Last update on.From European Football
Hannes Thor Halldorsson, Icelandic goalkeeper, sounds more like a script for an action film.
In his twenties, he quit football. He returned to football at 28 and made his international debut.
The 37-year old said, "It would be a bad script to a movie." People probably wouldn't believe that."
Maybe it is his lived experience that makes him a great storyteller.
His first feature film Cop Secret was recently co-written and directed by him. It is an Icelandic LGBTQ+ comedy that received international recognition.
"I was burning out"
Haldorsson, who was five years old, was part of Iceland's oldest, and most historically successful, team, Knattspyrnufelag Reykjavikur. (KR).
His career was hampered by a shoulder injury and he decided to quit football at 20 to focus on film-making. However, a call from an ex-coach prompted him to return to Leiknir Reykjavik, a third-tier side.
He said, "I was still working in film-making and I decided to see which took my further." "Neither the ball stopped rolling.
"The excitement of playing in a big game is incredible, but sitting in the theatre and seeing a film you made come together, it's an almost identical feeling."
Halldorsson returned to KR and received international recognition. He also worked for the largest production company in Iceland doing commercials.
Halldorsson stated that in 2013, he realized he was tired. It was not normal to be the top goalkeeper for the national team, while also working on the sidelines.
"I was thrilled to end my film career when I was able to play professionally in football in 2014. I was a professional footballer for 5-6 years, and my children were raised in many different countries.
Halldorsson had a journeyman career that saw him playing in Norway, Denmark, Denmark, and Azerbaijan. A return to Iceland in 2019 to play for Valur allowed him to revisit an idea for a film he had developed 10 years ago.
You can make an action comedy while you win the league or navigate a pandemic.
Cop Secret is a comedy-action film that explores toxic masculinity, prejudice and other topics
Halldorsson was a comedian from Iceland who had created a short spoof movie about action in 2011. He worked with Audunn Blondal (a comedian and actor from Iceland), who plays Bussi, a tough, moody guy that is conflicted over his sexuality.
He decided to take up the project in 2019, after returning home from his home football game and having reached the end of his football career.
The movie was shot in a pandemic. Filming began towards the end 2020 season as Valur's team, Halldorsson, were on their way toward winning the Icelandic title.
Halldorsson describes this film as "a comedy made from people who wanted an action movie" and claims it was inspired in part by Hot Fuzz, a 2007 British film.
He said, "I calculated that the budget was 0.03% of Fast and Furious's latest movie." "Maybe The Rock's trailer cost as much as our entire movie."
Saving a penalty from Messi and beating England
Halldorsson, who was a part of the Iceland team that won so many admirers during their 2016 European Championship appearance, retired from international football after having won 77 caps.
The minnows came second in their group. They drew against Portugal and beat Austria. They beat England 2-1 in the 16th place match.
Halldorsson stated that those moments were the highlights of both my football career as well as my life. You're supposed to always say that the birth or adoption of your children is your highlight. But, I think this surpasses that. Tell no one!
"Being at Euros was the best experience I have ever had." It was like being in a resort with your best friends. There were great weather and you can play amazing games every day.
Halldorsson was penalized against England but Iceland won the match.
Halldorsson was there for Iceland's first match in a World Cup finals. They saved a penalty from Messi and drew 1-1 against Argentina two years later.
Halldorsson stated, "If you can think of a dream scenario to a goalkeeper it's going be saving a penalty from Lionel Messi."
"When I was selected for the national team, my goal was to play 50 games as Iceland's number 1 and this was my 50th.
It's more likely that you will win the lottery if things align in this way.
It was impossible to write. Halldorsson might be able to.
