Hrafn Gunnlaugsson

Directing

Hrafn Gunnlaugsson

Born 1948-06-17 · Reykjavik, Iceland

Hrafn Gunnlaugsson (born 17 June 1948; Reykjavik) is an Icelandic film director. He is the brother of mathematician Þorvaldur Gunnlaugsson and the lawyer Snædís Gunnlaugsdóttir and the actress Tinna Gunnlaugsdóttir. He is mostly known for his series of Viking films, sometimes called "Cod Westerns". He was married to Edda Kristjánsdóttir and they have four children: Kristján born 1968 who is a poet and playwright, Tinna who is an actress, Sól who is an art designer and Örk who is an artist and was born in 1993. He won the award for Best Director at the 20th Guldbagge Awards for When the Raven Flies.

Acting credits

Behind the camera

Ingmar Bergman in Iceland poster
NR

Based on an interview with Ingmar Bergman and footage taken during the director's visit to the Reykjavík Art Festival in 1986, this film focuses on Mr. Bergman's methods and philosophy on film direction.

Ingmar Bergman in Iceland

1989

Who is... poster
7.5

Sveinn, a musician with writer's block decides to apply for a teaching position in a boarding school where he intends to work on his music, but things don't go according to plan.

Who is...

1983

The Sacred Mound poster
5.3

A seven-year-old boy is sent to a farm on a remote island, when his mother goes abroad. On the island the boy gets to know a twenty-year-old woman who seems willing to take on a mother's role. But the boy is reaching an age of sexual awareness and instead of regarding her as a mother figure; he falls obsessively in love with her.

The Sacred Mound

1993

The Sacred Mound poster
5.3

A seven-year-old boy is sent to a farm on a remote island, when his mother goes abroad. On the island the boy gets to know a twenty-year-old woman who seems willing to take on a mother's role. But the boy is reaching an age of sexual awareness and instead of regarding her as a mother figure; he falls obsessively in love with her.

The Sacred Mound

1993

The Sacred Mound poster
5.3

A seven-year-old boy is sent to a farm on a remote island, when his mother goes abroad. On the island the boy gets to know a twenty-year-old woman who seems willing to take on a mother's role. But the boy is reaching an age of sexual awareness and instead of regarding her as a mother figure; he falls obsessively in love with her.

The Sacred Mound

1993

Whiplash poster
NR

Renowned photographer, Larus, returns to Iceland to attend the funeral of his mother. With him is his wife Rose, twenty years his junior. With his homecoming, Larus begins to reminisce on his childhood, and becomes distant from his wife. Soon she begins to realize that not everything is as it should be.

Whiplash

1980

Father's Estate poster
7.5

A country boy has to quit school in Reykjavík and move back home.

Father's Estate

1980

Father's Estate poster
7.5

A country boy has to quit school in Reykjavík and move back home.

Father's Estate

1980

Everything Sweet poster
8.0

Two seven years old boys ask God to fulfill their biggest wish and give them chewing gum. This film is based on a short story by Davíð Oddsson, the Prime Minister of Iceland 1991-2004.

Everything Sweet

1992

The Revelation poster
3.5

The Icelandic parliament has been presented with a bill which will allow the Institute for State Supervision to create a SuperCode Databank which will centralize all other databanks based on personal ID numbers; with this SuperCode the Institute can follow and monitor everyone’s behavior. Hannes, a middle-aged man who still lives with his aging mother, works at the Institute, and he is the originator of the idea. Hannes has already secretly started working on it on his computer, even though it is uncertain that Parliament will agree to it. Hannes is in love with Stefania, the new secretary in the Institute, and hopes to impress her with his “private” SuperCode Databank. But one day, Hannes’s computer, containing the databank, is stolen. Hannes is afraid of the consequences if it is discovered he has been working on the SuperCode illegally. He starts trying to catch the thief himself only to become a victim of the very systems he has believed in and worked so hard to strengthen.

The Revelation

2004

The Revelation poster
3.5

The Icelandic parliament has been presented with a bill which will allow the Institute for State Supervision to create a SuperCode Databank which will centralize all other databanks based on personal ID numbers; with this SuperCode the Institute can follow and monitor everyone’s behavior. Hannes, a middle-aged man who still lives with his aging mother, works at the Institute, and he is the originator of the idea. Hannes has already secretly started working on it on his computer, even though it is uncertain that Parliament will agree to it. Hannes is in love with Stefania, the new secretary in the Institute, and hopes to impress her with his “private” SuperCode Databank. But one day, Hannes’s computer, containing the databank, is stolen. Hannes is afraid of the consequences if it is discovered he has been working on the SuperCode illegally. He starts trying to catch the thief himself only to become a victim of the very systems he has believed in and worked so hard to strengthen.

The Revelation

2004

Victory poster
NR

Tells the story of the last day in the life of a dictator who knows that this time he won't be victorious.

Victory

1976

Keramik poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Keramik

1976

In the Shadow of the Raven poster
6.2

Trausti returns to Iceland just in time to be entangled in a family feud over a stranded whale-cadaver. His mother (the family head) is mortally wounded and Grim kills Erikur; the other clan leader. Isold, daughter of Erikur now takes his place. Isold and Trausti are attracted to each other, but Isold was promised to Hjoerleifur - the son of the Bishop (of Iceland) and his powerful wife. However, Isold has a plan...

In the Shadow of the Raven

1988

In the Shadow of the Raven poster
6.2

Trausti returns to Iceland just in time to be entangled in a family feud over a stranded whale-cadaver. His mother (the family head) is mortally wounded and Grim kills Erikur; the other clan leader. Isold, daughter of Erikur now takes his place. Isold and Trausti are attracted to each other, but Isold was promised to Hjoerleifur - the son of the Bishop (of Iceland) and his powerful wife. However, Isold has a plan...

In the Shadow of the Raven

1988

When the Raven Flies poster
6.6

Vikings pillage Ireland, seeking silver and slaves, slaying men and women in the process. A young boy is spared when a Viking takes pity on him instead of killing him. Twenty years later the boy returns to Iceland take his revenge.

When the Raven Flies

1984

When the Raven Flies poster
6.6

Vikings pillage Ireland, seeking silver and slaves, slaying men and women in the process. A young boy is spared when a Viking takes pity on him instead of killing him. Twenty years later the boy returns to Iceland take his revenge.

When the Raven Flies

1984

Another Look at Reykjavik poster
7.0

Hrafn Gunnlaugsson who put the Icelandic film industry on the world map in the seventies with films set in modern Iceland and the Viking age - here takes on the documentary form in a way only a feature film director could. Giving his imagination full scope, the director creates image of an alternative future - presents a diffrent view of the capital, Reykjavik, and questions accepted ideas about his country, Iceland.

Another Look at Reykjavik

2000

Another Look at Reykjavik poster
7.0

Hrafn Gunnlaugsson who put the Icelandic film industry on the world map in the seventies with films set in modern Iceland and the Viking age - here takes on the documentary form in a way only a feature film director could. Giving his imagination full scope, the director creates image of an alternative future - presents a diffrent view of the capital, Reykjavik, and questions accepted ideas about his country, Iceland.

Another Look at Reykjavik

2000

The White Viking poster
6.6

Norway in the 10th century. Askur, son of the powerful Thorgeir marries Embla, daughter of one of the few remaining landowners in Norway, in a pagan ceremony. King Olav, a ruthless christian, wants to eredicate all traces of non-christian beliefs and captures the two of them during the ceremony. In order to free Embla, Askur must go to Iceland and convert the people there to catholicism.

The White Viking

1991

The White Viking poster
6.6

Norway in the 10th century. Askur, son of the powerful Thorgeir marries Embla, daughter of one of the few remaining landowners in Norway, in a pagan ceremony. King Olav, a ruthless christian, wants to eredicate all traces of non-christian beliefs and captures the two of them during the ceremony. In order to free Embla, Askur must go to Iceland and convert the people there to catholicism.

The White Viking

1991

Witchcraft poster
5.1

The young and fanatical Jon is appointed pastor to a remote church in 15th century Iceland. As is custom, he marries the widow of his predecessor, a woman much older than he is. He is ardent in his fight against Satan, and the villagers don't dare to question his authority. When he falls for a beautiful young woman, Jon is convinced witchcraft is at work, and his crusade leads to cruel executions of innocent people. The stronger his lust, the deeper his madness drives him in his religious fervor.

Witchcraft

1999

When It Happens poster
7.0

A young boy is spending the summer on his uncle's horse farm. He takes care of the sheep and plays cowboy but is suddenly drawn into the world of adults when his uncle meets the woman of his dream. The boy follows how his uncle tries to seduce this beautiful lady - with both happy and tragedic consequences.

When It Happens

1998

When It Happens poster
7.0

A young boy is spending the summer on his uncle's horse farm. He takes care of the sheep and plays cowboy but is suddenly drawn into the world of adults when his uncle meets the woman of his dream. The boy follows how his uncle tries to seduce this beautiful lady - with both happy and tragedic consequences.

When It Happens

1998