Episode 179 - Eurovision Song Contest: The story of Fire Saga

This week we welcome back Mrs John, Kirsty Watson to talk about her absolute passion: The Eurovision Song Contest.

She'll keep us on track with the history of Eurovision and we'll teach her about Scottish Geography, The Urbz: Sims in the city, The OVO Hydro and quiz her on naughty Ghosts.

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Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is a 2020 American musical romantic comedy film directed by David Dobkin, written by Will Ferrell and Harper Steele,[a] and starring Ferrell, Rachel McAdams, Dan Stevens, Melissanthi Mahut, Mikael Persbrandt, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Graham Norton, Demi Lovato, Pierce Brosnan, and Elín Petersdóttir. It follows the personally close Icelandic singers Lars Erickssong and Sigrit Ericksdóttir as they are given the chance to represent their country at the Eurovision Song Contest.

Development of a film based on the Eurovision Song Contest began in 2018, with Ferrell, a self-described follower of the event, attending the 2018 and 2019 editions to conceive the characters and story. The film was officially announced in June 2018, and filming took place between August and October 2019 in Scotland, Iceland, and England.

The Story of Fire Saga was originally scheduled for a May 2020 release on Netflix to coincide with the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 contest was canceled, and the film was subsequently released a month later, on June 26. It received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the original music but criticised the screenplay and runtime. However, the film was generally received favourably by Eurovision fans. The film received a nomination for Best Original Song at the 93rd Academy Awards (for "Husavik").

Cast

Will Ferrell as Lars Erickssong, a middle-aged man with aspirations of winning the Eurovision Song Contest

Alfie Melia as young Lars[3]

Rachel McAdams as Sigrit Ericksdóttir, Lars' bandmate and long-time best friend, who wishes for a romantic relationship with him

Sophia-Grace Donnelly as young Sigrit

Molly Sandén sings parts of Sigrit's songs (she and McAdams worked together to produce Sigrit's singing voice).[4]

Dan Stevens as Alexander Lemtov, a flamboyant singer representing Russia

Erik Mjönes sings all Lemtov's songs

Melissanthi Mahut as Mita Xenakis, another contestant, representing Greece

Petra Nielsen sings Mita's song.[5]

Mikael Persbrandt as Victor Karlosson, governor of the Central Bank of Iceland, who doesn't want Iceland to win the contest

Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Neils Brongus, president of RÚV, Iceland's national public service broadcaster

Graham Norton as himself, a Eurovision commentator, credited as playing Graham Norton

Demi Lovato as Katiana Lindsdóttir, winner of Söngvakeppnin

Pierce Brosnan as Erick Erickssong, Lars' disapproving widowed father who is implied to be Sigrit's father as well

Joi Johannsson as Jorn, a member of the Icelandic Eurovision committee

Alfrun Rose as Anna, a member of the Icelandic Eurovision committee

Björn Hlynur Haraldsson as Arnar, a policeman who has a crush on Sigrit

Jamie Demetriou as Kevin Swain, head of Iceland's creative team

Jon Kortajarena as Corin Vladvitch, the Eurovision host

Elina Alminas as Sasha More, the Eurovision host

Elín Petersdóttir as Helga, Sigrit's mother

Christopher Jeffers as Johnny John John, a rapper representing Sweden

Rebecca Harrod as Brittny, one of the American tourists

Josh Zaré as Bill, one of the American tourists

Bobby Lockwood as Jeff, one of the American tourists

Eleanor Williams as Jenn, one of the American tourists

Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson as Johans, male host of Söngvakeppnin

Natasia Demetriou as Nina, a crew member at the contest

Hannes Óli Ágústsson as Olaf Yohansson, a resident of Húsavík, who is obsessed with "Jaja Ding Dong".

Milan van Weelden as 21st Century Viking.

William Lee Adams as himself, a Eurovision commentator.

Zack Propert as Stephan, Fire Saga's drumme