Iceland isn't exactly known for their film industry, but both experiences I've had with it have been good ones. The first one being 101 Reykjavik, which got some attention because its director Baltasar Kormákur (who also directed Jar City), being fluent in Spanish, managed to court internationally known Spanish actress Victoria Abril to feature in it. It was also partially English speaking, so it was more accessible to those who couldn't bear to read subtitles for 90 minutes. It was also an excellent film, better than the one I'm about to get to.
First of all, let me say, that based on personal experience, Iceland is fucking fantastic country. Not a lot of people pay attention to what happens there, but having been fortunate enough to have visited twice, once in the summer and once in the Aurora Borealis laden winter, I have nothing but positive things to say about it. It's got a lot to offer, and I hope to live there at least for a year or two, one day.
That said, Jar City is the kind of film whose plot you'd expect to see aired on T.V. in America. It's a murder mystery, there's quick editing, a few standard plot twists, etc. You just wouldn't expect to see it with this kind of cinematography. Breathtaking would be the overused, pretentious way to put it, but it truly is. It's almost like another planet there, and Bergsteinn Björgúlfsson captures every foot of it. If you've never seen Scandinavia, hell even if you have, but haven't seen Iceland, you should really see this. If you can tell me it looks like another part of the world, I'd love to know which one, because having been all throughout Scandinavia, I can't think of anywhere that resembles some of the countryside/city life that's shown via an aerial view that I missed out on when I was actually in Iceland. The bluish filter used feels a bit gimmicky at times, but overall it adds something to the film that usually takes away from a film.
There are flaws. As I said the plot isn't exactly A plus work. It's passable, hell it's easily passable when compared to most Hollywood thrillers, but it's still not that great. There are two simultaneous story lines at work as well, and though they're not in the same time period, there's no way of really knowing until the end, when it's hastily wrapped up. Performances are solid but nothing to write home about, with the exception of Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson, who should get some kind of international attention, and fast. I also fell somewhat in love with Ágústa Eva Erlendsdóttir, who plays Eva, a drug addicted prostitute. How that worked out I have no clue.
I'm painfully aware that these kind of films don't have an audience here based solely on availability (or lack thereof), but again if you have a chance to see it, (I saw it on an international dvd with Swedish subtitles), I imagine it could be out on Region 1 somewhere. It wouldn't surprise me, given the subject matter.
It's worth seeing this film for the sole fact that the main lead orders a Boiled Lamb's head at a fast food place, drive through style. Culture shock even for those of us who come from less than prosperous countries. Enjoy.
First of all, let me say, that based on personal experience, Iceland is fucking fantastic country. Not a lot of people pay attention to what happens there, but having been fortunate enough to have visited twice, once in the summer and once in the Aurora Borealis laden winter, I have nothing but positive things to say about it. It's got a lot to offer, and I hope to live there at least for a year or two, one day.
That said, Jar City is the kind of film whose plot you'd expect to see aired on T.V. in America. It's a murder mystery, there's quick editing, a few standard plot twists, etc. You just wouldn't expect to see it with this kind of cinematography. Breathtaking would be the overused, pretentious way to put it, but it truly is. It's almost like another planet there, and Bergsteinn Björgúlfsson captures every foot of it. If you've never seen Scandinavia, hell even if you have, but haven't seen Iceland, you should really see this. If you can tell me it looks like another part of the world, I'd love to know which one, because having been all throughout Scandinavia, I can't think of anywhere that resembles some of the countryside/city life that's shown via an aerial view that I missed out on when I was actually in Iceland. The bluish filter used feels a bit gimmicky at times, but overall it adds something to the film that usually takes away from a film.
There are flaws. As I said the plot isn't exactly A plus work. It's passable, hell it's easily passable when compared to most Hollywood thrillers, but it's still not that great. There are two simultaneous story lines at work as well, and though they're not in the same time period, there's no way of really knowing until the end, when it's hastily wrapped up. Performances are solid but nothing to write home about, with the exception of Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson, who should get some kind of international attention, and fast. I also fell somewhat in love with Ágústa Eva Erlendsdóttir, who plays Eva, a drug addicted prostitute. How that worked out I have no clue.
I'm painfully aware that these kind of films don't have an audience here based solely on availability (or lack thereof), but again if you have a chance to see it, (I saw it on an international dvd with Swedish subtitles), I imagine it could be out on Region 1 somewhere. It wouldn't surprise me, given the subject matter.
It's worth seeing this film for the sole fact that the main lead orders a Boiled Lamb's head at a fast food place, drive through style. Culture shock even for those of us who come from less than prosperous countries. Enjoy.
