EYRÍKI
EYRÍKI is the Icelandic word for an independent island nation. But it could also mean a cut off community or someone who stands alone. The beauty of Icelandic as a language, means that there are many nuances.
Grímsey
Grímsey is an island 60km off the northern coast if Iceland It is the most remote community in the country, and has a population of about 35 people. It has been continuously inhabited for over 800 years. It has had strategic importance for the international fishing boundaries of iceland, and has been a refuge for bandits and outlaws.
The events
On September 21st 2022, the church on Grímsey which had originally been built in 1876, burned to the ground in a storm. The community immediately launched a national campaign to rebuild. Sadly, a great deal of local history and artefacts were lost in the fire.
The filmmaker
So when he was not carrying wood, or banging nails, Nikolai was shooting the assembly of the film. He took an opportunity to join the small construction team of four people who had been contracted to rebuild the church in April 2022 and decided to bring along a camera as he had a feeling there might be a film in it.