A Little Trip to Heaven (2005)

Director:

Baltasar Kormákur

Writers:

Edward Martin Weinman (co-written by)
Baltasar Kormákur (original story)
(more)

Release Date:

26 December 2005 (Iceland)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

There is no such thing as a no fault death.

Plot:

A husband and wife tangle with an investigator over her dead brother's million-dollar insurance policy.

Plot Keywords:

Fraud | Car Accident | Life Insurance | Life Insurance Policy | TV Commercial

Awards:

4 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

María Fernández Ache	...	Mrs. Rodriguez (as Maria Fernandez-Ache)
Kharl Anton Leigh	...	Young Boy Rodriguez
Peter Coyote	...	Frank
Forest Whitaker	...	Abe Holt
Juan Carlos Pardo Pardo	...	Mr. Rodriguez
Damon Younger	...	Long Haired Man
Jeremy Renner	...	Fred
Joanna Scanlan	...	Josie
Iddo Goldberg	...	Russle
Philip Jackson	...	William
Julia Stiles	...	Isold
Alfred Harmsworth	...	Thor
Vladas Bagdonas	...	Coroner
Felix Eyjólfsson	...	Auto Mechanic
Margrét Ólafsdóttir	...	Elderly lady in the Park
Birgir Sigurðsson	...	Elderly man in a commercial (as Birgir Sigurdsson)
Signý Kristinsdóttir	...	Young Couple #1
Björn Stefánsson	...	Young Couple #1
Pálmi Kormákur Baltasarsson	...	Child #1
Stormur Jón Kormákur Baltasarsson	...	Child #2
Ingibjörg Stefanía Pálmadóttir	...	Jogger #1
Vernharður Þorleifsson	...	Jogger #2 (as Vernhardur Thorleifsson)
Phyllida Law	...	Head Mistress
Anne Reid	...	Martha
Matyelok Gibbs	...	Tall Lanky
Badam Otgontsetseg	...	OLI Receptionist
Darren A. Foreman	...	Bank Manager (as Darren Forman)
Kristina Lankford	...	Bank Teller
Sheikh Aamir Uz-Zaman	...	Taxi Drivers #1
Carlos Mondragon Galera	...	Taxi Drivers #2
Magnús Ingi Magnússon	...	Workers #1
Sigurbrandur Jakobsson	...	Workers #2
Inga Edith Karlsdóttir	...	Josie's Accountant (as Inga Edit Karlsdóttir)
Njördur Njardarson	...	Gas Station Attendant
Adalbjörg Adalbjörnsdóttir	...	Extra
Agnar Jónsson Rink	...	Extra
A.J. Cruse	...	Extra
Agnes Braga Bergsdóttir	...	Extra
Alda Blöndal Hjaltadóttir	...	Extra
Alda Gudrún Jónasdóttir	...	Extra
Alexandra Cruse	...	Extra
Alyssa Hill	...	Extra
Amber Vore	...	Extra
Alyssa Vore	...	Extra (as Alyssy Vore)
Amber Kelly	...	Extra
Amy Nix	...	Extra
Alvin Hugi Ragnarsson	...	Extra
Andri Már Thórarinsson	...	Extra
Anjo Balisacan	...	Extra
Angela Stokes	...	Extra (as Angela Claire Stokes)
Anna Sigrídur Árnadóttir	...	Extra
Anna Björg Hardardóttir	...	Extra
Anna Margrét Magnúsdóttir	...	Extra
Anthony Sud	...	Extra
April E. Adkinsson	...	Extra
Aries D. Early	...	Extra
Arna Ösp Gudbrandsdóttir	...	Extra
Arnar Gísli Jensson	...	Extra
Arngrímur Ívarsson	...	Extra
Aselefech Birhanu Ayana	...	Extra
Atli Björn Helgason	...	Extra
Audur Kolbrá Birgisdóttir	...	Extra
Axel Björnsson	...	Extra (as Axel B. Björnsson)
Ármann Gudmundsson	...	Extra
Árni Helgi Helgason	...	Extra
Árni Kristjánsson	...	Extra
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ómar Björn Ragnarsson	...	Extra
Birgitta Sigursteinsdóttir	...	Extra (2005)
Erlingur Grétar Einarsson	...	Extra (uncredited)
Snorri Hergill Kristjánsson	...	Extra (uncredited)
Ervin Shala	...	Bank-Client (uncredited)
Guðmundur Karl Sigurdórsson	...	Extra (uncredited)
Davíð Þór Þorsteinsson	...	Extra (uncredited)

Directed by
Baltasar Kormákur

Writing credits
Edward Martin Weinman		(co-written by)
Baltasar Kormákur		(original story)
Baltasar Kormákur		(screenplay)

Produced by
Jay Burnley	....	associate producer: Palomar Pictures
Leifur B. Dagfinnsson	....	associate producer (as Leifur Dagfinnsson)
Arni Hansson	....	line producer (as Árni Páll Hansson)
Agnes Johansen	....	co-producer
Jón Ásgeir Jóhannesson	....	executive producer
Baltasar Kormákur	....	producer
Lilja Pálmadóttir	....	executive producer
Sigurjon Sighvatsson	....	producer (as Sigurjón Sighvatsson)

Original Music by
Mugison

Cinematography by
Óttar Guðnason		(as Óttar Gudnason)

Film Editing by
Virginia Katz
Richard Pearson

Casting by
Liora Reich

Production Design by
Karl Júlíusson

Art Direction by
Eggert Ketilsson

Set Decoration by
Atli Geir Grétarsson
Halfdan Pedersen		(as Hálfdán Pedersen)

Costume Design by
Helga I. Stefánsdóttir

Makeup Department
Ragna Fossberg	....	hair stylist
Ragna Fossberg	....	makeup artist
Morten Jacobsen	....	prosthetics
Stefan Jorgen	....	beards (as Stefán Jörgen Ágústsson)
Stefan Jorgen	....	prosthetics assistant (as Stefán Jörgen Ágústsson)

Production Management
Gagga Jonsdottir	....	unit production manager (as Rannveig Jónsdóttir)
Leslie Rodier	....	post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Leifur B. Dagfinnsson	....	first assistant director (as Leifur Dagfinnsson)
Aryn Guiney	....	second assistant director
Silja Hauksdóttir	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Baldvin Örn Arnarson	....	construction assistant
Davíð Örn Arnarson	....	greensman
Halldór Audarson	....	construction assistant
Jóhann Gottfred Bernhöft	....	graphics
Kjartan Björgvinsson	....	set construction
Victor G. Cilia	....	set painter
Björgúlfur Egilsson	....	construction assistant
Eiríkur Einarsson	....	set construction
Gudmundur Erlendsson	....	set construction
Kristrun Eyjolfsdottir	....	set dresser (as Kristrún Eyjólfsdóttir)
Jakob Fenger	....	chief carpenter
Gudjó Gunnbjörnsson	....	set construction
Saethor Helgasson	....	set construction (as Saethór Helgason)
Sveinn Viðar Hjartarson	....	props (as Sveinn Vidar Hjartarson)
Harry Jóhannsson	....	stand by props
Páll Úlfar Júlíusson	....	construction assistant
Kamilla Kaldalóns	....	art department assistant
Örn Kaldalóns	....	computer technician
Jóhannes Karlsson	....	set construction
Orri Karlsson	....	construction assistant
Sveinn Magnússon	....	set construction
Arnthór Margeirsson	....	set construction
Daniel Newton	....	set construction
Pétur Axelsson Ottesen	....	set construction
David Packard	....	set painter
Colin Paul	....	props buyer: Canada
Hafthór Reynisson	....	set construction
Ómar Stefánsson	....	set painter
Stígur Steinthórsson	....	art director: City Square
Michael Sullivan	....	picture vehicles buyer: Canada
Johannes Sverrisson	....	pictures vehicles (as Jóhannes Sverisson)
Óskar Tómasson	....	set construction
Greg Winter	....	set painter
Ólafur Ásmundsson	....	set construction
Thórhildur Ólafsdóttir	....	art department assistant
Ásmundur Ólafsson	....	construction assistant
Atli Geir Grétarsson	....	property master (uncredited)
Karl Júlíusson	....	set designer (uncredited)

Sound Department
Dimitra Drakopoulou	....	dialogue editor
Dimitra Drakopoulou	....	sound editor
Vilhjálmur Godi Fridriksson	....	additional sound effects recordist
Steingrímur Eyfjörd Gudmundsson	....	dialogue editor
Steingrímur Eyfjörd Gudmundsson	....	foley artist
Steingrímur Eyfjörd Gudmundsson	....	foley mixer
Steingrímur Eyfjörd Gudmundsson	....	sound editor
Kjartan Kjartansson	....	sound designer
Kjartan Kjartansson	....	sound re-recording mixer
Nicolas Liebing	....	sound editor
Ingvar Lundberg	....	dialogue editor
Ingvar Lundberg	....	sound editor (as Invar Lundberg)
Ingvar Lundberg	....	sound re-recording mixer
Guðrún Ragna Sigurjónsdóttir	....	assistant sound mixer (as Gudrún Ragna Sigurjónsdóttir)
Guðrún Ragna Sigurjónsdóttir	....	dialogue editor (as Gudrún Ragna Sigurjónsdóttir)
Guðrún Ragna Sigurjónsdóttir	....	sound editor (as Gudrún Ragna Sigurjónsdóttir)
Richard Stockdale	....	dolby consultant
Björn Viktorsson	....	dialog editor
Björn Viktorsson	....	foley mixer
Björn Viktorsson	....	sound editor
Thórdur Árnason	....	trainee
Ester Ásgeirsdóttir	....	dialogue editor
Ester Ásgeirsdóttir	....	sound editor
Mark DeSimone	....	adr mixer: New York (uncredited)
Nicolas Liebing	....	sound effects editor (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Seinbjorn Helgason	....	senior special effects technician (as Sveinbjörn Helgason)
Thorbergur Helgason	....	senior special effects technician
Gunnar Pálsson	....	special effects supervisor
Jon Steinar Ragnarsson	....	additional special effects (as Jón Steinar Ragnarsson)
Baltasar Breki Baltasarsson	....	special effects (uncredited)
Stefan Jorgen	....	rubber iron effects (uncredited)
Johannes Sverrisson	....	special effects (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Ozzie Carmona	....	digital artist
Jennifer Chantnicki	....	digital artist
Thomas Clary	....	digital optical coordinator (as Tom Clary)
Alan De Castro	....	digital artist
Emily Fenster	....	associate visual effects producer
Chris Flynn	....	digital artist
Maureen Healy	....	digital artist
Tom Lamb	....	digital artist
Ladd Lanford	....	visual effects producer
Matt Melis	....	digital artist (as Matthew Melis)
Robert Montgomery	....	digital artist
Jim O'Hagan	....	digital artist (as Jim O'Hagen)
Patrick Phillips	....	digital artist
Matt Seckman	....	digital artist (as Matthew Seckman)
David Sosalla	....	visual effects supervisor
James D. Tittle	....	visual effects coordinator
Francis Yu	....	digital artist (as Francis Cabangis Yu)
Brian Hanable	....	digital effects compositor: Pacific Title (uncredited)
Antonio Torres	....	digital artist: Digital Intermediate, Pacific Title (uncredited)

Stunts
Einar Kári Björnsson	....	diver
Ian Clark	....	stunt engineer: Bickers Action
Aris Comninos	....	stunt performer
Adam Eastall	....	stunt engineer
Kristinn Einarsson	....	diver
Steve Griffin	....	stunt supervisor
Sveinbjörn Hjálmarsson	....	assistant water safety crew
Rob Hunt	....	stunt performer
Charles Jarman	....	stunt performer
Kolbrún Jóhannsdóttir	....	stunt performer
Valdimar Jóhannsson	....	stunt performer
Adam Kirley	....	stunt performer
Árni Kópsson	....	water safety commander
Kim McGarrity	....	stunt performer
Brian Naunton	....	stunt engineer
Alexander Stefánsson	....	diver
Jón Ólafsson	....	assistant water safety crew

Camera and Electrical Department
Sigmar Örn Arnarson	....	additional camera crew
Matt Bardocz	....	best boy electric (as Matthew Bardocz)
Hannes Thór Björgvinsson	....	electrician
Bergsteinn Björgúlfsson	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Elli Cassata	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera (as Erlendur Cassata)
Arnar Einarsson	....	best boy grip (as Arnar Marrow Einarsson)
Pétur Örn Eyjólfsson	....	clapper loader
Árni Filippusson	....	clapper loader
Steingrimur G.H.	....	electrician trainee (as Eysteinn Gudni Gudnason)
Ásbjörn Gudbjartsson	....	electrician
Godi Már Gudbjörnsson	....	additional camera crew
Finnur Thor Gudjonsson	....	electrician (as Finnur Thór Gudjonsson)
Óttar Guðnason	....	still photographer (as Óttar Gudnason)
Styrmir Haflidason	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Omar Jabali	....	second assistant camera (as Ómar Jabali)
Alan Joseph	....	electrician
Hinrik Jónsson	....	additional grip crew
Júlía Embla Katrínardóttir	....	additional camera crew
Jón Kjartansson	....	best boy electric
Eiríkur Tómas Marshall	....	grip assistant
Paul McIlvaine	....	gaffer
Nicolas Restrepo	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera
Ragnhildur Sigurdardóttir	....	camera trainee
Víðir Sigurðsson	....	camera operator: second unit (as Vídir Sigurdsson)
Ingvar Stefánsson	....	electrician
Sigurgeir Thordarsson	....	key grip (as Sigurgeir Thordarson)
Elli Cassata	....	camera operator: "c" camera (uncredited)

Casting Department
Harpa Elísa Þórsdóttir	....	extras casting (as Harpa Elísa Thórsdóttir)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Bergthóra Magnúsdóttir	....	costumer
Helga I. Stefánsdóttir	....	wardrobe

Editorial Department
Corinne Bogdanowicz	....	assistant digital intermediate colorist
Paul Bronkar	....	digital intermediate colorist
Lizzy Calhoun	....	assistant editor
Doug Delaney	....	digital intermediate colorist
Steve Farman	....	negative cutter
Mike Griffiths	....	hd colorist (as Mike Grifiths)
Kacie Haggerty	....	digital intermediate producer
Sigvaldi J. Kárason	....	additional editor (as Sigvaldi Kárason)
Ladd Lanford	....	digital intermediate executive
Robin Langer	....	colorist: dailies
Dawn Llewellyn	....	digital intermediate assistant editor
Lisa Markou	....	digital intermediate coordinator
Gareth Maynard	....	project manager
Ben Setterfield	....	digital scanning
Sean Thompson	....	assistant editor
Dominic Thomson	....	digital editor (as Dom Thomson)
Amy Tompkins	....	digital intermediate editor
Jim Warren	....	project manager (as James Warren)
Byron Wong	....	assistant editor
George Chavez	....	color timer (uncredited)

Music Department
Tony Abner	....	music clearance
Birgir Jón Birgisson	....	music coproducer
Birgir Jón Birgisson	....	music mixer
Rúna Esradóttir	....	music coproducer
Rúna Esradóttir	....	piano
Evitan	....	piano
Pétur Grétarsson	....	drums and percussions
Kjartan Hókonarson	....	trumpet (as Kjartan Hákonarson)
Mugison	....	music mixer
Mugison	....	music producer
Mugison	....	other instruments
Samúel J. Samúelsson	....	trombone (as Samúel Jón Samúelsson)

Transportation Department
Bogi Bjarnason	....	driver
Haraldur Rúnar Bjarnason	....	transportation coordinator
Svanur Bjarnason	....	driver
Úlfur Blandon	....	driver
Svanur Daníelsson	....	driver
Björn Erlendsson	....	driver
Finnbogi Thór Erlendsson	....	driver
Saevar Eyjólfsson	....	driver
Baldur Fredriksen	....	driver
Hilmar Thór Gudmundsson	....	driver
Hákon Gunnarsson	....	driver
Halldór E. Hauksson	....	driver
Hjalti Axel Ingvason	....	driver
Torfi Ingvason	....	driver
Victor Jacobsen	....	driver
Reynir Freyr Jakobsson	....	driver
Grétar Jóhannsson	....	driver
Ari Klaengur Jónsson	....	driver
Einar K. Jónsson	....	driver
Ásmundur Smári Magnússon	....	driver
Páll Kári Pálsson	....	driver
Fridrik Svanur Sigurdarson	....	driver
Gardar Hrafn Sigurjónsson	....	driver
Björn Stefánsson	....	driver
Marinó Sveinsson	....	driver
Páll Snorri Viggósson	....	driver

Other crew
Ólafur Adalgeirsson	....	location manager
Orn Alexander Amundasson	....	runner (as Örn Alexander Ámundason)
Stephen Apostolina	....	additional voice (as Steve Apostolina)
Sigurbjörn Búi Baldvinsson	....	set production assistant
Greg Bernstein	....	legal services
Sigríður Rósa Bjarnardóttir	....	production office: Blueeyes Productions (as Sigrídur Rósa Bjarnadóttir)
Jon K. Björnsson	....	helicopter pilot (as Jón K. Björnsson)
Ásta Briem	....	production coordinator
Robert Easton	....	additional voice coaching
Audur Eysteinsdóttir	....	catering assistant
Aditya Ezhuthachan	....	production office: Palomar Pictures
Spencer Lacey Ganus	....	additional voice
Magnús Örn Gudmarsson	....	caterer
Gunnar Atli Gunnarsson	....	set production assistant
Einar Haflidi	....	auditor: Deloitte Iceland
Atalanta Harmsworth	....	chaperone: Alfred Harmsworth
Shane Harvill	....	stand-in
Silja Hauksdóttir	....	assistant: Forest Whitaker
Pá Helgason	....	production accountant: Deloitte Iceland
Ásta Dóra Ingadóttir	....	animal trainer
David Jourdan	....	sales agent (as David Jördan)
Aslaug Konradsdottir	....	script supervisor (as Áslaug Konrádsdóttir)
Kristina Lankford	....	dialect coach
Andri Thór Lefever	....	tutor: Alfred Harmsworth
Jenný Thórkatla Magnúsdóttir	....	tutor: Alfred Harmsworth
Thomas Mai	....	sales agent
Edie Mirman	....	additional voice
Vytautas Narbutas	....	assistant: Vladas Bagdonas
Brent Parris	....	title coordinator
Margrét Pálsdóttir	....	catering assistant
Vigdís Hrefna Pálsdóttir	....	stand-in
Gylfi Pétursson	....	caterer
Gudmundur Ragnarsson	....	caterer
Páll Reynisson	....	firearm handler
Joanne Rinta	....	tutor: Alfred Harmsworth
Edda Sharpe	....	additional voice coaching
Sigrídur Stefánsdóttir	....	production office: Blueeyes Productions
Kjartan Páll Sæmundsson	....	assistant: Forest Whitaker (as Kjartan Páll Saemundsson)
John Hans Tester	....	additional voice (as Hans Tester)
Thórir Thórarinsson	....	on set medical assistance
Harpa Elísa Thórsdóttir	....	assistant: Baltasar Kormakur
Guðjón Valdimarsson	....	firearm handler (as Gudjón Valdimarsson)
Richard Weinman	....	voice: QLI commercial
Davíd Óskar Ólafsson	....	office production assistant
Melkorka Óskarsdóttir	....	production assistant
Sigurbjörn Búi Baldvinsson	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Sissi Kugler	....	script consultant (uncredited)

Thanks
Svend Abrahamsen	....	special thanks
Rowena Arguelles	....	special thanks
Laufey Gudjónsdóttir	....	special thanks
Kjartan Gunnarsson	....	special thanks
Thóra Hjaltested	....	special thanks
Kevin Iwashina	....	special thanks
Thórólfur Jónsson	....	special thanks
Eunice Lee	....	special thanks
Skuli Fr. Malmquist	....	special thanks (as Skúli Malmquist)
Hreidar Már Sigurdsson	....	special thanks
Thórir Snaer Sigurjónsson	....	special thanks
Skarphédinn Berg Steinarsson	....	special thanks
Ármann Thorvaldsson	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Blueeyes Productions
• Pink Productions
• Palomar Pictures (II)

Distributors

• First Look International (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• A-Film Distribution (2006) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Eurocine Films (2006) (Spain) (theatrical)
• A-Film Home Entertainment (200?) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Film1 (2007) (Netherlands) (TV) (limited)
• Imagem Filmes (2006) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Kurt Media (2007) (Germany) (DVD)
• Laptv (2007) (Argentina) (TV)
• Pandastorm Pictures (2007) (Germany) (DVD)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2006) (Finland) (DVD)

Other Companies

• ARRI  equipment rental
• Big Time Picture Company  editorial facilities (as Big Time)
• Brekkusstigur  music recorded at
• Cinema Sound  adr
• Deloitte Iceland  accountant
• Deloitte Iceland  auditor
• GR veitingar  catering
• Hiscox  insurance
• Iceland's Ministry of Industry and Commerce  funding
• Icelandic Film Center  funding (as Icelandic Film Fund)
• Katapult Film Sales  world sales
• Kaupthing Bank  funding
• Law Offices of Greg Bernstein, The  production counsel
• Magno Sound  adr
• Media Insurance Brokers  insurance
• Nordisk Film- & TV-Fond  funding (as Nordic Film and TV-Fund)
• One Union Recording Studios  adr (as One Union Recording)
• Pacific Title  titles
• Pacific Title and Art Studio  visual effects and digital intermediate
• Pegasus Pictures  camera equipment provided by
• Pegasus Pictures  grip and lighting equipment
• Pegasus Pictures  lighting
• Runway  additional editorial equipment
• Saint Anne's Post  adr
• Securitas Security  on set security (as Securitas)
• Sundlaugin  music recorded at
• Todd-AO Studios  adr (as Todd-AO)
• Truenorth Productions  production services (as True North)
• Young'uns Agency  special assistance (as Young 'uns Agency)
• Zik Zak Filmworks  special thanks

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some violence and disturbing images

Runtime:

90 min (25 fps) | Canada:98 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

Iceland | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:14 | Netherlands:12 | Iceland:16 (video rating) | Finland:K-15 | Norway:15 | USA:R | Australia:M | Argentina:13 | UK:15 (2007) | Singapore:NC-16 | Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Hastings, Minnesota, USA

Company:

Blueeyes Productions

Soundtrack:

Raindrops

twists & turns

I was really surprised by this screening. I had heard of the director's foreign-language movies but never seen them. So I had not much to go on except that I like the actors... I knew it was a thriller of some kind but didn't expect it to be a thinking person's film. Basically, the movie is an investigation into a mysterious death. But the characters involved have layers and secrets to them as well.

Julia Stiles was ravishing as always, Forest Whitaker very convincing, but I was most drawn in by Jeremy Renner. He's a sneaky actor in a good role. Also must mention Peter Coyote, glad to see him in anything.

Anyway, I enjoy movies with twists and turns, and this one had plenty. It was atmospheric and ultimately satisfying.