GRANDMA LO-FI TRAILER
GRANDMA LO-FI
The Basement Tapes of Sigríður Níelsdóttir
Directed by Kristín Björk Kristjánsdóttir, Orri Jónsson & Ingibjörg Birgisdóttir
Animation by Ingibjörg Birgisdóttir & Magnús Helgason
Produced by Sæmundur Nordfjörd for Republik Productions,
co-produced by Louise H. Johansen
At the tender age of 70 she started recording and releasing her own music straight from her living room. 7 years later she had 59 albums to her name with more than 600 songs; an eccentric myriad of catchy compositions mixing in her pets’ purrs and coos, found toys, kitchen percussion and casio keyboards. Before long the musician and visual artist, Sigríður Níelsdóttir, became an adored cult figure in the Icelandic music scene, represented here by her young apprentices Mugison, múm, Sin Fang, Hildur Guðnadóttir, Mr. Silla and Kría Brekkan who pay tribute to the grandma’s irresistible tunes and charm.
Shot mostly on Super-8 and 16 mm film GRANDMA LO-FI was created over a period of 8 years by three musicians debuting as directors, capturing the most creative period in the life of Sigríður Níelsdóttir.
In many ways Sigríður is like a cartoon character. Poetic moves such as taking in broken-winged pigeons that in return sing along to her tunes or transform a cream whisk into a helicopter, all call for animated sequences that bridge the obscure space between her exemplary imagination and a delightfully peculiar everyday existence.
GRANDMA LO-FI is a cinematic tribute to an amazing musician and her boundless creativity.
WITHOUT MEMORY I 2011
Music by Skuli Sverrisson from his album Seria II.
Film by Kristin Björk Kristjansdottir.
Camera: Kristin Björk & Magnus Helgason.
A Great Divide I 2011
Music by Dustin O’Halloran from his album Lumiere.
Film by Kristín Björk Kristjánsdóttir.
There’s More than One Way to Dance I 2011
Music by Tom Brosseau from his album Grand Forks.
Film by Kristín Björk Kristjánsdóttir.
Camera: Kristín Björk & Magnús Helgason.
SPONTANEOUS KINDNESS I 2006
Music by Skuli Sverrisson from his album Seria.
Film by Kristín Björk Kristjánsdóttir, created for a live performance.
ROMANTIC UNDEAD I 2005
Installation. Reykjavik Art Museum, Kjarvalstadir. Reykjavik.
Screened inside a cocoon made of heavy black velvet.