WIUX hosts Sigur Ros film screening

Student radio station WIUX will show the documentary “Heima” at 8:30 p.m. today in the theater building attached to the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, Room A201.\nThe film’s title, “Heima”, means “homeland” in Icelandic. The movie follows the band Sigur Ros as the members return to their Icelandic roots to tour the country performing unadvertised, free shows for their fans in uncommon venues. \nJon Coombs, special events director at WIUX, said the band “just went around playing free shows in open fields, and tons of people would show up.” \nThis film screening is a first for WIUX, which has primarily hosted concerts in the past. The station is trying to expand special events to potentially include occasional movie screenings and art shows. Coombs said he found out about the movie because his roommate owned it.\n“It has got a lot of buzz and our listeners love the band,” said Station Manager Craig Shank.\nSigur Ros is a post-rock band with an atmospheric sound. Most of the band’s music is sung in Icelandic, although WIUX public relations director Allie Korosi said they have an album sung in Hopelandic, a language completely made up by the band.\nShank, who started listening to Sigur Ros in high school, said they have an atmospheric sound that makes for great driving music. Based on airtime, the band seems to be popular with IU listeners.\nThe event has had a greater response than originally expected. Coombs said they first anticipated 20 to 30 people at most. The screening was going to take place in the station but, it was moved to the Neal-Marshall Culture Center to account for a larger audience. \nThe staff of WIUX has always talked about trying to expand its special events to include something like this and has high hopes for future movie screenings. \n“If we have a good turnout, hopefully we can keep doing them,” Korosi said.