Sydney Film Festival 2014 - Film Review - Of Horses and Men

Still from Of Horses and Men

Icelandic law prevents the importation of foreign horses into Iceland hence the special relationship between humans and this particular breed of Icelandic horse is the subject of a very quirky, dark humoured film by screenwriter and director, Benedikt Erlingsson.  This film is a series of vignettes against the background of a romance between two key characters, Solveig and Kolbeinn from a small village in the countryside of Iceland. Like many of the films from that part of the world, there are truly macabre scenes mixed into various parallel storyline throughout the duration of the film. In one sequence a man swims out into a coastal shipping lane on the back of his Icelandic pony to purchase illicit vodka from a large Russian fishing trawler. On his return to shore with his horse, he passes away from alcohol poisoning. In another scene, a farmer gives chase on his tractor to a trespassing neighbour (who is on horseback) but meets his demise after rolling his tractor down a steep hill. Periodically the film returns to the small, dour village chapel for the various funerals of bit part characters. Central to the film is the portrayal of humans and horses as having streaks of behaviour surprisingly similar to each other.

For those who enjoy quirky ironic humour, odd characters and the evocative landscape of Iceland, this film is a must see art-house pleasure. It is a well-paced feature with multiple unusual storylines and quality principal photography. An appreciation of small Icelandic ponies is also a pre-requisite.