When Icelandic band Sigur Rós posted an offer on its Web site to show its new film, “Heima,” in the hometowns of those interested, University student Michael Bykhovsky took the group up on the idea.

“I didn’t think much of it at first, but I figured I might as well try,” said the senior from Alpharetta. “Next thing I knew, XL Records contacted me about bringing the movie to Athens and promoting it.”

Bykhovksy decided that Sigur Rós and “Heima” would fit in at Athens Ciné rather than other local theaters.

“The appeal of Ciné as an art house goes hand in hand with Sigur Rós and their music,” he said.

Kamala Lyons, public relations director at Ciné, said the screening fell perfectly into the theater’s schedule – but for one day only.

” (Sigur Rós is) hard to define exactly – kind of ethereal, atmospheric and can be both powerfully intense and sweetly delicate at the same time,” Lyons said of the band’s music.

Together since 1994, the band consists of Jón _or Birgisson (vocals, guitars), Kjartan Sveinsson (keyboards), Orri Páll Dyrason (drums) and Georg Holm (bass).

The group’s first album, “von,” was quickly dubbed experimental. The next album, “ág�tis byrjun” (translated to “a good beginning”), was released in Iceland in 1999 only to be found by record executives in the UK for a 2000 worldwide debut of Sigur Rós.

“They’re one of those bands that you can’t place a strict genre on, but that’s what makes them unique,” Bykhovsky said. “I first heard them in early 2002 when I picked up “ág�tis byrjun” on a whim, and I immediately fell in love with their music.”

Since then, the band has made a name for itself with international tours and three more albums, including a remix record and this documentary-like film about the tour in Iceland (“Heima”).

The film examines a vast range of concerts of all sizes in 15 locations, from a deserted smalltown fish factory to a massive performance in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik.

“It’s more cinematic in style than other standard (documentaries) with interviews and talking heads and seems to really focus on the unique sense of place that is Iceland, involving the country, people and landscape as a character that has helped to shape Sigur Rós’s music and sensibilities,” Lyons said.

“Heima” was released on DVD in America, but the high-definition film featuring completely live music by the band is available on the big screen at Ciné three times today. Ticket sales benefit Athens Relay for Life Association.

“This is a great chance to see Sigur Rós performing live on the big screen and the music really sounds amazing through the state of the art sound system in the theater,” Lyons said.

Bykhovsky, who is also involved with Athens Relay for Life Association, said the organization will have a table set up for further donations at the screenings.

“And all of those who attend the movie will be able to receive a free special recording of a Sigur Rós song compliments of XL Records and Sigur Rós,” he said.