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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Drama

---

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.

---

Crazy Credits

The sheep are credited as actors.

---

Connections

Remade as Rams

---

Soundtracks

Rams
by Atli Örvarsson
2015 Lakeshore Records

User Reviews

Icelandic Mix of Darkness and Light

Love and hate have many things in common. Each, wrote Hawthorne, "leaves the passionate lover, or the no less passionate hater, forlorn and desolate by the withdrawal of his object." In the remote landscape of distant Iceland two neighbors, Gummi and Kiddi, nurse a fervent hatred. It has simmered for forty years running and despite the many things they have in common. Like many Icelanders, where there are more sheep (800,000) than people (300,000), they share a passion for sheep. Not THAT passionate! The calling to raise sheep is intertwined with their nature. The discovery of scrapie among the sheep, a lethal and highly contagious disease, should draw Gummi and Kiddi closer together. With the lengths they go to avoid each other, it is hard to see how much further they could be apart. Yet with true Icelandic spirit they try their best to maintain their independence and go their separate ways. The results are both hilarious and tragic.

The film is a typical Icelandic mix of darkness and light. The line is blurred between independence and isolation. The director maintains it is based on personal experience and real life situations. The themes of love and hate, as well as seclusion and self-reliance, really resonate with me. The two main characters are unique and intriguing as the film, and their parts are played well. Someone asked the director how hard it was to direct sheep and he replied that it was easier casting and directing sheep than people. Winner of the Un Certain Regard prize at Cannes. Seen at the Toronto International Film Festival 2015.