Dagur spent his formative years playing in rock-bands, studying photography and contemplating a career as a writer. Upon discovering the works of Jim Jarmusch, Aki Kaurismaki and Francois Truffaut, Dagur gravitated towards film-making; the ideal umbrella for all his interests. Dagur graduated from the National Film School of Denmark in 1999, with the award winning short: Lost Weekend.
Noi the Albino (Nói Albínói) is Dagur’s feature debut (2003). It swept over 20 awards at festivals around the world and had successful theatrical release in over 30 territories, establishing Dagur as an international name in Art House cinema. His second film Dark Horse was in the official selection at Cannes Film Festival in 2005 (Un Certain Regard). Shot in New York, The Good Heart, was premiered at Toronto Film Festival in 2009 – starring Brian Cox, Paul Dano and Isild Le Besco. Dagur´s latest feature Virgin Mountain was in the official selection at The Berlinale in 2015. It won 3 major prizes at Tribeca Film Festival (Best film, best script, best actor) and went on to win a dozen more at festivals around the world.
Along with long-time collaborator, Orri Jonsson, Dagur has made the soundtrack for all his films.