1/16/2019
In the documentation about the rescue and care of the shipwrecked crew from the German trawler Friedrich Albert, which the screenplay “Svartur sandur” is based on, it is mentioned that Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany, awarded Dr. Bjarni Jensson, Dr. Þorgrímur Þórðarson, Reverend Magnús Bjarnason, and Sheriff Guðlaugur Guðmundsson with the Order of the Red Eagle. This was a token of gratitude and recognition from the German nation for rescuing and caring for the shipwrecked sailors. Midwife Guðríður Jónsdóttir, Dr. Bjarni’s sister-in-law, provided most of the nursing care, particularly for the five men who were amputated. She received a diamond brooch with the German emblem as a reward. Einar Magnús, who is writing the screenplay, was curious to find out where this brooch and the orders were and his search finally paid off today.
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In a newspaper article published in Morgunblaðið on November 1, 2018, Einar Magnús advertised for information about the brooch awarded to Guðríður. It wasn’t long before Jens Bjarnason, a descendant of Dr. Bjarni Jensson and nephew of Guðríður, contacted Einar Magnús and pointed out that the brooch was likely in the custody of the National Museum of Iceland. After a thorough search in the museum’s archives, the brooch and the order awarded to Bjarni were recently found. Initially, the items were not located because they had first been handed over to the Medical Museum, which is currently in a state of flux, and only recently had its items transferred to the National Museum of Iceland. The items had not yet been cataloged by the museum. With the diligent help of Freyja Ómarsdóttir, a specialist in the museum’s collection, the brooch and the order were found, and Einar Magnús and Finnbogi Helgason, the descendant of Dr. Bjarni Jensson, finally got to see these significant items today. Sigríður Jónsdóttir, the wife of Bjarni Jensson, was the sister of midwife Guðríður, and many believe she also deserved recognition for her efforts. Sigríður transformed their home at Breiðabólsstaður into a hospital in a short time. She sterilized everything and managed the household with such dedication and diligence that she is credited with the effective infection control that prevented infections in the men’s wounds during the surgeries.
“This brings one closer to the story that took place 116 years ago. This is the first time I’ve seen and touched something that passed through the hands of these people, and it gives me an even stronger feeling for the story and its reality. This has immeasurable emotional value, even though it doesn’t affect the story or its screenplay,” said Einar Magnús.
Finnbogi says that the story of these achievements has lived with the family all the time. Therefore, it is gratifying to see and know that efforts are being made to preserve this remarkable story.
Published on:
16/1/2019
in the category Screenwriting
