đŹđ± Film: What we can learn from Oscar-nominated Ivalu
Press release from Visit Greenland
âIvaluâ has broken Greenlandic history. It is the only live action short film from Greenland which has been nominated for an Academy Award, a huge industry recognition.
- Ivalu is a live action short film which has been nominated for an Academy Award
- Ivalu is a Danish-Greenlandic film produced by M&M Productions, in cooperation with the Greenlandic production company Polarama Greenland
- It was filmed in Nuuk, Kangerlussuaq and the abandoned settlement of Kangeq
But whatâs even more groundbreaking, is the movement that is underway in Greenland: Ivalu is filmed entirely in Greenland, in the Greenlandic language, by Greenlandic actors and supported by an all Greenlandic crew.
Danish Director Anders Walter, whose idea was to adapt the acclaimed graphic novel of the same namesake to film, was in complete support of this constellation. The cooperation worked so well that the film ended up being co-directed by Pipaluk K. JĂžrgensen, who played a key role in the development, casting, and filming process.
âIvaluâ tells the story of Pipaluk, an 11-year-old Greenlandic girl, who goes searching for her missing older sister Ivalu. One night Pipaluk dreams of a raven leading her to her sister, and when a raven appears the next morning, Pipaluk follows it. Greenlandic myths are woven into a poetic journey full of memories that mask a harsh reality.
Greenlandic nature and voice
The social issues touched upon in this movie are interwoven with stunning panoramic motifs of icescapes, Arctic tundra nature, seascape and city life â resulting in a compellingly beautiful film. The film was shot on location in Nuuk, the nearby abandoned settlement of Kangeq, and Kangerlussuaq.
Nevertheless, it took some time for Polarama Greenland to finally decide to join the project. According to Pipaluk K. JĂžrgensen in an exclusive Q&A hosted by Vincent Lambe, the Greenlandic film industry is at a tipping point right now, and stories about Greenland that deal with social problems and colonialism should really be told from a Greenlandic perspective. But after meeting Anders Walter, they decided that they could work together.
âWe donât always want to portray the hard stuff. But when we do it in poetry as this film was, and it ended up like this, I think it is beautiful,â
confirmed Pipaluk
Key takeaways
For filmmakers looking to go to Greenland, Emile Hertling PĂ©ronard, co-owner of Polarama Greenland has the following tips to filming in Greenland
What are the opportunities for the international film industry in Greenland?
Greenland has incredible landscapes, beautiful nature, and stunning light, but its most spectacular features are its people and our culture. In recent years, Greenland has been getting international attention like never before. International crews are coming to shoot documentary films about global warming, news channels are reporting geopolitical stories about the changing Arctic, and filmmakers are intrigued by the complex meetings between so-called traditional Indigenous culture and this new global agenda.
If youâre planning to shoot a film centering Greenlandic issues, we have the crew and the expertise to support you, and to empower you to make an authentic portrayal. Greenland is not an easy location to shoot, but with the right help and preparations, you can get something here that you wonât find anywhere else in the world. Many times, when weâve prepared shoots in Greenland for international projects, the producers seem to think Greenland is this unclimbable mountain. But we can make it easier.
How can the film industry help tourism in Greenland?
Film productions can be an integral part of the tourism eco-system. As more films and TV-series break into the mainstream, we also expect that tourists will want to visit for instance the Icefjord in Ilulissat where the TV-show âBorgenâ was shot or see the abandoned settlement Kangeq from the Oscar-nominated short film âIvaluâ.
Our films help put Greenland on the map, and on the screens worldwide we have a strong platform where we can showcase our country with all the emotions and magic of storytelling. Our work can help build worldwide interest for our locations, so for me itâs a very natural thing that weâre now trying to strengthen our ties with the Greenlandic tourism industry. Together, we can showcase Greenland internationally, and at the same time develop a stronger and more sustainable film industry in Greenland.
How can the local Greenlandic film and tourism community help film crews coming to Greenland?
At Polarama Greenland, we try to be a one stop shop for international film production, where we can provide crew, plan shoots, and even do the casting process. We also advise on content from a cultural and creative point of view, which is extremely important when youâre shooting within an Indigenous culture. There are lots of skilled Greenlandic people that can help, both as technical crew and for more practical on ground services. Greenland also has a filmmakersâ association, FILM.GL, and several tourist operators service film and TV productions. Itâs always advised to work with local providers as we know the conditions better than anyone. And we can make sure the stories are told from the right perspective.
What tips would you give for anyone who wants to make film in Greenland?
Listen to the locals. And be open to schedule changes. In Greenland, the nature is so vast and powerful that you immediately understand that it controls you and not the other way around. When scheduling your shoot, flexibility is essential, so always make room for potential delays due to weather and place your interior shoots late in your schedule so they can be moved forward if needed. When you have a flexible schedule, you can also make use of all the unexpected gifts that shooting in Greenland always provides!
Originally published on 13 March.
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