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AROUND ICELAND IN 80 FACEBOOK GROUPS
The Reykjavík Grapevine Issue 16 — 2017 READER'S LETTER
“Family Living: The True Story” A glimpse into the locals home-lives
Dear Grapevine,
Words: Paul Fontaine
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The primary characteristic of Icelandic humour is self-deprecation, and nowhere on Facebook will you find a better The pictures all kind of look like this one, only less stylised example of this than in the group ‘True Story’. Although the posts are written in Icelandic, it is heavy with images and of dirty laundry shoved into corners ourselves how it is that everyone else videos that revolve around one central of laundry rooms, and seven half- can manage to have perfectly clean empty bottles of and orderly homes while we continutheme: the eveK i n g S y r u p o n ally fall short. To be confronted with the ryday conditions “If you’re a parent kitchen shelves. reality that, in fact, literally no family of your typical family home. wracked with guilt, or ' T r u e S t o r y ' home is free from disorder and dishevserves an impor- elment is comforting and reassuring. The group an expecting parent tant function. All If you’re a parent wracked with guilt, features a variety of visual mesetting impossibly high too often, those of or an expecting parent setting imus with families la- possibly high standards for yourself, dia, which will standards for yourself, ment the chaos of this group is for you. It might also be all make you living settings; the group for you if you’re not a parfeel better about this group is for you.” our we berate ourselves ent but are wondering if you have the how you’re livfor being bad par- stomach for it. 'True Story' is a soing— compared to someone else. Get ready for photos ents because our homes are in a per- cial service, and one we welcome. of The Things Under The Couch, piles petual state of disarray, and we ask
WORD OF THE ISSUE
Words: Elías Þórsson
LÓABORATORIUM
I am happy to share with my Icelandic friends that I am in the hospital waiting for my daughter Stefani to give birth to her first child, and my first grand baby girl. Her name will be Selena Rose. Please share this joyful time of my life as I also share with you all, and please send prayers. Your friend from San Antonio Texas! Henry Delgado Dear Henry, Congratulations on becoming a grandfather! We’re delighted that we at Grapevine, of all people, are the ones you’d contact during such a pivotal moment in your life, and your daughter’s as well. We’re truly flattered! Being a grandparent is the sweeter end of the deal; you don’t have to think past the present moment. For instance, watching television for hours with baby girl Selena Rose might turn her into a sociopath—but leave the aftermath to her parents. You get to give all the treats without any of the guilt. When you’re reading her your favorite Grapevine issue at bedtime, we hope it’s a great bonding experience! Good luck! The Reykjavík Grapevine.
Örlagabytta One of the things Icelanders do better than most is alcoholism, which is probably why we have 300 words for drunks. While the availability of good words is extensive, one word beats them all–örlagabytta. It is poetic, magical and laced with Brennivín. Literally it translates as “destiny drunk,” so it gives perfect insight into a society built on Christianity, drunkenness and misery. The idea of destiny is also a nice way of absolving the dipsomaniac of the responsibility for his sorry state. How can you sober up if it’s your destiny to be drunk?
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Flags Of Our Fathers Words: Zoe Vala Sands Picture: Still from the movie
US troops conquer Reykjanes
Apparently, the next best setting for Joe Rosenthal’s famous Iwo Jima photograph was our own volcanic island— specifically, on the Reykjanes peninsula. Clint Eastwood is on top of his game in the film ‘Flags Of Our Fathers.’ He did a pretty excellent job of adapting James Bradley’s 2000 New York Times bestseller to the screen. Like the novel, the film follows the tales of the six flag raisers on Mount Suribachi, depicted in Rosenthal’s famous photograph. I was expecting another Fuck-YeahAmerica war propaganda film, but I must say, this one was more of a reminder of the apparent love-hate re-
lationship the U.S. has with its army veterans. As far as U.S. war movies go, the film does a good job of questioning historical narratives of truth, and reveals the danger of glorifying survivors of war as superheroes, as was done with regard to the battle of Iwo Jima. Regardless of what you think of the history or the film, there’s no denying that Iceland is looking on fleek in this film. Picture this: hunky marines running through ominous oceans and up long stretches of distinctive black sand. The scene is war ‘Baywatch,’ basically. It also features a bunch of Icelanders cast as “uncredited soldiers” and “wounded marines.” Sometimes it's useful to have extras who are up for jumping into the freakishly cold Atlantic ocean. As an Icelander, you might watch the film and go: “Oh hey, it’s that guy I almost asked out.” Maybe satisfying… or maybe not.