Floria Sigismondi's Sigur Ros Finale
Icelandic group Sigur Ros gave a dozen filmmakers the same modest budget and commissioned them to each create a short film inspired by Valtari. The Valtari Mystery Film Experiment was driven by the idea of giving the filmmakers complete creative freedom to present their own emotional interpretation. Floria Sigismondi created the final installment of the 16-part series with ‘Leaning Towards Solace’, a moving visual counterpart set to Sigur Ros’ tracks “Dauðalogn” and “Varúð”. The film was produced by Black Dog Films.
The film features actress and fashion darling Elle Fanning. She plays Sara, the pixie-like, pirouetting daughter of a self-doubting, hard-drinking father, played by the great John Hawkes. Against the backdrop of a desolate, desert slum, we see their seemingly terminal relationship revealed in glimpses of heart-wrenching beauty.
Sigismondi’s history with Sigur Ros spans nearly 10 years, having directed the band’s video for Untitled, which won the Best International Video Award at the 2003 MTV European Awards. On interpreting her vision for the Valtari Mystery Film Experiment, Sigismondi says she was naturally inspired.
“Sigur Ros' music always evokes a strong emotional feeling in me,” remarks Sigusmondi. In ‘Leaning Towards Solace’, the ephemeral Sara awaits the imminent death of her father. "This film is about the fine line between keeping it together and the feeling of helplessness when life just doesn't work any longer.”
Behind the lens, Sigismondi paints a mesmerizing picture of sad beauty. The cinematic ‘Leaning Towards Solace’ reflects the non-traditional creative approach to music projects shared by director Floria Sigismondi and Black Dog Films producer Coleen Haynes.
“The story is not only about sorrow, but about hope, love and the loss of fear, rebirth and reincarnation. The idea that we possibly have travelled through time with the same souls in different roles,” explains Sigismondi.
Sigismondi has also lent her painterly vision (attributed to her multi-faceted fine arts background) to provocative videos for artists such as David Bowie, The Cure, Bjork, Katy Perry, Pink, Marilyn Manson, Fiona Apple and Leonard Cohen. She is perhaps best known for her debut feature film ‘The Runaways’ starring Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning, and is currently developing her second movie.
CREDITS:
Sigur Ros 'Leaning Towards Solace'
Director: Floria Sigismondi
Girl: Elle Fanning
Father: John Hawkes
Baby: Ever Rabineau
Producer: Coleen Haynes
Exec Producer: Jules Daly
DP: Starr Whitesides
Production Designer: David Wilson
Hair: Benjamin Mohapi
Stylist: Marjan Malakpour
Make Up: Erin Ayanian-Monroe
