Rachel McAdams (and Will Ferrell on piano) in Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. – John Wilson / NETFLIX
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga does not shine by its cinematographic qualities but can still dream of winning an Oscar on Sunday, during the 93rd edition of the ceremony. The comedy, which uploaded last year to Netflix, is in the running for the best original song statuette with Husavik.
This title, a stroll on the piano in English and Icelandic, is interpreted at the end of this film recounting the unusual journey of two Icelanders, played by Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdam, in the song contest. The text pays homage to the port village of Husavik, located in the north of Iceland, where the two heroes come from.
In the town of 2,300 souls, it is time for “excitement”, the mayor, Kristjan Thor Magnusson, told AFP. The municipality launched the “An Oscar for Husavik” campaign last month.
“I think we can win”
The floor of the main street was painted red for the occasion. Its inhabitants can therefore walk, too, the red carpet of the stars expected Sunday in Hollywood – including the Swedish Molly Sandén, original performer of the song.
Among the five titles in competition, Speak Now feature film One Night in Miami favored by bookmakers, but Husavik wants to believe in his chances.
“I think we can win,” says actor Sigurdur Illugason, who has lived in the village for 40 years in two promotional videos accumulating more than 90,000 views on YouTube. “The exhibition and everything that revolves around the film and the Oscars were so huge for us that I cannot be disappointed if we do not win”, suggests Hinrik Wöhler, in charge of tourism for the municipality, surprised by the media attention.
Husavik, nicknamed “the European capital of whale watching” because tourists on excursions are almost guaranteed to meet a cetacean, could soon add another fact of glory to its tourist brochures.