Synopsis
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. 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.
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Cast
- Sigurður SigurjónssonGummi
- Theodór JúlíussonKiddi
- Charlotte BøvingKatrin
- Jón BenónýssonRunólfur
- Gunnar JónssonGrímur
- Sveinn Ólafur GunnarssonBjarni
- Þorleifur EinarssonSindri
- Ingrid JónsdóttirEygló
- Jörundur RagnarssonVilli
- Viktor Már BjarnasonFinnur
Recommendations
- 100
Village Voice
The movie, wry and melancholy, doesn't linger over its artistry. - 90
Variety
As Hakonarson’s beautifully modulated film progresses, recurring images contrast and poignantly resonate with meaning. - 80
Screen Daily
Rams may sound bleak and unforgiving but it has a generous spirit and wit that make it entirely accessible. - 80
The Hollywood Reporter
Hakonarson observes all this with the practiced eye of a good documentarian but, in the compositions, the rigorous timing of the editing and the performances of the two leads, he lifts the material beyond the observational to a modestly accomplished work that not only neatly observes an obscure lifestyle but brings to life a most peculiar sibling relationship. - 80
CineVue
Rams is a truly remarkable, eccentric work. - 80
Empire
Switching from dour humour to humanist drama without seeming contrived, this is a masterclass in combining character and landscape that is played with deceptive poignancy by the excellent leads. - 80
Time Out London
This low-key charmer of a movie packs an unexpected emotional punch once the brothers finally manage a rapprochement of sorts. - 75
The Playlist
When it reveals its true colors late on, as less of an examination of a rarefied lifestyle and more of an ancient story of brotherhood broken and remade, the cumulative power of all those observed moments comes through.
