Hearing the music of Sigur Ros was a game changer for me. If one experiences the music of Sigur Rós in the correct context, I believe it will change you. When I was introduced to the music of Sigur Rós, I was at a dark time in my life that mainly revolved around a failing relationship that, while I knew it was doomed, was still clinging onto and trying to make work. I was driving home on a dreary day from work listening to the local college station when “Untitled 1 ("Vaka")” started to whir out of my car stereo. I felt myself laying into the song like a cozy bed. The song was so sad, but it was also triumphant and uplifting. I had never heard any music that covered that many emotions in one stroke. I was completely blown away while I cried through the entire song. I was a fan artistically and emotionally from that day on.
Sigur Rós: Heima documents the band returning home from long touring and deciding to play a series of free unannounced performances for the people of their home country, Iceland. Every stop on this epic homebound tour the band makes is unique from a closed down herring factory at Djupavik to the band hometown of Reykjavik. The one thing that is consistent throughout Sigur Rós: Heima is the films absolute jaw dropping and haunting beauty, with some of the most beautiful and creative camera work you will ever see in a documentary of this caliber.
Sigur Rós: Heima, much like the music of the band, needs to be experienced more than just watched or listened too. I suggest a viewing and then just listening to the film without watching it. Either way, you will well up and look to the sky as you mouth Jónsi Birgissons’ verbiage with the backdrop that is the ethereal beauty of Sigur Rós. Sigur Rós: Heima perfectly captures the band's sound and aesthetic that they have strived for for two decades now.
The candid interviews will let you see how down to earth the core members of the band (along with their accompanying string players on the tour) are and how involved they were in planning and picking these incredible locations they were able to play music at. As a musician myself, it would be a dream to be a part of a project of this scope and stature.
Sigur Rós: Heima is an absolute must-see for a fan or non-fan of the band. I guarantee you will walk away a changed person one way or the other.
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-Scott W. Lambert