Last year the anticapitalist BDSM-inspired techno group Hatari gave Iceland a top ten finish at Eurovision 2019. But the group also caused controversy by holding up banners reading “Palestine” on camera at the grand final. Now their Eurovision journey has been captured in an upcoming documentary film, A Song Called Hate.
While a release date for the film has not yet been confirmed, a trailer has recently dropped. It gives fans a taste of what they can expect from the film.
The trailer features Hatari facing international media attention, including appearances from the BBC, US talk show host John Oliver and, of course, wiwibloggs. But Hatari weren’t any ordinary Eurovision act.
The preview quickly cuts to the chase and gets political. The Palestine issue is brought up and Mattias is heard explaining the band’s intention to “criticise the Israeli government with discussion, with art, with ideas, rather than boycott it.”
Iceland’s Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdottír also makes an appearance, noting that politics is not confined to just politicians, and praising artists who get involved in political issues.
While the trailer doesn’t give too much away, it clear that viewers will be seeing behind-the-scenes footage filmed in Tel Aviv and in Palestine.
A Song Called Hate is the directorial debut of the London-based Icelandic director Anna Hildur. She earlier told Variety magazine, “Making this documentary was a challenging and life-changing (experience). Seeing young artists making a stand and attempting to create a meaningful debate through their art gives me hope, and hope is precious.”
The film is due to be released sometime in autumn 2020.
Hatari’s Klemens gets subdued on “Arcade” cover
Hatari fans might be used to seeing vocalist Klemens Hannigan clad in leather and PVC with parts of his bottom exposed. But he showed a different side with a heartfelt cover of Duncan Laurence’s “Arcade”.
The performance was part of RÚV’s Icelandic alternative Eurovision show Alla leið.
Clad this time in a simple shirt and trousers, and playing along on his acoustic guitar, Klemens delivers a heartfelt cover of “Arcade”.
He is joined by a few other socially distant musicians. Together, they deliver a subdued take on the 2019 Eurovision winner — and gives Klemens the opportunity to show off a different side to his vocal talents.
What do you think? Are you looking forward to the Hatari documentary? Should Klemens enter Söngvakeppnin 2021 as a solo artist? Tell us your thoughts below.
Klemens sings Arcade beautifully. Will the documentary be available on YouTube for their European fans?
Oh, my boys ! One year has passed since that Eurovison. I can’t wait for this premier as I’ve got a feeling, some unrevealed true will be taken out to the day light.
Awww, such sweethearts. My heroes. I looove Hatari!