Axlar-Bjorn, Iceland’s only serial killer, returns

Hafsteinn Hafsteinsson, a graduate from Acting at The Film School, just finished acting in a full length film about Axlar-Bjorn, who is suspected of being Iceland’s only serial killer. We got to ask Hafsteinn a few questions

We began by asking Hafsteinn what film he remembers first being enthralled by

It was “Grease”. I knew all the songs by heart and pretended to swing in the armchair in the living room while I sang the song  “Sandy” over and over again. Of course fell head over heels for Olivia. My sister owned the record and I did not always have access to it. I therefor asked my parents, who were on their way to Spain, to buy the tape. They did. I then excitedly put the tape in the tape recorder and pressed play. It then became apparent that the music was dubbed, Spanish singers sang over all the songs.

Studying Acting was always in the cards for Hafsteinn

I love films and have always been interested in acting and dancing. I dance a lot and have for instance shown Bollywood dancing under the direction of  Yesmine Olsson at The Harpe and more places, and I studied ballroom dancing as a child and am quite the Lindy hopper. My greatest wish is to act in a song and dance musical film. I started acting in commercials around twenty years old and found out that my acting did not get negative comments, so I started to believe that I could do good things as an actor. I then started acting in short films and got decent reviews on my acting. Finally I decided to study acting even though I was quite successful in my job as a mediator and psychology consultant.It was a challenge to leave my comfort zone almost daily but it was amazing studying, difficult but fun. It was extremely important for me to be able to develop and evolve my talents in a protected environment.

And what came next after graduating?

Unfortunately not much, commercials and acting in short films  and a few minor roles in full length films, I then decided that I needed to take things into my own hands, as no one else was going to make my dreams come true. I have therefor been developing and producing a project where I play the main role, direct and write. Situation comedy that will hopefully be shown on television in a year or two, but I have already gotten positive feedback from some heavy hitters in the business.

Hafsteinn has now taken on portraying one of the most infamous Icelander of all times

I have sometimes hoped that I would get an offer to play a depressed, middle aged booze hound, living in the Thingholts. But having said that no one makes your dreams come true, I want to say that finally a talented director and script writer, David Charles Fridbertsson,  offered me a leading role in a very remarkable film, a film even my wildest dreams did not expect me to star in. My first leading role in a full length film is actually a periodic costume film that takes place in the 16th century. I play Axlar-Björn, but he is according to general knowledge the first and only Icelandic serial killer. It is a murder-love story with a very dark sense of humor. The film was recorded by an extremely talented cinematographer that has already filmed 14 full length films. All the framework was very professional and the crew was amazing. The film is now being edited and processed and will be premiering early next year.

We are excited and will of course not miss seeing the film in 2019, the lead being portrayed by a great talent