Who met Nico in Iceland in 1970?
Nico pictured here in her swinging sixties when she rose to fame as a singer with The Velvet Underground. Photo by Fred McDarrah, November 1966/ Screenshot from The SwinginSixties
The Stockfish European Film Festival in Reykjavík which pays tribute to the best of new European cinema takes place between February 19th and March 1st so now is the time to get yourself down to Bíó Paradís on Hverfisgata for a cinematic feast. One of the more obscure but important films on the schedule is Philippe Garrel's Inner Scar or la cicatrice intérieure (1972) starring German chanteuse Nico who became famous as a singer with The Velvet Underground and later for her solo work and collaborations with Jim Morrison and John Cale.
Nico was born Christa Päffgen in 1938 and sang 'All Tomorrows Parties', 'Femme Fatale' and 'Venus in Furs' on Andy Warhol's Velvet Underground & Nico, one of the most influential records of all time. Her deep voice and cold intonation mark an important part of the sixties and she became one of the icons of her time.
Nico, who had abandoned her blonde locks at the time of filming the Inner Scar composed the soundtrack which is featured on her album Desertshore. The boy in the film is her son Ari whom she had with French actor Alain Delon.
The team behind the Stockfish Eruropean Film Festival are reaching out and asking whether anyone remembers a small group of French filmmakers in the summer of 1970 and whether anyone recognises the horse in the picture. Anyone who can give any information are asked to email press@stockfishfestival.is
The Inner Scar is a part of the Discoveries from the Past category which will be a regular part of the festival in the future. Discussions and a panel on the film will take place after the screening on February 25th.
Bíó Paradís, February 25th at 20.30 and March 1st at 18:00.
The Inner Scar is an absurd, poetic film starring Nico and is partly filmed in Iceland. Screenshot/ Philippa Garel
