Latest news with #TheStoryofFireSaga
Irish Daily Mirror
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Netflix streaming Eurovision film fans 'could watch over and over'
The Eurovision Song Contest's Grand Final is all set to be a showstopper, with 26 acts duking it out for the top spot, and die-hard fans are gearing up for the thrilling night ahead. This month, 37 countries have been flaunting their finest talents, and everything comes to a head tonight (17th May) at 8pm, broadcasting live on BBC One and iPlayer. But before viewers settle in for the evening's festivities, they've declared 'the only correct way' to gear up for the event. Eager fans have taken to X, previously known as Twitter, one fan enthusiastically wrote: "Starting #Eurovison weekend the ONLY correct way - watching Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga." The acclaimed 2020 flick, The Story of Fire Saga, is a musical rom-com featuring Hollywood A-listers Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams. Loosely inspired by the iconic competition, the movie tells the tale of life-long pals Lars Erickssong (Ferrell) and Sigrit Ericksdóttir (McAdams), who together form the music group 'Fire Saga,' reports the Express. Despite typically entertaining their small Icelandic town's locals, the pair aspire to reign supreme at Eurovision. When an unfortunate twist of fate eliminates Iceland's other contenders, Fire Saga find themselves unexpectedly chosen to carry their nation's hopes. Seen as the dark horses of the competition, the duo is challenged to showcase their worth and make their homeland proud. For anyone looking to get into the Eurovision spirit before tonight's grand finale, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is available for streaming on Netflix now. The musical hit the ground running upon its release, swiftly bagging a Best Original Song nomination at the 93rd Academy Awards. The track 'Husavik' has been a streaming sensation, amassing over 62 million plays on Spotify and another 22 million views for its official music video on YouTube. Audiences have been singing the comedy's praises since it first hit screens. One Rotten Tomatoes user raved: "This movie is hilarious and well-acted, with a spot-on soundtrack. I could watch it over and over and still find it just as funny. The music is fantastic, and the scenery is stunning." Another enthusiast shared their adoration online, writing: "As a movie buff of many years, I write this with great thought but it is one of my favourite movies of all time. A sweet story, amazing music true to the real life Eurovision style and great acting and cameo appearances. In short a real joy to watch, kick back popcorn ready and leave feeling great!" On social media, the film was hailed by a cinephile as "one of the best movies of the last several years," who added: "What a feel good film. I've watched it a few times now, and it just keeps getting better. We need this movie. Bring on a sequel." Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is streaming now on Netflix.
Metro
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
5 of the best Eurovision films to stream before the Grand Final
After 12 months of waiting, the Eurovision Grand Final is almost upon us – 26 countries have now qualified for the big show on Saturday, May 17. The legendary singing contest is back for another year and this time it's being hosted by last year's winners Switzerland, who were represented by singer Nemo. Taking place in Basel for 2025, the Eurovision party has already started with both semi-finals now done and dusted, with the final line-up settled. Representing the UK are vocal trio Remember Monday and their song What the Hell Just Happened?, which went down very well during a rehearsal performance during Thursday's semi-final. To get you in the mood for all the pageantry and performances, here are five Eurovision-themed films to start your weekend off with in preparation for the Grand Final. If you start watching them on Saturday morning, you should finish the last one in the list just before the BBC's coverage, hosted by Graham Norton, begins. Released in June 2020 on Netflix, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga stars Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams as Icelandic Eurovision hopefuls. From the small fishing town of Husavik, which is situated on the northern coast of Iceland, Will's character Lars and Rachel's character Sigrit journey to Edinburgh to take part. The film is best remembered for Lars and Sigrit's song suggestive nonsense song Ja Ja Ding Dong, which isn't even the song they perform at the contest. While the film only received a lukewarm reaction from critics – the film has a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 63% – fans of Eurovision come back to it every year. The Story of Fire Saga also features cameos from major Eurovision stars from down the years, including Sweden's double champion Loreen, 2018 Israeli winner Netta, and 2016 Ukraine winner Jamala. Will came to love Eurovision after being introduced to the contest in 1999 by his Swedish wife Viveca Paulin, 25 years after Abba famously won the competition. Watch Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga on Netflix. Released in 2016 and directed by Bavo Defurne, French film Souvenir tells the story of a fictional forgotten singer who once competed for France at the Eurovison Song Contest. The film stars legendary French actress Isabelle Huppert, who has starred in movies like The Piano Teacher, Amour, Elle, Greta, and Mrs Harris Goes to Paris. She's also been the recipient of three Baftas, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award nomination after starring in Paul Verhoeven's 2016 film Elle. Souvenir follows Isabelle's character Liliane, who meets a young, aspiring boxer and falls in love, resulting in her trying to make a music industry comeback. Strangely, the film was given a Christmas release in France, five months before the Eurovision Song Contest usually comes around each year. Critics were similarly lukewarm on Souvenir as they were on The Story of Fire Saga, with the film's Rotten Tomatoes rating currently sitting at 52%, however, the site's top critics see its rating jump to 64%. Watch Souvenir on Apple TV or Amazon Prime Video. The 2019 Eurovision Song Contest was marred by controversy in the build-up to the Grand Final, with calls for some to boycott the competition that year. Israel hosted the contest that year after Netta won in 2018 with her song Toy, and pro-Palestine activists staged protests during the qualifying rounds. In the middle of this controversy were Iceland band Hatari, who were known for their predominantly left-wing values and provocative stage displays. A Song Called Hate follows the members of Hatari as they decide whether to boycott Eurovision altogether or use the opportunity to spread their beliefs across Europe. On Letterboxd, user Oliver compared it to The Story of Fire Saga, saying: 'Of the movies released in 2020 about Iceland participating in Eurovision Song Contest, this was far superior.' Spoiler warning: Hatari performed their song Hatrið mun sigra (Hatred Will Prevail) and eventually finished third that year, wowing viewers with their intense display. Watch A Song Called Hate on OutTV, via Amazon Prime Video. 2006 was another fantastic year for Nordic countries at Eurovision, with Finland's heavy metal band Lordi reigning supreme over the continent with their song Hard Rock Hallelujah. Dressed in freakish costumes, Lordi played their hearts out and stormed to victory, finishing almost 50 points ahead of runners-up Russia in the Grand Final and landing Finland's first Eurovision title. Hard Rock Hallelujah promised an 'a-rock-alypse' and a 'day of rock-ening' and that's exactly what Europe got, with the song charting in 13 European countries after the competition concluded. Coming eight years after Lordi's triumph, Monsterman told quite a different story about Lordi's lead singer, Tomi Putaansuu, better known by his stage name Mr Lordi. A description of the film reveals Monsterman to be 'a film about the monster of Lapland, Mr. Lordi, who, after winning the Eurovision Song Contest loses everything, almost everything'. The documentary follows what happens to a band who reach the top of the world (well, a continent) and have only got one place left to go: downwards. Watch Monsterman on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Sounds Like Teen Spirit – or to give the film its full title, Sounds Like Teen Spirit: A Popumentary – a documentary about the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Ever year since 2003, Junior Eurovision has taken place in either November or December – the current champions are Georgia after their entrant Andria Putkaradze won in 2024. Four years into the competition's history, Bafta-nominated director Jay Johnson decided to follow the lives of the singing hopefuls during the 2007 contest. More Trending Specifically focusing on the fortunes of Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Georgia, Sounds Like Tike Teen Spirit was a winner with critics. The winners in 2007 were Belarus, with singer Alexey Zhigalkovich taking home the title with his song S Druz'yami, which translates to With Friends. The film currently has a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 87%, making it the highest-regarded film in this list, and has won awards in France and Denmark. Watch Sounds Like Teen Spirit on Apple TV. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Graham Norton 'on many medications' after surgery before Eurovision Grand Final MORE: Mae Muller says she was 'thrown to the lions' at Eurovision 2023 MORE: Katie Price reveals her biggest regret over failed Eurovision Song Contest bid
