About the film

The inhabitants of two Icelandic villages live in constant fear that the Katla volcano, at the foot of which they live, will erupt. They eventually decide to capitalize on the potential danger and turn the site into a tourist attraction that has become one of the island’s most visited locations.

The documentary depicts the daily life of several residents living around the volcano, whose last eruption razed the area in 1918. Scientists monitoring the volcano predict eruptions once every 60 years. Time is running out, but as yet there are no signs of destruction. However, the locals have learned to live with the persistent natural threat. They take advantage of the prediction of an eruption in order to further their economic interests and, at the same time, have precise procedures for what to do when the disaster actually occurs. Mystical tales of a crater from long ago permeate the picturesque scenery, mingling with the pragmatism of the contemporary inhabitants.