THENEW FACE OF CHRISTMAS A Nerdfest of Epic Propotions • All the Ways Teen Cult has Gone Wrong Disecting the Liberal Propaganda • A Literary Discussion (of Epic Proportions) Complete City Guide and Listings: Map, Info, Music, Arts and Events Issue 18 / 1 December 2006 - 11 January 2007 P_REYKJAVÍK_GRAPEVINE_ISSUE18_YEAR_4_DECEMBER_1_JANUARY_11 Articles The Reykjavík Grapevine crew 06 There is no Such Thing as a Safe Bet in Filmmaking The Reykjavík Grapevine An interview with director Baltasar Kormákur Vesturgata 5, 101 Reykjavík www.grapevine.is 08 A Short History of Poles in Iceland [email protected] Jan Kargulewicz finds how Icelanders are embracing the Poles Published by: Fröken ehf. 10 Youth is Wasted on the Young Editorial Office Basshunter brings out the worst in the youth +354 540-3600 / [email protected] for inquiries regarding editorial content. 12 Immigrants – Pandora’s Box in Iceland A column by Toshiki Toma Marketing Office +354 540-3605 / [email protected] 14 Simply Speaking for inquiries regarding advertising, marketing, distribution A column by Gabriele R. Guðbjartsson and subscriptions. 20 How to Conduct Your Icelandic Christmas Publisher’s Office A guide to all our Christmas customs +354 540-3601 / [email protected] for inquiries regarding this publication. 27 Nordic Gods Alive in Reykjavík An interview with Jörmundur Ingi The Reykjavík Grapevine Staff Publisher: Hilmar Steinn Grétarsson / [email protected] 28 A Christmas Flood of Books and Noah’s Freezer Trawler Editor: Sveinn Birkir Björnsson / [email protected] Some Icelandic literary figures discuss the Icelandic landscape Assistant Editor: Steinunn Jakobsdóttir / [email protected] Marketing Director: Jón Trausti Sigurðarson / [email protected] 30 Icelandic Hockey Suffers for Lack of Ice Support Manager: Oddur Óskar Kjartansson / [email protected] The Grapevine explores the hockey culture Art Director: Gunnar Þorvaldsson / [email protected] Photographer: Óskar Hallgrímsson / [email protected] Staff Journalists: Haukur Magnússon / [email protected] Features Virginia Zech / [email protected] Sales staff: Aðalsteinn Jörundsson / [email protected] 16 You Can Take My Life, But You’ll Never Take My Freedom! Jón Trausti Sigurðarson / [email protected] The Grapevine goes to an EVE Online Fanfest Staff Assistant: Jóhanna F. Sæmundsdóttir / [email protected] Distribution: Sæmundur Þ. Helgason / [email protected] 18 Faulty Logic, Half-truths and Innuendos Proofreader: Erika Wolfe The Liberal Party Fans the Flames of Xenophobia Cover photo by: Gulli On cover: Ingi Phuoc Du as Ketkrókur (Meat Snatcher) Music & Nightlife Make-up: Auður Valdís Grétarsdóttir Costume provided by the National Museum of Iceland. 22 An Appreciated Invasion of Flying Stars and Inflated Santas Special thanks to Gallerí Kjöt. Sufjan Stevens wows his fans at Fríkirkjan Printed by: Prentsmiðja Morgunblaðsins printing press 23 The Sugarcubes Reconnect and Eventually Triumph # copies: 30.101 A nostalgic reunion show at Laugardalshöll The Reykjavík Grapevine can be found in: Reykjavík, Akureyri, Egilsstaðir, Selfoss, Keflavík and at key locations around road 24 CD Reviews #1 and at all major tourist attractions and tourist information centres. Are you planning an event? Do you want to tell us something? Outside Reykjavík Send a press release to: [email protected] We are always looking for articles. Send your submissions to: [email protected] 32 Swim Naked and Sing Your Heart Out in Helsinki The Grapevine goes to Finland Are you interested in working for the Reykjavík Grapevine (or the other way around)? contact: [email protected] Info. You may not like it, but at least it's not sponsored. (No articles in the Reykjavík Grapevine are pay-for articles. B01 Listings The opinions expressed are the writers’ own, not the advertisers’.) B08 Dining, Eating and Grubbing The Reykjavík Grapevine is published 18 times a year by Fröken ltd. Monthly from November through April, and bi-weekly (fortnightly) from May til October. Noth- B09 Bezt í Heimi: Thorvaldsen’s Bazar ing in this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the publishers. Although the magazine has endeavored to ensure B10 Ultimate Survival Guide that all information inside the magazine is correct, prices and details may be subject to change. Subscribe to the Reykjavík Grapevine by visiting www.grapevine.is. Subscription inquiries: subscribe@grapevine and +354 540 3605 From the Editor’s Chair As the holiday spirit consumes me, let ruptcy by blaming foreigners for every We also put you on the scene of the me present my early Christmas present conceivable future problem the country third EVE Online Fanfest, a nerdy gath- to you: Dear Readers, an all new look to might eventually run into. Their dis- ering of epic proportions, on the scene your favorite magazine, The Reykjavík course does nothing but show-off their of the Sugarcubes’s reunion, on the Grapevine. With the publication stand- complete moral and ideological bank- scene with Sufjan Stevens, and bring ing at a juncture, this being our 51st is- ruptcy. As much as the Liberal Party has you all the right reasons for why teen- sue, we thought this would be an excel- tried to deny it, they have firmly placed agers should be locked up between the lent time to change things up a bit. themselves in the company of Jean-Ma- age of 16 to 21. I am also proud to announce: An rie Le Pen, Jurg Haider and Christoph Other cool stuff we did last month? aluminium smelting plant, a heavily Blocher. We now have our very own, We swam naked in Helsinki, and disputed dam-project (built to power Guðjón Arnar Kristinsson. danced with the Christmas Cat. Yes, we said aluminium smelting plant), and the This issue’s feature reveals some of live dangerously and, curiously enough, Icelandic northwest’s capital are among the most blatant propaganda in the Lib- live to tell the tale – over and over again the places that The Reykjavík Grapevine eral Party’s discourse. As much as this – for your amusement. will claim as its own as of this issue and should be an unnecessary act, serious Drink, be merry, and enjoy the fes- onwards. I am of course talking about attempts by the Icelandic media to call tivities. We’ll see you all again in the the Kárahnjúkar dam-site, Reyðarfjörður the Liberal Party on their B.S. have been New Year (those of you using the Gre- smelting plant Fjarðarál, and legendary lacking or unsuccessful. gorian calendar at least, after all, we are home to Mugison and the Mudball On a lighter note, and in spirit of a multicultural magazine). And Happy tournament alike, Ísafjörður. the season, we also bring you a how-to Holidays to you all. The issue of immigration has guide for all things Christmas, from eat- weighed heavily on people in the last ing out, gift shopping and decorations, few weeks. The Liberal party has re- to the most in-depth discussion of this sponded to their own political bank- year’s Christmas book titles. 04_RVK_GV_ISSUE18_006_LETTERS REYKJAVÍK_GRAPEVINE_ISSUE18_006_NEWS_0 Complaints, criticism, suggestions, praise, money, anything at all: Contact [email protected] or send your mail to: The Reykjavík Grapevine, Vesturgata 5, 101 Reykjavík. News in Brief Dear Grapevine Readers, rity has been the largest group of sit in Iceland was with without in- The past weeks media reports immigrants in Iceland for the past cident. There was only one person Text by Haukur Magnússon, Sveinn Birkir Björnsson, Steinunn Jakobsdóttir and Virginia Zech have been overwhelmed by the years, still is, and it’s growing. I am who remarked how much they lo- immigration issue in Iceland. So writing in particular about the Po- ved black people’s teeth because far the only beneficiary of this talk lish, as for many in Iceland it is sy- they were so white. As this state- Pilots To Bypass Iceland CAMB’s statement closes by saying that it not be used to spread fear, distrust and racism soon became apparent that Shomr’s visit had is the “Liberal Party” which gained nonimous to the new EU members ment was made in a way that was The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is is the movement’s sincere hope that their in our society. We have seen many examples been rushed in anticipation of the protest, a noticeable rise of supporters in which is also their biggest fear. At meant to be a compliment, I wasn’t asking pilots and owners of private jets to requests will be met with the fullest regard from abroad where racists have used a wor- the hundred or so (as estimated by Reykja- the recent poll conducted for Frét- the same time the unemployment offended – though it did make me consider by-passing Iceland as a fuel stop “[…] so as to avoid Icelandic government of- thy cause or concern to catch a few votes. All vík police) peaceful protestors were in good tablaðið (it’s worth mentioning rate in Iceland has been constantly feel like a horse, and I did refrain until Iceland agrees to cease illegal whaling ficials participation in a meeting that will pre- negative discourse on a religion or race harms spirits, sporting banners and signs bearing that according to the previous poll dropping or being at the mini- from smiling with my lips parted. activities. sumably be used to plan criminal activities.” our society and adds to division within it.” slogans such as “Free Palestine”, “Israel = from last August the party could mum. This gives me and many But, that’s beside the whole point. According to Captain Paul Watson, Presi- Morgunblaðið has since the discussion Terrorist State” and “Down With The Wall” count on merely 2% of votes). The others non-economists an obvious Thank God for Gabriele. Please dent of Sea Shepherd, the idea to came from arose reported that about 7,000 foreigners as the diplomats conversed inside.