One torso at a time

TORSO Reykjavik explores the humanity behind the online gay community in Reykjavik and uncovers the vast and varied stories existing within it. Director Tim Marshall confesses that he was surprised by the honesty of the Icelandic participants and their willingness to open up.

Director Tim Marshall.
Director Tim Marshall.

“The project begun as an experiment after I found myself becoming disillusioned with apps like Grindr. Being faced with many profiles of ‘perfect torsos’, I began to feel inadequate. I knew from experiences of my friends that they felt the same way using Grindr, so I wondered how other gay men felt and set about to begin this project to discover the humanity behind these apps,” says award-winning Australian filmmaker Tim Marshall, about his project TORSO, premiering at RIFF (The Reykjavík International Film Festival) this year.

Marshall eexplainsthat he likes making work he can relate to. Work that seeks answers to questions in his own life or themes he’s interested in exploring. He’s fascinated by the flawed nature of humanity and loves to explore people’s constant search for symmetry in their lives, never quite finding it. And hence in TORSO he explores the world behind the online gay community, one torso at a time, through interviews with men using online dating app – including stories from Los Angeles and Sydney and now Reykjavik.

“Actually, Iceland became involved out of sheer coincidence. I was based here for three months over winter in 2013 for a film making program I curate, and upon meeting people through Grindr and Gay Romeo, felt that I needed to find stories here and explore the stories from the online gay dating world in Reykjavik,” he tells us.

Have there been any surprises a long the way since you started out?
“Yes, often and usually in a good way. Of course, every city I’ve filmed in I was met with a lot of rejection. Whether it’s because guys are too shy or they ignore me because they look only at my picture and don’t read my profile. In Iceland, a lot of guys were very hesitant to be involved because they knew even if they only showed their torso they would still be recognised, as the Iceland gay community is very small. All stories shared similarities in every place I went. Everyone had their story of meeting someone from Grindr who looked nothing like their profile picture, most guys had also been pleasantly surprised by someone being better than their profile picture. Here in Iceland, the honesty of my participants was a nice surprise. Once I was able to find guys willing to be involved, I was really impressed with their openness in telling their stories.”

“In Reykjavik a lot of guys don’t have a photo (of their face). It is a way of keeping their sex life discreet in a small city.”

After your research, would you say that people can be quick to judge a book by its cover?
“We can decide so much about a person, based on one photo and a few words. And I am not excluded from this. It is impossible not to make assumptions. But the beauty of this project has been being reminded of how complex each individual person is. No one is a stereotype. We are all complex human beings. The overweight guy who sends people pictures of his dick on Grindr, is also capable of love. The twenty year old with HIV  didn’t contract it by being a huge slut. All the stereotypes this project breaks are common in the gay online community and it’s been wonderful creating a dialogue around that.”

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Is Grindr about more than hook-ups?

What about apps like Grindr or Scruff or websites like Gaydar, do you think they differ from each other in any way?
“Grindr isn’t all that different from the other apps, as the other apps all have built-in features similar to Grindr now. Although Grindr isn’t as dirty as I think it once was. So many guys are using it to find dates or friends now that it’s almost – almost – balances out the guys just looking for sex. TORSO has helped me to realise what a powerful tool for accessing the gay community apps like Grindr can be. People that hate going to gay bars now have a way to enjoy access to their community as much as everyone else.”

Are the online dating apps still mostly used for hook-ups?
“Hook-ups are definitely the main use for these apps. Let’s be honest, it’s a quick and easy way to find sex and that’s what most guys use it for. But I have been enjoying learning about life-long friendships and solid relationships being formed through meetings on these apps.”

A lot of the profiles don’t include face pics. Do you have any clue to as why that might be? 
“In Reykjavik a lot of guys don’t have a photo, and I found that a number of times this is because they don’t want to be recognised by someone they know. It is a way of keeping their sex life discreet in a small city.”

Talking about Reykjavík, you must have heard some interesting stories here.
“One guy I interviewed is a firefighter here in Reykjavik, whose husband of ten years died tragically of brain cancer a couple of years ago. He begun seeking support from his community through Grindr, finding that it was easier to talk to guys on there that shared similar experiences of grief to him. His story is really powerful and touching.”

What’s the overall goal with a project like Torso?

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TORSO takes a closer look at stereotypes online.

“I want TORSO to start conversations. I have already had some great conversations with people whose perspectives have changed after watching some of the TORSO interviews and I hope for this to continue. I would like to expand TORSO to include cities where gay culture is not as widely accepted and apps like Grindr play a more important role in connecting a community that has less public means of connection. I am interested to hear stories from places such as this and see how they compare to the three cities I have already filmed in, where being gay is widely accepted.”

Finally, what about yourself, do you use these kind of apps?
“As I said, I have indeed been on them, and I am still on them! Right now, I am using Grindr to market the TORSO Reykjavik event!”

Tim Marshall is an award-winning filmmaker from Australia, based in Los Angeles but travelling the globe for several film projects and couldn’t imagine doing anything else with his life. At the moment he is in post-production for a short film, shot in Wales through the Iris Prize funding and developing a feature film. He’s inspired by Lars Von Trier, Miranda July, Jonathan Glazer, Todd Solondz, Ulrich Seidl and Andrew Haigh to name a few and loves brave and different films which show people a new way of looking at the world and at themselves.

Á. Óskarsson
Á. Óskarsson

Á. Óskarsson offers a variety of products and services to sports centers, swimming pools, schools, kindergartens, and the general public. The company specializes in sport-related products, activity-focused games, and a wide range of solutions for sports facilities.

Á. Óskarsson has been involved in numerous big projects related to building sports facilities and has made it their benchmark to offer good quality products and equipment since the company was founded.

See links to social media in the upper left-hand corner

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Á. Óskarsson selur fjölbreytt vöruúrval fyrir íþróttahús, sundlaugar, skóla og leikskóla og einnig ýmsar vörur til einkaafnota. Fyrirtækið selur vörur til íþróttaiðkunnar og leikja ásamt því að bjóða upp á ýmsar lausnir fyrir íþróttamannvirki.

Á. Óskarsson hefur komið að fjölda stórra verkefna við byggingu íþróttamannvirkja og hefur frá stofnun kappkostað að bjóða vandaðar og endingargóðar vörur.

Tenglar á samfélagsmiðla eru í efra horninu vinstra megin.

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Blush

    Blush was founded in 2011 when it started selling high quality sex products. The goal from the beginning was to change the market and take the discussion about sex products to a higher level. Today Blush provides professional services in a pleasant environment that fulfills different needs, both for individuals and couples. Blush respects diversity and wants to set a good example in all of its messaging to target audiences. Sexual health and equality in sex is important and Blush wants to focus on those issues through education and open discussion. Blush works in a socially responsible manner for society, their customers and the environment.

    Check out Blush’s website: https://blush.is/

    Omnom Chocolate
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      Omnom Chocolate is an Icelandic craft chocolate company based in Reykjavík. We produce handcrafted chocolate from organic cacao beans sourced ethically and sustainably. We’ve developed direct relationships to create premium chocolate with fine flavor cacao beans.

      Our creative flavors are carefully crafted by meticulous chocolate makers. The cacao beans are roasted, winnowed, ground, and refined into melty-smooth chocolate.

      Omnom’s process is one of constant exploration, invention, and experimentation. If it doesn’t please us, if something isn’t absolutely delicious, there’s no reason to be doing it. So, we always start with our taste buds and follow our instincts. Our team searches for the finest ingredients in the world and new ways to improve chocolate. This obsession with knowing where our ingredients come from has led us around the corner to dairy farms in the Icelandic countryside and all the way to rainforest cacao farms of Nicaragua.

      In only a few short years, we’ve grown from our 50 sq. m. petrol station space and become an award-winning chocolate maker. Now, with our headquarters in 101 Reykjavík, our chocolate is sent out around Iceland and all over the world.

      At the end of the day, our goal is to make chocolate.

       

      Nasdaq

         

        Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a global technology company serving the capital markets and other industries. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software and services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence.

        With over 4,300 employees in 39 offices around the world, at Nasdaq we all contribute to the success of the company and its culture, and each one of us has the ability to make a difference. When it comes to our core mission and values, we embrace the role of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) as a fundamental driver of our corporate growth, workplace culture and market development. We strive to create a culture that embraces the power of different perspectives—a culture where people’s unique backgrounds and different experiences helps us fuel innovation and support our clients around the world.

        Our unique position at the center of the capital markets allows us to see firsthand how these values have redefined corporate culture and success, deepening and accelerating our own commitment to champion inclusive growth and prosperity, as we strive to create more equitable opportunities to help people of all backgrounds reach their full potential. Most notably, we published our diversity statistics for the first time in 2020. These metrics serve as a quantitative assessment of where we are today and help determine what strategies we need to adopt to enhance diversity in the workplace. We recognize that we have much work to do, but we are steadfast in our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive culture—one that reflects the communities in which we live, allows all employees to be their true, authentic selves and fosters individual growth and achievement.

        As we move forward together, we will continue advancing diverse ideas and perspectives that help fulfill the promise of a more inclusive and prosperous world. We aim to set the pace for rethinking capital markets and economies anywhere and everywhere. To learn more about the company, technology solutions and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on Twitter @Nasdaq, or at www.nasdaq.com.

        Blue Lagoon
        - One of the 25 Wonders of the World

        Named by National Geographic as one of the 25 Wonders of the World, the Blue Lagoon is a shimmering expanse of warmth, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Its unique geothermal seawater
        comes from 2.000 meters within the earth where seawater and freshwater converge in a tectonic realm of porous lava and searing heat. Propelled by extreme pressure, the water ascends to the earth’s surface, emerging enriched with silica, algae, and minerals—the elements that endow Blue Lagoon geothermal seawater with its radiant, healing properties.

        From its humble beginnings in the shadows of a geothermal power plant, Blue Lagoon has evolved into a world of wonder, now encompassing two hotels, three restaurants, three
        geothermal lagoons, a subterranean spa, a renowned line of skin care, a thriving research center, and a wealth of spa and refreshment facilities.

        Achieving harmony with the volcanic landscape, the lagoon and its surrounding architecture embody the unification of the man-made and the natural, and adhere to the highest principles of sustainability.

        The Blue Lagoon. A wonder of the world. A world of wonder.

        Landsbankinn
        - leading financial institution
        Landsbankinn

        Landsbankinn is a leading Icelandic financial institution. It offers a full range of financial services and is the market leader in the Icelandic financial service sector with the largest branch network.

        The present bank was established on 7 October 2008 but the history of its predecessor dates back to 1886. The bank is owned by the National Treasury of Iceland, which holds 98.2% of its share capital, and other shareholders who own 1.8%.

        Landsbankinn’s strategy is to provide comprehensive financial services that meet customer’s needs. It emphasizes providing exemplary service to customers, developing e-banking for their convenience, increasing the efficiency of support functions, modernizing its technology and ensuring effective utilization of its balance sheet.

        The bank’s vision is to be exemplary and its role is to be a trusted financial partner.

        Special emphasis is placed on promoting a performance-oriented culture in the bank. To follow up on the implementation of this strategy, the bank has defined key goals which are measured regularly to determine progress. These goals include, for example, customer satisfaction and loyalty, profitability, cost efficiency and the correlation between risk appetite and employee satisfaction.

        Landsbankinn wishes to lead the development of a sustainable society in Iceland by integrating economic, social and environmental concerns in its operations. The Bank aims to ensure that both its owners and society at large benefit from its activities.

        It intends to achieve this aim by building solid infrastructure and a strong team of 1.100 employees, by listening to its customers and by respecting and encouraging its employees to actively participate in their community. Landsbankinn was a founding member of Festa, a Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility, and is a member of the UN Global Compact.

        Landsbankinn has been a proud sponsor of the Reykjavik Pride since it was first celebrated in Iceland.

        Dohop
        - get inspired
        Dohop

        Dohop allows people to find the cheapest flights available with just one click. Founded in Reykjavik in 2004, it is the only Icelandic company of its kind and quickly became the go-to tool for finding cheap flights among the locals. Dohop finds the best deals among hundreds of different airlines and online travel agencies, to make sure that the user is getting the cheapest price. Dohop also offers hotel and car rental search engines, so users can make all of their travel bookings from a single website.

        Dohop‘s specialty is finding so-called “self-connect” flight options, which can save travelers money by booking a ticket through two or more different airlines. The ability to look for these self-connect option is what sets Dohop apart from its competition, as it can save people hundreds of dollars on certain routes.

        More recently, Dohop has developed a unique product called Dohop Go!, which allows users to check for the cheapest available flights from their home airport. This tool is perfect for those who are looking for travel inspiration but are not willing to overpay for their flight ticket. Dohop Go! is now available in the Dohop Flights App, both for Android and iOS, along with its traditional flight, hotel, and car search engines. “

        VSÓ Ráðgjöf

           

          VSÓ Ráðgjöf er alhliða ráðgjafar- og verkfræðifyrirtæki sem leggur áherslu á trausta og faglega þjónustu sem tryggir viðskiptavinum hagkvæmustu lausnir hverju sinni, skilar raunverulegum árangri og stuðlar að samkeppnisforskoti.  Á skrifstofum VSÓ í Reykjavík og í Noregi starfar yfir 80 manna samhentur hópur verkfræðinga og annarra tæknimenntaðra starfsmanna.

          Macland
          - for all your Apple needs
          Macland

          From starting out as a proper startup with only a good idea and the need to change things, to becoming an established company with 6 employees. Starting from scratch and expanding organically has allowed us to love our expansion and take our customers on the ride with us.

          Macland is located at Laugavegur 23 (101, Downtown Reykjavik)
          For all your Apple needs. We are here.

          Ísey skyr
          - once tasted never forgotten

          Our Story
          Once upon a time, 1,100 years ago in fact, Nordic settlers began arriving in Iceland. They brought with them the skills and knowledge for producing skyr. As time passed, the know-how and recipe for this nutritious food slowly faded out elsewhere in the Nordic region. Luckily, the Icelandic skyr-making tradition continued.

          For centuries, Icelandic skyr formed a cornerstone of the national diet, helping to keep people strong in living conditions that were often harsh. On family farms countrywide, it was the women who nurtured this dairy and passing on both the recipe and the original Icelandic skyr cultures from mother to daughter.

          Ísey skyr builds on this remarkable legacy. It was some of those very same women, the recipients of their mothers’ expertise, who, around 90 years ago, taught Icelandic dairy scientists the art of skyr-making. The production process is more high-tech these days, and the quality standards more rigorous. However, the basic recipe and the use of original cultures to ferment the skimmed milk remain the same. Protein rich, fat-free, creamy and delicious – Ísey skyr is as relevant to consumers now as it was all those centuries ago.
          This is our secret and you are in on it

          You can read more about Ísey skyr on our website.

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