Beyond the Moon is based on a story that took place in January 1903 when twelve German fishermen stranded their ship on a remote south coast of Iceland. For eleven days, the men searched for shelter and rescue on black desert sand that was surrounded by impassable glaciers, glacial rivers, and quicksand that could swallow both humans and animals. Two of them died and one disappeared. Finally, when all hope seemed lost, nine of them found shelter on an isolated Icelandic farm. Because of life-threatening frost damage, five of them were amputated on the dinner table at the farm.

For many years Einar Magnús has been working on research in Iceland, Holland, and Germany on this story and events related to it. In 2018, he discovered memoirs written by Captain Georg Büschen detailing the shipwreck in Iceland. Georg’s memoirs provide valuable insights into events that rank among some of the greatest achievements in history. They reveal the extraordinary resourcefulness and determination of the characters, who faced merciless situations. Additionally, the memoirs highlight the heroic actions of rural Icelanders and doctors.