BIRTH OF AN ISLAND
- the making of Iceland
Birth of an island is a new film (released summer 2011) that gives the viewer a unique opportunity to experience the creation of Iceland, the youngest country in Europe; an island that is still in the making! And why is that? Birth of an island explores how Iceland was created through volcanic eruptions on the Mid-Atlantic submarine ridge, why they continue and what effects they have on the island today. Why there are geysers and how the Icelanders learned how to harness the power of the natural hot water from deep below, as well as that of glacial rivers. It also shows how natural forces, such as glaciers, rivers, waterfalls, the Atlantic ocean and volcanoes constantly sculpture and mold the island. Explains why the island lost most of its vegetation, so Iceland is now the only country in Europe that has deserts. Also, what measures Icelanders have taken to recover the island´s woodlands. (43 min.) The filmmaker, Valdimar Leifsson, has been filming in Iceland for the past 30 years and has extensive stock of shots from most places in Iceland, many of which are shown in Birth of an island.

Total running time: 56 Minutes
Languages: English

Production year: 2011
Format: All regions / PAL

BONUS

Included on the DVD of Birth of an Island is the film THE ERUPTION! A short film about the volcanic eruption in Eyjafjallajökull in 2010. Filmed from air and the ground over a period of time while the eruption lasted. Edited to an original score by an Icelandic composer.