Film Review - RAMS - Icelandic drama

Brothers Gummi and Kiddi herd their prize sheep into the mountains

Written and directed by Grímur Hákonarson, RAMS is the story of the relationship between two brothers in the harsh rural hinterland of Northern Iceland. Gummi (actor, Sigurður Sigurjónsson) and his older brother, Kiddi (actor, Theódór Júlíusson) both aged in their 60s live on adjoining farming properties but have not spoken to each other for over 40 years. Instead they communicate by written message delivered by their dog. Their livelihood and passion are their sheep and the annual Ram competition in the small Icelandic community which is their home. When the contagious sheep disease, scrapie, is discovered  in the valley and in Kiddi's prize ram, a crisis envelopes all the farming community as they face the destruction of their herds. Gummi and Kiddi's isolationist stance toward each other is finally broken as they make one last desperate gamble to save their prize breeding stock.

This is a film structured and fashioned within the Icelandic genre of deadpan, almost absurdist black humour and long brooding expressions of Icelandic stoicism. Sweeping landscapes and atmospheric effects abound in this film and as one reviewer commented, " if there's an end to this Earth, this must surely be the place".

American Politics - How Australians view a Donald J Trump US presidency

Donald J Trump

Polling research released by the Lowy Institute this month showing a bare majority of 51% of Australians support remaining close to the United States if Donald Trump is elected president should not be a surprise. In most respects Australian support for the United States has usually been affected by perceptions of the person holding the role of US President. In 2007 when George W Bush was US President, an extraordinary 69% of Australian adults indicated that he caused them to feel unfavourably towards the United States. Previous polls by the Lowy Institute have shown that, in general terms, Australians express strong support for the Australia - US Alliance in the range of 78% (2011) and 80% (2015) due to a regard for shared values and ideals. This support can and is substantially eroded by the actions of a US president in office. It is more unusual to have this effect occurring during the US primaries before an election has even been held.. The political rise of Donald Trump and the unease with which his public persona is viewed is reflected worldwide.

As of the end of April, Trump remains the front-runner for the Republican nomination with 996 delegates to the target number of 1,237 for the nomination.  He needs 241 delegates with only 571 votes still available hence he must win at least 42% of the remaining delegate vote. It is certainly a viable target to win.