When Harry Met Sally Swim-In Cinema event

When Harry Met Sally… was released in 1989, directed by Rob Reiner, and tells the story of Harry and Sally, their first encounter and a series of unexpected reunions over the following twelve years or so. Through countless memorable scenes, the film poses a fundamental question: can a man and a woman ever truly be just good friends—and leave it at that? When big questions are asked…

One of the defining characteristics of the Reykjavík International Film Festival has long been its fondness for presenting cinema in unusual and playful locations. This time, we screen When Harry Met Sally (1989) at Sundhöll Hafnarfjarðar on Herjólfsgata. The historic swimming pool, designed by Guðjón Samúelsson, will be transformed into a fully immersive cinema space. The atmosphere will be romantic, and guests can expect all manner of unexpected moments. The aim is for audiences to forget, if only briefly, that they are in the northern winds of Herjólfsgata—and instead feel as though they might be in Washington Square Park in New York, where parts of the film are set. After all, who wouldn’t want to meet Billy Crystal in a swimming pool?

Scenes from the film will be performed live, developed with the assistance of screenwriter Iðunn Gígja Kristjánsdóttir and brought to life by young emerging actors Bjarni Kristbjörnsson and Gúía Margrét Bjarnadóttir, acting students at the Iceland University of the Arts, who will step into the roles made famous by Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. The lighting will be romantic, and live jazz music inspired by the film will fill the space, with Búbblubandið performing well-known jazz standards and dancers appearing along the edges of the pool.

This will be timeless entertainment—and the choice of film also serves as a small tribute celebrating the remarkable career of the outstanding filmmaker Rob Reiner, who was murdered along with his wife late last year.

This will be far more than just a film screening. It will be an all-encompassing, vividly alive cinematic experience—unique and unforgettable.