Sigurþór Hallbjörnsson, aka Spessi (300 Accordions, 2003; Horse with No Name, 2012), found fame as a photographer but has also ventured into film. His black and white music documentary Megas, skilfully and professionally crafted from start to finish, explores the career of singer and songwriter Magnús Þór Jónsson, better known as Megas. Where did it all begin and what came of it? One of the most popular musicians in Iceland, Megas is known as the Bob Dylan of his home country.
The film is centered around twenty days of concert rehearsals in 2019. Whilst chronicling the proceedings, Hallbjörnsson upholds the music documentary convention of interviewing. Megas and Hallbjörnsson (as the interviewer) both have the floor, as do the songwriter’s colleagues and other prominent figures in the Icelandic music scene, such as music critic Arnar Eggert Thoroddsen and drummer/singer Sigtryggur Baldursson. One music video even features Björk as a backing vocalist!
At times Megas gets free rein to speak his mind. However, in comments such as ‘barbiturates may kill you, but hash and speed won’t’, there’s a sense that he’s being egged on by the director. The film showcases unique archive footage in the form of old interviews and photographs, but still centers on the ineffably sublime music scenes. Such moments need no explanation; the images and music speak for themselves. Rock’n Roll!
Joonas Nykänen