Ásthildur Kjartansdóttir is a director, writer, and producer. Her films have screened at film festivals around the world. Two of her documentaries were nominated for Best Documentary by the Icelandic Film and Television Academy at the Edda Awards, and two of her dramas were nominated for the Icelandic DV Cultural Prize.
“The Deposit” premiered at the 2019 Edinburgh Film Festival on June 22.
W&H: Describe the film for us in your own words.
AK: It explores the fine line between kindness and cruelty when our self-interest is at stake. It is a story that forces us to look into our souls and remind ourselves of the importance of understanding and respecting others, even when we risk losing something valuable to us.
Actually, the theme is just as important as the characters and the story.
W&H: What drew you to this story?
AK: “The Deposit” is an exciting story with complex characters. When I read it in 2008, Icelandic society was going through its first waves of immigration and something totally new, and that aroused my interest.
Iceland is the perfect place to nurture this story for maximum emotional impact. The themes are ones that worldwide audiences can relate to—themes of prejudice, racism, and the sensitivities that arise when immigrants and locals mix.
W&H: What do you want people to think about when they are leaving the theater?
AK: This is not a feel-good film. I want people to think about their own feelings and attitude and ask themselves: What would I have done in Gisela’s situation? Am I perhaps like her?
If people feel they want to talk about the film afterwards—even quarrel about it—I am happy.
W&H: What was the biggest challenge in making the film?
AK: Just to tell an important story in my own way and to have impact on people’s minds.
W&H: How did you get your film funded?
AK: The biggest portion of the financing came from the Icelandic Film Fund. But it was also crew-funded, so all members of the crew invested in the film. This finance method is a new model that helped us fund the film.
W&H: What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
AK: I have always been curious and fond of good stories. When I was younger, I worked as a journalist. Some years later I found out that telling stories in films was what I really wanted.
W&H: What’s the best and worst advice you’ve received?
AK: The worst: Just give up and start doing something else.
The best: Stand by yourself and go for it.
W&H: What advice do you have for other female directors?
AK: Just don’t ever give up. If you have faith and a desire to make a film, do it. Don’t ever become a victim of prejudice against female directors.
W&H: Name your favorite woman-directed film and why.
Debra Granik is fantastic. I would love to be able to make films as well as she does. I really liked her latest film, “Leave No Trace,” which is a strong, low-key sensual and visual story about people trying to deal with isolation.
W&H: It’s been over a year since the reckoning in Hollywood and the global film industry began. What differences have you noticed since the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements launched?
AK: Actually, at first I was very optimistic and really believed that changes would finally happen. But honestly it has not changed much yet. Sorry to say.
