Sigur Rós, the world’s most popular Icelandic post-rock band, is back out on tour of the U.S. currently, playing with full orchestras in most cities, including the Wordless Music Orchestra for their East Coast run.
Formed in 1994 in Reykjavík, the band comprises lead vocalist and guitarist Jón Þór “Jónsi” Birgisson, bassist Georg Hólm and keyboardist Kjartan Sveinsson. They’ve released eight studio albums, and attracted both critical and commercial success throughout their long career.
I’ve always appreciated the group’s music, but I’ve always associated it most closely with the movies. Here are the 5 best examples of their use in film:
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“Hoppipolla”, Children of Men (Trailer)
The group’s 2005 song has been all over the place, from TV commercials to ads for the Planet Earth TV show to the Will Ferrell movie Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. But I’ll always associate it most with the trailer for Alfonso Cuaron’s 2006 Children of Men:
“Varðeldur”, Captain Fantastic
This 2012 song was featured in Matt Ross’ 2016 film that starred Viggo Mortensen as a survivalist dad off in the wilderness with his kids. The song soundtracks a fateful scene in the film:
“Svefn-g-englar”, Vanilla Sky
Cameron Crowe’s 2001 film, starring Tom Hanks, isn’t all that well-remembered, but at least Crowe, as is his wont, chose a potent soundtrack, including this 1999 song by the Icelandic band. Sigur Ros, however, later “regretted” having their music used in the film, although other uses around that time were less controversial.
“Staralfur”, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Wes Anderson’s 2004 Costeau homage is better known for its David Bowie songs, both in English and Portuguese. Still, one of its best musical moments is this, the emotional climax of the film, in which Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) and his entire crew gather to watch the tiger shark that Steve has vowed to kill. But they’re all astonished by the beauty:
“Festival”, 127 Hours
For the most part, Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours isn’t all that great a movie. But its ending is masterful, featuring one of the best music uses in a movie I’ve ever seen. Sigur Ros’ “Festival” slowly builds up as Aron Ralston (James Franco) is rescued after he was trapped under a rock for five days, with a crescendo hitting as the helicopter arrives.
What’s your favorite use of Sigur Rós in the movies?
CULTURE (counter, pop, and otherwise) and the people who shape it.
