Islenska: On the road to unearth Iceland’s secrets
Watch Islenska: Part One
Watch Part Two / Watch Part Three / Watch Part Four / Watch Part Five
The Documentary
Lured by timeless volcanoes, sweeping glaciers, crashing ocean waves and medieval-like landscapes, a media “SWAT” team descends on Iceland to unearth the country’s secrets and untold stories. A trio of journalists and friends, Jordan Campbell (writer), Ace Kvale (photographer) and Cécile Cusin (filmmaker) are all passionate ski mountaineers, but committed to go beyond the obvious mountain adventure – and dig deeper.
In this lighthearted yet distinct adventure documentary, the team experiences and chronicles Iceland’s powerful forces of nature; from Iceland’s geothermal power source bubbling miles under the surface to the 100 mile per hour winds of Hvannadahlshnukur – Iceland’s highest peak. The media trio also discovers the country’s myth, legend, lore and stumbles on secrets sewn into the tapestry of the Icelandic culture for hundreds of years.
Written and directed by French filmmaker, Cécile Cusin, Islenska is a Nuevo-style documentary that celebrates Iceland’s remarkable people and natural beauty and one team’s vision of what is “Icelandic.” The film also includes music from Icelandic music artists Wulfgang and Hermigervill.
A Marmot production in association with Icelandair – Produced by Jordan Campbell – Narrated by Andy Meyer – Original soundtrack courtesy of Icelandic artists Wulfgang and Hermigervill and artists Tryad and Martin Herzberg – Featuring Marmot Athletes, Jordan Campbell and Ace Kvale – Written, directed and edited by Cécile Cusin – RT 25 min – all zones – widescreen – (copyright) 2007 Cécile Cusin – all rights reserved.
The Media ‘SWAT’ Team
Cécile Cusin
23-year-old French Filmmaker, Cécile Cusin proves her diverse artistic talents directing her first film, “Islenska, on the road to unearth Iceland’s secrets…” winner of the 2008 Spirit Award for short documentary at the Moondance International Film Festival in Boulder, Colorado (US). Through her distinctive cinematography, writing and editing skills, Cécile brings to life Iceland’s intriguing and compelling stories in the backdrop of the country’s harsh mountain environment in this Nuevo-style adventure documentary film. A self-taught filmmaker – born and raised in the Haute Savioe region of the French Alps – Cécile’s goal is to use filmmaking in an artistic and entertaining way, sharing experiences and knowledge for an ever-richer human experience. She has worked for several European and American outdoor companies including Petzl, Marmot, Icelandair, Serac Adventure Films and Aspen Grassroots Television. (cecile.cusin.free.fr/Islenska).
Jordan Campbell
Inspired by over twenty years of international climbing, skiing and high-altitude expeditions, Jordan Campbell has emerged as a dedicated journalist of mountain culture. Through his writing and photography, he continues to document many of the stories and adventures born high on the world’s lofty peaks and shared by the tribe of mountain people. On his Icelandic sojourn with Cécile and Ace, Jordan takes on two unique writing assignments. In his article, “Beneath the Surface of Iceland” featured in Wend magazine, Jordan chronicles Icelanders belief in supernatural forces and Iceland’s leadership role in clean, renewable geothermal power. For Men’s Journal Jordan writes a first person testimonial about the revolutionary New Telemark Norm (NTN) ski-binding from Rottefella (Norway) which he ski-tested on the flanks of Iceland’s highest peak – Hvannadalshjnukur (2100 meters).
Ace Kvale
It is difficult to imagine a photographer with a list of world-wide adventures to his credit – more than Ace Kvale. Through years of participating on international expeditions, Ace has formed a bond with the people of those far-flung countries. With an inspired new focus Ace now documents vanishing cultures and children in need through photographic essay www.acekvale.com. In his fifteen-year career as an adventure photographer for Marmot, Ace’s images have been appreciated by audiences of passionate skiers, climbers and adventure travelers world-wide. For the Islenska project, Ace captures indigenous Icelanders, the media “SWAT” team’s unique road-trip adventure and the Iceland’s four defining and naturally occurring elements of wind, water, fire and ice.
*All photos this page by Ace Kvale
Special Thanks
Tom Fritz - Vice President of Marketing, Marmot
Andy Meyer - Sponsorship Manager, Marmot
Melissa Andretta - Icelandair
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