Black's Game (2012)
"Svartur á leik" (original title)

After being reacquainted with a childhood friend Stebbi joins the drug trade world in order to pay off his debt. Inspired by actual events.

Director:

Óskar Thór Axelsson

Writers:

Óskar Thór Axelsson (script writer), Stefán Máni (novel)

Stars:

Thor Kristjansson, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Damon Younger

3 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Thor Kristjansson	...	Stebbi psycho (as Þorvaldur Davið Kristjánsson)
Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson	...	Tóti
Damon Younger	...	Bruno
María Birta	...	Dagný (as Maria Birta Bjarnadóttir)
Vignir Rafn Valþórsson	...	Robbi Rotta
Egill Einarsson	...	Sævar K
Björn Jörundur Friðbjörnsson	...	Óskar tattoo
Ísak Hinriksson	...	Nóri litli
Andri Már Birgisson	...	Rósi
Þór Jóhannesson	...	Eddi Krueger
Rúnar Freyr Gíslason	...	Árni Jónsson
Hilmar Jonsson	...	Konráð Geirsson (as Hilmar Jónsson)
Þröstur Leó Gunnarsson	...	Jói Faraó
Steinn Ármann Magnússon	...	Einar skakki
Sveinn Geirsson	...	Viktor (as Sveinn Þ. Geirsson)

Storyline

In the mid to late 90's, the Reykjavik crime and drug scene saw a drastic change from a relatively small and innocent world into a much more aggressive and violent one.. The film tells the story of this change through the fictional gang of pushers that took control of Iceland's underworld.

---

Plot Keywords:

drugs | iceland | amphetamine | orgy | reference to slayer | 

---

Genres:

Crime | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexuality, some graphic nudity, brutal violence including a sexual assault, disturbing behavior, pervasive drug content and language

Details

Country:

Iceland

Language:

Icelandic

Release Date:

12 February 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Black's Game

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmus Productions, Zik Zak Kvikmyndir

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Features The Eurovision Song Contest (1999)

---

Soundtracks

"Intro"
Written by Árni Plúseinn

User Reviews

Solid Icelandic Gangster Movie • 7/10

This is basically a stylish and well made Icelandic gangster flick, set in 1999 and showing a group of low level hoods looking to move up the food chain using drugs and violence. Stebbi (Thor Kristjansson) is a young dealer who ends up owing money and inadvertently becomes a gang member alongside Tóti. Tóti is played brilliantly by the only actor who has any experience, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson. The stunning María Birta, who plays Dagný, and Thor are newcomers to movies but hold their own in this decent little Indie. I'm pretty sure this film will be internationally recognised, and rightly so. Having Chris Briggs involved couldn't hurt. Mr Briggs has produced some very well known films such as, the 'Hostel' trio and 'Godsend' among others.

There are nods to a few well known Hollywood gangster movies, 'The Godfather' being the most obvious, horses and all, lol. There are nice touches of the directors style here and there and his influences are there for all to see. It's not a perfect film by any stretch of the imagination but it's a rock solid film from a country that isn't known for knocking out box office classics but by the looks of things, it's about to change.

The bottom line is, it's well acted, graphic violence, decent writing, productions not it's best feature but it's a damn fine gangster flick.

Highly Recommended

Score: 7/10

N∆V ∞ [e-mail]