Rams (Hrútar)
Icelandic drama about two sheep-herding brothers, living side by side in their secluded valley, who haven't spoken to each other for four decades. Un Certain Regard winner at Cannes 2015.
With a disease outbreak threatening both their income and their long-standing lifestyle, Gummi (Sigurður Sigurjónsson) and Kiddi (Theodór Júlíusson) each try to repel the external threat in their own way. They may not like it, but the brothers will have to accept the need to come together once more if they're to save their unique generation-spanning breed.
- Director:
- Grímur Hákonarson ('A Pure Heart', 'Summerland')
- Writer:
- Grímur Hákonarson
- Cast:
- Sigurður SigurjónssonTheodór JúlíussonCharlotte BøvingJon BenonyssonGunnar JónssonÞorleifur EinarssonSveinn Ólafur GunnarssonIngrid Jónsdóttir
Reviews & comments
Flicks, Adam Fresco
flicksLess really is more in this Icelandic tale of two elderly farmers and their flocks. The bushy-bearded brothers live in a remote village, just a short distance apart, yet, due to stubbornness, simmering hatred, and sibling prize-ram rivalry, haven’t spoken in four decades. Yup, they’re as hard-headed as their rams, but that doesn’t stop them communicating occasionally, via a note-carrying sheepdog.
Variety
pressA touching humanist drama set in a remote farming valley where two estranged brothers must come together to save what's dearest to them: their sheep.
Total Film
pressThere’s no doubting the film’s empathy for its protagonists. Shame, then, that the final-reel shift into tragedy feels misplaced.
The New York Times
pressDespite its affection for the quirks of its characters and their milieu, the film is most memorable for its gravity, for the almost tragic nobility it finds in sad and silly circumstances.
The Guardian
pressSigurður Sigurjónsson and Theodór Júlíusson are utterly convincing as the battling brothers whose alienation is expressed more through morosely bearded gesture than drunken buckshot dialogue.
Sydney Morning Herald
pressThis powerful volcanic landscape needs a complimentary style and Hakonarson brings one: long takes with little camera movement, almost a series of tableaux. It's similar to documentary but with a more poetic touch.
Los Angeles Times
press"Rams" is so much its own film that figuring out where its unusual, unpredictable plot will end up is difficult if not impossible.
Hollywood Reporter
pressA small story about two old estranged brothers and their animals gently morphs from gentle near-absurdist comedy to something close to tragedy.
Entertainment Weekly
pressThe film's touching final scene is imbued with the raw truth of a prairie fable told among shepherds over the centuries.
Empire Magazine
pressA masterclass in combining character and landscape that is played with deceptive poignancy by the excellent leads.
Flicks, Adam Fresco
flicksLess really is more in this Icelandic tale of two elderly farmers and their flocks. The bushy-bearded brothers live in a remote village, just a short distance apart, yet, due to stubbornness, simmering hatred, and sibling prize-ram rivalry, haven’t spoken in four decades. Yup, they’re as hard-headed as their rams, but that doesn’t stop them communicating occasionally, via a note-carrying sheepdog.
Variety
pressA touching humanist drama set in a remote farming valley where two estranged brothers must come together to save what's dearest to them: their sheep.
Total Film
pressThere’s no doubting the film’s empathy for its protagonists. Shame, then, that the final-reel shift into tragedy feels misplaced.
The New York Times
pressDespite its affection for the quirks of its characters and their milieu, the film is most memorable for its gravity, for the almost tragic nobility it finds in sad and silly circumstances.
The Guardian
pressSigurður Sigurjónsson and Theodór Júlíusson are utterly convincing as the battling brothers whose alienation is expressed more through morosely bearded gesture than drunken buckshot dialogue.
Sydney Morning Herald
pressThis powerful volcanic landscape needs a complimentary style and Hakonarson brings one: long takes with little camera movement, almost a series of tableaux. It's similar to documentary but with a more poetic touch.
Los Angeles Times
press"Rams" is so much its own film that figuring out where its unusual, unpredictable plot will end up is difficult if not impossible.
Hollywood Reporter
pressA small story about two old estranged brothers and their animals gently morphs from gentle near-absurdist comedy to something close to tragedy.
Entertainment Weekly
pressThe film's touching final scene is imbued with the raw truth of a prairie fable told among shepherds over the centuries.
Empire Magazine
pressA masterclass in combining character and landscape that is played with deceptive poignancy by the excellent leads.
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