The Story of Fire Saga and the Eurovision Connection

The 2020 film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, starring Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams, brought global attention to Iceland’s musical culture and landscapes. One of the most memorable aspects of the film was the song Volcano Man, an over-the-top, dramatic piece performed by the protagonists, Lars Erickssong (Ferrell) and Sigrit Ericksdóttir (McAdams). This song, blending elements of electronic and Viking-inspired aesthetics, became emblematic of the film’s humorous yet heartfelt tribute to Iceland’s music scene.

While the performance was a fictional creation, its visuals and themes resonated with the real-life Icelandic landscape. The film showcased Iceland’s stunning geological features, reinforcing the country’s association with both natural power and musical expression. In the wake of the movie’s release, the song gained a cult following, with fans embracing its theatrical style and the connection it made between Iceland’s environment and its artistic heritage.

The Piano in the Lava Fields – A Movie Prop Turned Real Symbol

One of the film’s most striking visuals was a piano set against the backdrop of Iceland’s rugged terrain. This scene, intended to highlight the grandeur and isolation of the country’s landscape, played into the film’s theme of ambition and artistry in the face of overwhelming odds. Though initially a cinematic element, the image of a piano in the lava fields took on a life of its own outside of the movie.

Following the film’s release, several fans and artists recreated this imagery, placing pianos in remote locations around Iceland as an homage to Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. In some instances, these installations were temporary, set up for photography or performance before being removed. However, in 2021, after the Fagradalsfjall volcanic eruption, reports of a piano appearing near the lava fields led to speculation that it might be a tribute to the film. While there was no confirmed connection, the visual parallel was unmistakable.

The appearance of the piano in such an extreme environment also served as a metaphor for resilience and artistic expression. It symbolized the contrast between human creativity and the raw, untamed power of nature—a recurring theme in both Icelandic culture and the film itself.

The Cultural Impact of Volcano Man and Iceland’s Musical Legacy

Although the song was a fictional song created for a comedy film, its impact on Iceland’s cultural representation was significant. The song, along with the film’s other musical pieces, showcased Iceland’s long-standing reputation for producing unique and experimental music. Artists such as Björk and Sigur Rós have long drawn inspiration from the country’s landscapes. The Story of Fire Saga played into this tradition by blending grandiose visuals with music that felt both humorous and genuinely celebratory.

Furthermore, Iceland’s real-life participation in the Eurovision Song Contest has been marked by innovative performances and dedicated fan support. The film only heightened international interest in Icelandic entries, with the 2021 and 2022 contests seeing increased global enthusiasm for the country’s performers.

Ultimately, the piano in the lava fields and the Volcano Man song serve as reminders of the interplay between media, culture, and national identity. While the former may have been inspired by cinematic imagery, its real-world presence reinforced the ways in which art and nature continue to shape Iceland’s global perception. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga may have been a comedy, but its impact on Iceland’s cultural visibility was anything but a joke.