The Higher Force (2008)

Ashamed for being a debt-collecting thug, David believes that he is an ugly duckling waiting to become a swan. Through an unlikely mentor he finds out that life has indeed something very special in store for him.

Director:

Olaf de Fleur Johannesson

Writers:

Olaf de Fleur Johannesson (screenplay), Rune Kippervik (screenplay development)

Stars:

Pétur Jóhann Sigfússon, Ingvar Sigurdsson, Eggert Þorleifsson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Pétur Jóhann Sigfússon	...	Davíð
Ingvar Sigurdsson	...	Magnús (as Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson)
Eggert Þorleifsson	...	Haraldur
Ilmur Kristjánsdóttir	...	Júlía
Michael Imperioli	...	Alexander
Benedikt Erlingsson	...	Snati
Stefan C. Schaefer	...	Wolfi
Joi Johannsson	...	Ásgeir (as Jóhann G. Jóhannsson)
Erpur Eyvindarson	...	Elvar
Unnur Vilhjálmsdóttir	...	Anna
Hilmir Snær Guðnason	...	Prestur
Sigurjón Kjartansson	...	Óskar
Zlatko Krickic	...	Mustang
Einar Örn Einarsson	...	Head Waiter
Jón Gnarr	...	Ráðgjafi (scenes deleted)

Storyline

As a young boy David witnessed a fatal car accident, causing the death of his younger brother. Since then he has sought comfort in a Chinese philosophy video called The Higher Force. To this day, the wisdom of the Higher Force is guiding David through life and despite him being a member of questionable gang of debt-collectors, David is certain that fate has something greater in store for him. Upon moving into a new building, David befriends the landlord, Harald, a lonely elementary school teacher, who senses the young man's insecurity and need for guidance. When Harald finds out that David is a member of a debt-collectors gang, Harald starts playing himself as a big crime lord, owning real estate all over town, employing dubious characters and receiving large shipments of illegal goods from abroad. David's low status amongst his debt-collector mates, who keep putting him down for being a coward, quickly changes once David starts feeding them information on Harald, the mysterious crime...

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Plot Keywords:

life | 

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Taglines:

Almost a Kung Fu Film

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Co-producer Thorvardur Bjorgulfsson who provided the HD gear to shoot the film, loved the script so much that he insisted on becoming a co-producer.

User Reviews

Admit it: you didn't have this image of Iceland.

Iceland has historically been seen as one of the most pristine, idealistic places on Earth. The island's economic collapse in 2007-2008 threw water on this perception, but it rebounded by prosecuting the bankers and essentially bailing out the people. It's safe to say that the country has regained its positive stereotype.

Not if you watch Olaf de Fleur's "Stóra planið" ("The Higher Force" in English), though. This movie depicts a debt collector. I'm talking one real lowlife. I've seen a number of movies from the Scandinavian countries - yes, I count Iceland in that number - which depict people's lives as lowly and miserable, or depict nasty individuals. This stands in sharp contrast to the stereotype of the Nordic countries as immaculate utopias. I suppose that there's bound to be something gritty below the surface.

About half the movie is in Icelandic, half in English, with a little bit of Chinese. Most of the cast won't be recognizable to US audiences, but Michael Imperioli of "The Sopranos" plays a supporting role. I guess that I recommend the movie as an alternate look at Iceland, beyond the stories of the economic meltdown and the images of geothermal springs. Not a great movie, but OK in a pinch. Ísland lifa að eilífu!

Details

Country:

Iceland

Language:

English Icelandic Mandarin

Release Date:

28 March 2008 (Iceland)

Also Known As:

Felsőbb erő

Filming Locations:

Iceland

Box Office

Budget:

ISK80,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$256,210

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cicala Filmworks, Icelandic Film Center, Kukl

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1