Hlynur Pálmason: Finding the Grand in the Intimate

Icelandic filmmaker Hlynur Pálmason, born in Höfn in 1984, discusses his latest film 'El amor que permanece' (The Love That Remains), which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival's official selection. Pálmason, who graduated from the National Film School of Denmark in 2013, initially trained in visual arts, influencing his cinematic approach. His previous works include 'Vinterbrødre' (2017), 'Hvítur, Hvítur Dagur' (2019), and 'Godland' (2022). The new film follows a couple's separation over a year in rural Iceland, focusing on family, nature, and the passage of seasons. Pálmason emphasizes the importance of small, intimate things over grand political narratives, and the film features his three children in significant roles, marking their first joint appearance. The director describes the film as deeply personal, shot with a minimal crew and simple equipment to capture authenticity. The narrative explores themes of memory, belonging, and the complexity of human emotions, avoiding clear-cut judgments. Pálmason also addresses the character of an artist mother struggling for recognition, reflecting his own artistic process, including leaving iron artworks outdoors during winter. The film's structure is guided by the changing seasons, which Pálmason uses as a narrative device to explore time and life's rhythms. He notes that the world's brutality and darkness are inherent, and his films aim to reflect that reality without glamorization.