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![]() THOR'S SAGA / Thors Saga by Ulla Boje Rasmussen THOR'S SAGA is the dramatic tale of an extraordinary Icelandic family and its journey through Iceland's economic ups and downs. As a 14 year old boy, the family's founder, Thor Jensen, left a Danish orphanage to accept an apprenticeship in Iceland. The remote Danish colony was impoverished, but Thor Jensen saw opportunities and a potential in growth. With far-sighted initiatives and innovative business ideas, Thor Jensen worked his way up from nothing to become an extremely wealthy man. He was behind a number of pioneering projects that made Iceland's business community florish. The Icelandic economy became stronger, an important step for Iceland's ability to liberate itself from Denmark and become an independent republic in 1944. The great-grandchild of Thor Jensen is businessman Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson. Thor Björgólfsson found inspiration in his forefather's initiatives and inherited his ability to see opportunities in uncultivated markets. With sensational ventures, Björgólfsson looked beyond Iceland's borders and gained success. Brewery, pharmaceutical and telecommunication industries in the former Eastern Bloc countries had his interest. Björgólfsson then defied his own business strategy, turned focus toward Iceland, and invested in the Icelandic banking system. Here he made his greatest failure. The global financial crisis reached Iceland and threatened with state bankruptcy. Today, Björgólfsson is thought to be one of the key figures to send Iceland into economic pillory. THOR'S SAGA mirrors the tales of the family's first and fourth generations in a unique piece of Nordic business history. It captures the indomitable entrepreneurial spirit in a fateful juncture of individuals and nations. ![]() Production Facts DK/IS, 2011, 90 minutes HDCamSR, Digital Betacam, DK- and UK-versions. Director and script ULLA BOJE RASMUSSEN, Producers HENRIK VEILEBORG and HRÖNN KRISTINSDÓTTIR, Cinematographers LINUS EKLUND, THOMAS MAROTT, HENRIK BOHN IPSEN, ULLA BOJE RASMUSSEN and BERGSTEINN BJÖRGÚLFSSON, Editors METTE ZERUNEITH and PERNILLE BECH CHRISTENSEN, Composer JOACHIM HOLBEK, Sound designer PÉTUR EINARSSON. Produced by UPFRONT FILMS in co-production with TC FILMS with support from Danish Film Institute and Icelandic Film Centre in collaboration with TV2 Denmark and RUV and with support from Nordic Film- & TV Fund and Danish-Icelandic Fund. |
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