Rams (2015)

In a remote Icelandic farming valley, two brothers who haven't spoken in 40 years have to come together in order to save what's dearest to them - their sheep.

Director:

Grímur Hákonarson

Writer:

Grímur Hákonarson

Stars:

Sigurður Sigurjónsson, Theodór Júlíusson, Charlotte Bøving

31 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sigurður Sigurjónsson	...	Gummi
Theodór Júlíusson	...	Kiddi
Charlotte Bøving	...	Katrin
Jón Benónýsson	...	Runólfur
Gunnar Jónsson	...	Grímur
Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson	...	Bjarni
Þorleifur Einarsson	...	Sindri
Ingrid Jónsdóttir	...	Eygló
Jörundur Ragnarsson	...	Villi
Viktor Már Bjarnason	...	Finnur
Ólafur Ólafsson	...	Tóti
Jenný Lára Arnórsdóttir	...	Þórey
Guðrún Sveinbjörnsdóttir	...	Hildur
Sigurlína Tryggvadóttir	...	Sigurlína
Þorsteinn Gunnar Bjarnason	...	Beggi Lögga

Storyline

In a secluded valley in Iceland, Gummi and Kiddi live side by side, tending to their sheep. Their ancestral sheep-stock is considered one of the country's best and the two brothers are repeatedly awarded for their prized rams who carry an ancient lineage. Although they share the land and a way of life, Gummi and Kiddi have not spoken to each other in four decades. When a lethal disease suddenly infects Kiddi's sheep, the entire valley comes under threat. The authorities decide to cull all the animals in the area to contain the outbreak. This is a near death sentence for the farmers, whose sheep are their main source of income, and many abandon their land. But Gummi and Kiddi don't give up so easily - and each brother tries to stave off the disaster in his own fashion: Kiddi by using his rifle and Gummi by using his wits. As the authorities close in the brothers will need to come together to save the special breed passed down for generations, and themselves, from extinction.

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Plot Keywords:

sheep | ram | sheep farm | brother brother reconciliation | brother brother relationship | 

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Taglines:

A Tragicomedy about brothers who haven't spoken in four decades

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and brief graphic nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Icelandic Film Centre Page

Country:

Iceland Denmark Norway Poland

Language:

Icelandic

Release Date:

28 May 2015 (Iceland)

Also Known As:

Bland män och får

Filming Locations:

Iceland

Box Office

Budget:

€1,750,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$13,289, 7 February 2016, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$141,922, 10 April 2016

Company Credits

Production Co:

Aeroplan Film, Det Danske Filminstitut, Film Farms

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sold to over 40 territories.

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Crazy Credits

The sheep are credited as actors.

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Connections

Referenced in Film 2017: Episode #45.3 (2016)

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Soundtracks

Í Fögrum Dal
Song by Emil Thoroddsen
Lyrics by Jón Thoroddsen
Performed by Sigurður Skagfield and Band

User Reviews

Sheep and stubborn men

'Rams' is a delightful film, for several reasons.

First, it shows the traditional way of living at the remote Icelandic countryside, a harsh environment where only sheep and stubborn bearded men seem to be able to survive. The beautiful landscape and the traditional farming community are a wonderful setting for this film.

Secondly, it tells a story with so much nice little details, that it's hard not to like it. It's about two brothers who live a few hundred meters from each other but haven't spoken to each other for 40 years. They communicate, if necessary, by writing letters which are carried from one house to the other by a sheepdog. When their flocks of expertly bred sheep are diagnosed with a deadly disease, their lives are turned upside down.

Thirdly, it is a bittersweet drama with a very positive feeling to it. There are many funny moments, filled with the typical deadpan Scandinavian humour. When one of the brothers finds the other lying motionless in the snow, drunk and possibly freezing to death, he picks him up with a large mechanical shovel, deposits him in front of a nearby hospital, and leaves without even getting out of his machine. But as much as they detest each other, the circumstances make an emotional cease-fire inevitable.

This is one of those little gems that deserve to make it to the final selections of the foreign language Oscars. 'Rams' was submitted by Iceland, but not selected for the final shortlist. What a pity.