Earning a nearly ten minute standing ovation following its world premiere at the prestigious Festival de Cannes last May, everyone knew that director Joe Penna had something special with Arctic.
The film, a unique and classic survival tale, utilizes the beauty of its Icelandic setting, capturing the unapologetic qualities of nature as it pits one man against the horrid elements in a fight for his life.But unlike other genre films before it, Penna doesn’t resort to cliches or gimmicks - instead allowing star Mads Mikkelsen to flourish with his authentic portrayal.
The two men sat down with us to discuss the film, the Icelandic weather, and just how the script looks for a film with hardly any dialogue.
About Stephen Davis
I owe this hobby/career to the one and only Stephanie Peterman who, while interning at Fox, told me that I had too many opinions and irrelevant information to keep it all bottled up inside. I survived my first rated R film, Alive, at the ripe age of 8, it took me months to grasp the fact that Julia Roberts actually died at the end of Steel Magnolias, and I might be the only person alive who actually enjoyed Sorority Row…for its comedic value of course. While my friends can drink you under the table, I can outwatch you when it comes iconic, yet horrid 80s films like Adventures in Babysitting and Troop Beverly Hills. I have no shame when it comes to what I like, and if you have a problem with that, then we’ll settle it on the racquetball court. I see too many movies to actually win any film trivia contest, so don’t waste your first pick on me. My friends rent movies from my bookcase shelves, and one day I do plan to start charging. I long to live in LA, where my movie obsession will actually help me fit in, but for now I am content with my home in Austin. I prefer indies to blockbusters, Longhorns to Sooners and Halloween to Friday the 13th. I miss the classics, as well as John Ritter, and I hope to one day sit down and interview the amazing Kate Winslet.
