WONDERS OF WATER - dir. PÁLL STEINGRÍMSSON

Synopsis
Water is one of the most amazing substances on earth. It contradicts almost all of the rules of physics and chemistry. For instance, it has the unique characteristic of expanding and growing lighter when it becomes solid. All other substances grow heavier upon turning solid and contract as the temperature decreases. This is what causes ice to float on top of water, instead of collecting on the bottom, which makes all the difference for aquatic life and in fact for all life on earth. In addition, water has the highest specific heat of any substance, which makes it a superb heat reservoir and heat equaliser. Without water, the earth would be a desert because of fluctuations in heat.

Nowhere in the world is there access to study the varied behaviour of water like in Iceland. The tremendous open North Atlantic, numerous lakes, roaring waterfalls, clear rivers and muddy glacier rivers, which flood large areas when frequent eruptions occur under the glaciers. Vatnajökull is the biggest glacier in Europe with numerous icecaves. Geothermal areas, hot mudpools and geysers. This has encouraged us to concentrate on Iceland in a film about this remarkable element.

Original title: Undur vatnsins
English title: Wonders of Water
Genre: Documentary
Language: English

Director: Páll Steingrímsson
Scriptwriter: Páll Steingrímsson, Finnbogi Rögnvaldsson
Narrator: Martin Regal
Editor: Páll Steingrímsson
Cinematographer: Fridthjofur Helgason
Sound design: Magnús Egilsson
Music: Áskell Másson
Producers: Páll Steingrímsson
Production company: KVIK Film Productions
International sales & distribution: KVIK Film Productions
National sales & distribution: KVIK Film Productions
Website: www.kvikfilm.is

Country: Iceland
Sound: Gísli Steingrímsson, Ólafur Ragnar Halldórsson
Length: 52 min.
Screening format: DVCam, DVD
Production format: DVCam
Film gauge/aspect ratio: 16/9
Premier date and year: 17. February 2009
Premier city and theatre: Háskólabíó, Reykjavík

Festivals
Japan Wildlife Film Festival 2009

Awards
Encouragement award at the Japan Wildlife Film Festival 2009