Two films by Icelandic directors nominated for Nordic Council Film Prize
This years nominations for the Nordic Council Film Prize include two films by Icelandic directors. Lamb, by Valdimar Jóhannsson, is Iceland's contribution, while Godland, by Hlynur Pálmason, is Denmark's contribution.
A total of five Nordic films have been nominated for the Nordic Council Film Prize 2022 – celebrating 20 years this year. The nominees will be presented at the opening of the New Nordic Films event during the Norwegian Film Festival in Haugesund, Norway. The winner will be announced in Helsinki 1 November.
Lamb is a supernatural drama about an Icelandic couple who live with their herd of sheep on a beautiful but remote farm. When they discover a mysterious new-born on their land, they decide to keep it and raise it as their own. This unexpected development, and the prospects of a new family, brings them much joy before ultimately destroying them.
Excerpt from jury's rationale:
In a unique and darkly menacing fashion, LAMB combines Iceland‘s tradition of pastoral cinema and the literary heritage of the folk tale. Working within these parameters, the director adds a rich layer of religious symbolism and aspects of the kammerspiel to create a unique tale of wonder, loss and horror. As certain aspects of the narrative unfold, the film presents a world where human definitions and desires are exposed as suspect and ordinary life appears alien.
Godland is set in the late 19th century, and tells a story of a young Danish priest who travels to a remote part of Iceland to build a church and photograph its people. But the deeper he goes into the unforgiving landscape, the more he strays from his purpose, the mission and morality.
Excerpt from jury's rationale:
The film is based on the first photographs found in Iceland, and unlike the priest, Pálmason does succeed in his difficult mission: To make the past come alive for us with an unpredictable story and beautiful images, the encapsulation in 4:3 format makes the landscapes stand out in a new light.
Pálmason brings together the themes of masculinity and his incredible aesthetic sense from the previous films in his career's largest and most thought-provoking work to date.
Finland nominates Sokea mies joka ei halunnut nähdä Titanicia (The Blind Man Who Did Not Want to See Titanic), by Teemu Nikki. Norway nominates Verdens verste menneske (The Worst Person in the World), by Joachim Trier. Sweden nominates Clara Sola, by Maria Camila Arias.
To read more about the Nordic Council Film Prize: CLICK HERE.