Future of Hope

In October 2008, Iceland was hit hard by the financial crisis. The system of loans and living on credit, which the islanders had become far too accustomed to, collapsed like a house of cards. At that moment, it became clear to Icelanders that they would have to begin again and, above all, do things differently. And because they say anything is possible in Iceland (where people are able to grown roses beyond the Arctic Circle), the country experienced an unprecedented boom in new approaches to sustainable development. An upsurge in organic farming as well as the use of renewable resources and the strengthening of civic engagement gave Icelanders a new lease of life. It is not just workers from the island's Ministry of Ideas who hope that their country can become a platform for testing new, nature-friendly technologies. On his trips to Iceland, British documentary-maker Henry Bateman talked to many local politicians, people from the cultural sphere, and farmers. He encountered enormous determination and a positive attitude everywhere. His film, which includes plenty of wonderful footage of Iceland's fascinating natural landscape, shows that this country that has been chastened by the financial crisis could soon set an example for the rest of the world. (One World)