland.
Received 1. Grand Prix – The Stork Nest Award in the documentary film category at European Environment Festival – Green Wave – 21st Century, in Bulgaria. And at the Ninth International Environmental Film Festival, “Green Vision” in St. Petersburg 2004 the prize for the best film in the nomination: For the Courage in Making an Environmental Film
2004 KJARVAL. Documentary about Johannes Kjarval Sveinsson the grand master of Icelandic painting in the mid 20th century.
2005 LIVING WITH DEMENTIA. Documentary of an elderly couple facing the developing of Alzheimer disease.
2006 KIRKJUTÓNLIST. Documentary on Icelandic religious music.
2007 TWO ISLAND SOCIETIES – Tetanus Infantum. Documentary, partly staged, on the communities in the Westmann Islands and on St. Kilda in the North Atlantic.
2008 MAN AND EIDER – A story on the relationship between the eider and humans and how both benefit from it. The birds are protected by the farmer who collects the down, a valuable product.
2008 WONDERS OF WATER – A film about one of the most amazing substances on earth – water – in all of its varying magical forms. “Encouragement Award” at the Japan Wildlife Film Festival in August 2009 for Wonders of Water
2009 EXPERT SURVIVORS, CORMORANTS AND SHAGS – Cormorants are found on all the continents of the world. Wherever man can survive, cormorants too can live, provided that they have access to open water. The Film received a Honorable Mention for Educational Value at the 33rd International Wildlife Film Festival, Missoula
2010 THE COD In recent years, research has shown that the Cod possesses talents that we never have credited it for. New knowledge is causeing a turning point in our access to this remarkable ocean dweller.
2010 THE ARCTIC TERN, in the series „Four Bird Stories“. The Arctic Tern uses more daylight hours than any other creature in the world, enjoying two whole summers each year. In a lifetime, a thirty year old Arctic Tern that nests in the north regions of the Atlantic will have flown a distance equivalent to that of flying to the Moon and back three times.
2011 BIRD OF WISDOM, THE RAVEN, in the series „Four Bird Stories“. Documentary on the raven, a bird renounced for intelligence and holding an important position in both Icelandic folklore and the ancient Nordic religion. This film was nominated for an award at Green-Screen in Germany 2011
2013 THE FLIGHT OF THE WIMBREL In the series „Four Bird Stories“. Documentary on the Wimbrel, following its migration from Iceland to West Africa.
Born in the Westman Islands, where he founded and ran a school of visual art for several years before going into films.
Co-founder of the Icelandic Film Makers Association and chairman of the board for a time.
Education: Graduated from the Icelandic School of Pedagogy 1951. Literature and biology at the University of Pedagogy in Copenhagen. 1962. Visual art at the Royal Academy of Art in Copenhagen 1963. Filming at the Film Department of New York University, 1972.
Pall Steingrimsson has been fully engaged in films since 1973 as writer, producer, director, cameraman or editor, both independently and in cooperation with various companies. In 1993 he founded KVIK Film Productions together with the artist Ruri. The company’s main emphasis has been on the production of nature, science and cultural documentaries, with the interrelationship of wildlife and human beings often the common denominator.
Páll Steingrímsson’s films have gained recognition on an international scale and have received numerous prizes at film festivals. Also he has received many honors, among these the Honorary prize of the Edda Festival in 2005, the Reykjavík City artist 2005, and the Knight’s Cross of the Order of the Falcon.
Bird Of Wisdom - The Raven
Óðinn, the mightiest of the Norse gods, understood the language of ravens. Huginn and Muninn (Mind and Memory) his two ravens flew far and wide to bring him news from around the world, every day. According to folklore, if a raven perched on a church cross, it was an omen of death. Various other actions by the raven could also bode death, but if treated well by humans the raven could bring good fortune. Kindness to ravens is rewarded by God.
No bird is so firmly rooted in Icelandic folk tradition as the raven, and the old folk beliefs still survive today.
Year of production: 2009
Duration: 52 min.
Director: Páll Steingrímsson
Author: Páll Steingrímsson
Camera: Friðþjófur Helgason
Editing: Ólafur Ragnar Halldórsson/ Páll Steingrímsson
Sound mixing: Ólafur Ragnar Halldórsson
Music: Þórður Högnason
Narrator Magnus Magnusson KBE
Format: HD
Ratio: 16:9
Inhalt
Odin, der mächtigste der altnordischen Götter, verstand die Sprache der Raben. Seine zwei Raben Huginn und Muninn (Verstand und Gedächtnis) flogen aus und brachten ihm Nachrichten aus aller Welt. Kein Vogel ist so fest in der isländischen Folklore verwurzelt wie der Rabe. Sein Verhalten könne drohendes Unheil voraussagen und wer gut zu den Raben sei, werde von Gott belohnt. Der Film zeigt faszinierende Bilder der in Island lebenden Rabenkolonien und gibt Einblicke in ihr verborgenes Familienleben.
THE ARCTIC TERN
2010 THE ARCTIC TERN, in the series „Four Bird Stories“. The Arctic Tern uses more daylight hours than any other creature in the world, enjoying two whole summers each year. In a lifetime, a thirty year old Arctic Tern that nests in the north regions of the Atlantic will have flown a distance equivalent to that of flying to the Moon and back three times.
The Arctic Tern uses more daylight hours than any other creature in the world, enjoying two whole summers each year. In a lifetime, a thirty year old Arctic Tern that nests in the north regions of the Atlantic will have flown a distance equivalent to that of flying to the Moon and back three times.
Year of production: 2010
Duration: 52 min.
Director: Páll Steingrímsson
Author: Páll Steingrímsson
Camera: Páll Steingrímsson
Editing Ólafur Ragnar Halldórsson / Páll Steingrímsson
Sound mixing: Magnús Egilsson
Music: Þórður Högnason
Narrator: Martin Regal
Format: HD
Ratio: 16:9
Wonders of Water
WONDERS OF WATER
A film about one of the most amazing substances on earth – water – in all of its varying magical forms. “Encouragement Award” at the Japan Wildlife Film Festival in August 2009 for Wonders of Water.
In our era of space travel, the earth is often referred to as the Blue Planet. But where did all this water come from? Without water, there can be no life. It is not surprising that water, in all its infinite variety, should provide an inspiration for poets. Water is like life: full of wonders.
Year of production: 2008
Duration: 52 min.
Director: Páll Steingrímsson
Author: Páll Steingrímsson
Camera: Páll Steingrímsson / Friðþjófur Helgason
Editing: Ólafur Ragnar Halldórsson
Sound mixing: Magnús Egilsson
Music: Áskell Másson
Narrator: Martin Regal
Format: HD
Ratio: 16:9
Expert Survivors Cormorants and Shags
EXPERT SURVIVORS, CORMORANTS AND SHAGS
The Film received a Honorable Mention forEducational Value at the 33rd International Wildlife Film Festival, Missoula.
Cormorants are found on all the continents of the world. Wherever man can survive, cormorants too can live, provided that they have access to open water and fish. Where food is plenty full Cormorants and Shags are found in huge numbers.
Year of production: 2009
Duration: 52 min.
Director: Páll Steingrímsson
Author: Páll Steingrímsson
Camera: Friðþjófur Helgason
Editing: Ólafur Ragnar Halldórsson/ Páll Steingrímsson
Sound mixing: Ólafur Ragnar Halldórsson
Music: Þórður Högnason
Narrator: Martin Regal
Format: HD
Ratio: 16:9
Two Island Communities and Tetanus Infantum
TWO ISLAND SOCIETIES – Tetanus Infantum. Documentary, partly staged, on the communities in the Westmann Islands and on St. Kilda in the North Atlantic.
A disease that killed eight out of ten infants born struck two islands in the North Atlantic. The Westman Islands off the south coast of Iceland and St. Kilda, west of Scotland. The film is staged and shot on both locations. The story is told by Magnus Magnusson KBE.
Year of production: 2007
Duration: 52 min.
Director: Páll Steingrímsson
Author: Páll Steingrímsson / Magnus Magnusson KBE
Camera: Friðþjófur Helgason
Editing: Ólafur Ragnar Halldórsson/ Páll Steingrímsson
Sound mixing: Magnús Egilsson
Music: Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson
Narrator: Magnus Magnusson KBE
Format: HD
Ratio: 16:9
The Flight of the Wimbrel
It is only recently that scientists found out that the wimbrel fly in one stretch from Iceland to west Africa when migrating. We followed the birds one year on the breeding grounds in Iceland and in Gambia where they spend the winter in totally different surroundings.
Year of production: 2013
Duration: 52 min.
Director: Páll Steingrímsson
Author: Páll Steingrímsson
Camera: Friðþjófur Helgason
Editing: Ólafur Ragnar Halldórsson /Páll Steingrímsson
Sound mixing: Ólafur Ragnar Halldórsson
Music: Þórður Högnason / Matthías Hemstock
Narrator: Martin Regal
Format: SD
Ratio: 16:9
The Cod
In recent years, research has shown that the Cod possesses talents that we never have credited it for. New knowledge is causeing a turning point in our access to this remarkable ocean dweller. The Cod senses- and creates sounds, and can be called „to dinner“ with underwater sound signals. We also witness modern Cod fishing.
Year of production: 2010
Duration: 48 min.
Director: Páll Steingrímsson
Author: Páll Steingrímsson
Camera: Björn Ómar Guðmundsson
Editing: Ólafur Ragnar Halldórsson /Páll Steingrímsson
Sound mixing: Ólafur Ragnar Halldórsson
Music: Þórður Högnason / Grettir Björnsson / Bragi Hlíðberg
Narrator: Martin Regal
Format: HD
Ratio: 16:9
The Seals have Human Eyes
Two species of seals breed on the coast of Iceland. Sequences include a rarely witnessed birth of a seal pup. The seals are filmed both on land and beneath the surface. We witness their astonishing hardiness during the long, cold winters. Of special interest is the close proximity of the seals to the camera and their interaction with the filming crew
Year of production: 1997
Duration: 52 min.
Director: Páll Steingrímsson
Author: Páll Steingrímsson
Camera: Páll Steingrímsson / Friðþjófur Helgason / Þorvarður Björgúlfsson / Karl Gunnarsson
Editing: Hjörtur Howser / Páll Steingrímsson
Sound mixing: Hjörtur Howser
Music: Hjörtur Howser
Narrator: Martin Regal
Format: SD
Ratio: 4:3
Volcanic Eruptions and Ash
The documentary “Eldur og aska” deals with volcanic eruptions and the ash from them, together with its wide-reaching effects.
Director: Páll Steingrímsson
Author: Páll Steingrímsson
Editing: Ólafur Ragnar Halldórsson
Format: HD
Ratio: 16:9
THE GAIA POWER PLANT
Work in progress
Ólafur Jónson’s most remarkable idea is, indisputably, his „Gaia Power Plant“. Óli is now living in China, where he is working exclusively on this revolutionary new idea about energy sources. The “Gaija Power Plant” is grounded in the same concepts as other harnessing of geothermal energy – but the revolutionary aspect is the use of seawater instead of fresh water and the earths crust for heating.
Secretary of State John Kerry said we’re at a tipping point, calling climate change “perhaps the world’s most fearsome weapon of mass destruction.” Global warming is as threatening as the asteroid that caused the extinction of three-quarters of the plant and animal species on earth 66 million years ago.
The need for clean energy source in urgent. Óli´s idea is probably the best solution still mentioned. This concerns all life on earth.
Year of production: 2015
Duration: 52 min.
Director: Páll Steingrímsson
Author: Páll Steingrímsson
Camera: Páll Steingrímsson / Friðþjófur Helgason
Editing: Ólafur Ragnar Halldórsson
Sound mixing: Magnús Egilsson
Music: Áskell Másson
Narrator: Martin Regal
Format: HD
Ratio: 16:9