New Icelandic documentary directed by Andri Snær Magnason & Anní Ólafsdóttir
Produced by Elsku Rut, Ground Control Productions & Ursus Parvus
Part road movie, part musical, part serious inquiry into the caverns of the mind, The Hero’s Journey to the Third Pole, is at once an artful, sensitive and amusing examination of mental health, told through an unexpected story of friendship. The film follows Anna Tara Edwards, an Icelander raised in Nepal, and legendary musician Högni Egilsson, as they journey to Anna’s childhood home in the mountain jungles to explore the afflictions and superpowers that come with bipolar disorder. Delving into their respective pasts through textured archival footage and home videos, the narrative follows their present-day quest to raise awareness about the disease and come to terms with the impact it’s had on their own lives. From filmmakers Andri Snær Magnason and Anní Ólafsdóttir, The Hero’s Journey to the Third Pole is a delightful, heartfelt and intimate inquiry that expands our understanding of the human heart and mind.
This is the first feature length film of Anni Ólafsdóttir but Andri Snær Magnason previously co-directed Dreamland, based on his book Dreamland – a Self Help Manual for a Frightened Nation. Dreamland was featured in many of the major film festivals such as IDFA, Toronto HotDocs, Göteborg Film Festival, DocPoint Helsinki etc …
Editing: Eva Lind Höskuldsdóttir, Anni Ólafsdóttir and Davíð Alexander Corno
Music: Högni Egilsson
Camera: Anní Ólafsdóttir and Eiríkur Ingi Böðvarsson
Producers: Andri Snær Magnason, Hlín Jóhannesdóttir, Halldóra Þorláksdóttir and Sigurður Gísli Pálmason. The film will be released in cinemas in September 2020.