Documentary explores bilingual childhood of multicultural families in Iceland

A new documentary aimed at children explores the life of a four-year-old girl whose parents come from different countries. This film focuses on the experience of being bilingual and the realities faced by many children in Iceland today.

Isey Ava, the main character, is a four-year-old girl with an Icelandic mother and an Estonian father. She speaks Icelandic with her mother and Estonian with her father. “We are peering into the world of children who have parents in different countries,” explains director Linda Ásgeirsdóttir.

Linda is producing the film alongside Hrefna Hallgrímsdóttir. Together, they run the production company Skrítla ehf., previously known as Skoppa and Skrítla. “We have been filming children for twenty years, capturing both kids and animals, which many consider to be difficult subjects, but this was incredibly fun and went smoothly,” Linda adds.

The documentary aims to provide a contemporary insight into the experiences of multicultural families in Iceland, reflecting a growing aspect of the country’s demographic landscape.