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The Juniper Tree (1990) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 2)
The Why (2009) -- In the beginning there is Boyo, consumed with grief over the rape and murder of his true love, Lula. He blames himself for her tragic fate and becomes obsessed with the memory of their perfection in each other’s eyes. This obsession consumes him and leads to suicide. But there is a surprise waiting for Boyo; at the moment he pulls the trigger his mind explodes and reforms into the world of The Why, his search for answers and meaning beginning anew. He finds himself in a surreal landscape surrounded by archetypal figures, messengers of confusion and misdirection. Boyo has crossed over but does not realize it as his journey continues towards a reunion with Lula. Derek is addicted to heroin and other hard drugs including experimentation with dilaudid, provided to him by his best friend, Freddie, and a stripper named Sadie. Unfortunately, Derek is betrayed and left to die by these two after overdosing and he finds himself inhabiting the place of memory where he is set upon and dismembered for his transgressions in life. He realizes that there was once a chance for redemption but now he is stripped away until completely laid bare, the skeleton of his soul all that is left. An unborn soul named Dais provides a connection between Boyo and Derek, between life and death. She has always existed in this place of memory though she seeks to know life, reliving moments of existence recalled from the brief time in her mother’s womb. Dais represents innocence; the purity that even the worst of us desire. Whether the whorish Sadie, Freddie, or Derek, each long to be children once more. In life she is within their grasp but they cannot help but forsake her, instead choosing their own addictions and dark cravings.
The Juniper Tree (1990) -- YouTube trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.0/10   223 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Nietzchka Keene
Writer:
Nietzchka Keene (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Juniper Tree on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
12 February 1993 (Iceland) more
Genre:
Drama | Fantasy more
Tagline:
A Twisted Tale of Witchcraft and Mysticism
Plot:
Margit and her older sister, Katla, flee their homeland in Iceland after their mother is killed for practicing witchcraft... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
1 nomination more
User Reviews:
A brooding fairytale... more (14 total)

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Björk ... Margit (as Björk Guðmundsdóttir)
Bryndis Petra Bragadóttir ... Katla
Valdimar Örn Flygenring ... Jóhann
Guðrún Gísladóttir ... Mother
Geirlaug Sunna Þormar ... Jónas
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Einitréð (Iceland) (informal title)
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Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
78 min
Country:
Iceland
Language:
English
Color:
Black and White
Sound Mix:
Dolby SR
Certification:
Iceland:L
Filming Locations:
Iceland more

Fun Stuff

Quotes:
[first lines]
Margit: Where did she go?
Katla: She became ashes and left with the wind.
Margit: And her soul?
Katla: Her soul... was tied with the heart of a bird.
Margit: And the tread will hold forever?
Katla: Until the bird's heart breaks.
more

FAQ

Why is it bright in the night scenes?
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User Reviews

   (Review this title)
2 out of 4 people found the following review useful.
A brooding fairytale..., 4 June 2006
8/10
Author: reicreature from United States

The Juniper Tree is one of the grimmer of the classic folktales recorded by the Grimm brothers. This movie is a artfully rendered interpretation of that fairytale.

Scandinavian films have a tendency towards a slower, subdued style and this movie is no exception. The grainy quality of the black and white images and that slower pace creates a dreamlike experience for the viewer that suits the plot well.

I would not recommend this movie for everyone. It is not particularly scary or exciting. It is however a great movie for fans of surreal dramas. People who enjoy David Lynch and Lars Fontrier movies will probably enjoy The Juniper Tree.

Was the above review useful to you?
more (14 total)

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Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Drama section IMDb Iceland section Add this title to MyMovies

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