No Makeup

Director: Monika Konarzewska
Release Year: 2022

No Makeup, directed by Monika Konarzewska, is a documentary that offers an intimate exploration of queer life in Iceland through the eyes of expatriate drag queens and kings. The film blends elements of documentary and performance art, showcasing the experiences of these performers as they prepare for their drag shows. The documentary became widely recognized for its poignant storytelling, winning Best LGBT Documentary at the Berlin Documentary Film Festival and earning Konarzewska the Best Director, Documentary award at the Berlin Indie Film Festival.

Against the Current

Director: Oskar Pall Sveinsson
Release Year: 2020

Original title: Á móti straumnum

Against the Current, a 2020 documentary directed by Óskar Páll Sveinsson, chronicles the extraordinary journey of Veiga Grétarsdóttir, a woman who defied both literal and figurative currents in her life. Grétarsdóttir, the first person in the world to attempt to kayak the 1,300-mile circumference of Iceland, embarks on a challenge that has been compared to the feat of climbing K2. Her journey, however, extends beyond the physical realm, as the film also delves into her deeply personal struggle to transition from male to female.

The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela

Director: Olaf de Fleur Johannesson
Release Year: 2008

"The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela" (2008), directed by Icelandic filmmaker Olaf de Fleur Johannesson, is a unique and thought-provoking film that deftly blends documentary-style filmmaking with elements of fiction. It tells the story of Raquela Rios, a transgender woman from Cebu City, Philippines, who dreams of escaping the harsh realities of life on the streets and starting anew in Paris. Through Raquela’s journey, the film explores the complexities of gender identity, exploitation, and the pursuit of dreams, while also navigating the blurred line between documentary and narrative cinema.