Of Horses and Men. Director: Benedikt Erlingsson. Iceland. 2013. 81m. 15. Ingvar Eggert
Sigurosson, Charlotte Boving.
This subversively erotic and surreal black comedy-drama combines six interlocking fables of
rural life each including a powerful portayal of human-equine relations (the original Icelandic
title is ’Horse in Us’). Shot beautifully in the great Icelandic outdoors, it depicts a world of
violent emotions set against a cinematic love letter to the horse accompanied by an excellent
score from David Thor Jonsson.
WFC’s first Icelandic film was chosen to open our 2014/15 season as it is completely original
and has already (and deservedly) achieved cult status after a highly successful festival run. It
was Iceland’s submission for the 2014 Foreign Language Film Oscar.
It is highly
recommended by the committee members who saw it at the BFI screening weekend for film
societies.
Director Benedikt Erlingsson is an actor-turned-flm-maker - he performed in a von Trier film,
The Boss of it all, and brings something of the great man’s style to the film. Lead actor
Sigurosson is one of Iceland’s foremost stars.
“A hugely enjoyable film from the wild side of the wild side … it really resembles nothing else
around.” Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
”’Last of the Summer Wine’ as directed by Ingmar Bergman ... the viewpoint may be
unfamiliar, but the sights are unforgettable.” Robbie Collin, The Telegraph.
17 wins and 12 nominations including:
Best Director, Tokyo International Film Festival, Best New Director, San Sebastian
International Film Festival, Audience Award Goteborg Film Festival, Best Actress,
Amiens International Film Festival.