This film exquisitely spotlights the Icelandic countryside and for that in itself is worth seeing.
It is also an inspiring story about pursuing a dream even if it is hard, and scary, and you leave everything behind that is familiar.
Kristin Audur Sophusdottir is lovely as Sigga, a 17-year-old who doesn't need her parents' approval to embrace her view of the future. She has a bevy of friends who will miss her, but they understand that now is the time to act.
Along the way, Sigga meets American traveler Nikki (Tom Maden), who is as infatuated with her beauty as he is with her homeland, and he can't understand why she'd leave. With California in the shape it's in now, I'd have to agree. But I am biased. I am a lover of Iceland and its language, and I can't wait to go back myself. (Current inflation makes the prospect somewhat daunting.)
What troubles me about this film is that the largely Icelandic cast speaks English, rather than Icelandic with English subtitles. The archaic and fascinating language of Iceland is at risk in the country of just 320,000, as younger people demonstrate an amazing grasp of English and English is the language of technology.
This movie awakens a fear in me that more films from Iceland will be produced in this way, making them more effortlessly accessible to an international audience.
Aside from that, though, I recommend this film, beautifully scored not with music, but with song.
Wishing you well, young Sigga...
It is also an inspiring story about pursuing a dream even if it is hard, and scary, and you leave everything behind that is familiar.
Kristin Audur Sophusdottir is lovely as Sigga, a 17-year-old who doesn't need her parents' approval to embrace her view of the future. She has a bevy of friends who will miss her, but they understand that now is the time to act.
Along the way, Sigga meets American traveler Nikki (Tom Maden), who is as infatuated with her beauty as he is with her homeland, and he can't understand why she'd leave. With California in the shape it's in now, I'd have to agree. But I am biased. I am a lover of Iceland and its language, and I can't wait to go back myself. (Current inflation makes the prospect somewhat daunting.)
What troubles me about this film is that the largely Icelandic cast speaks English, rather than Icelandic with English subtitles. The archaic and fascinating language of Iceland is at risk in the country of just 320,000, as younger people demonstrate an amazing grasp of English and English is the language of technology.
This movie awakens a fear in me that more films from Iceland will be produced in this way, making them more effortlessly accessible to an international audience.
Aside from that, though, I recommend this film, beautifully scored not with music, but with song.
Wishing you well, young Sigga...