LAMB / DÝRIÐ
In a secluded part of Iceland, a married couple welcomes an unexpected gift of nature which they believe is presented to them in the form of a mysterious newborn. However, nature is not in agreement with them. Béla Tarr acts as producer, Noomi Rapace gives one of her best performances and the bold combination of folklore drama and supernatural horror secures its newcomer director’s recognition not unlike that achieved by Robert Eggers (“The Lighthouse”) thanks to the similar atmosphere and logic of “The Witch”. Winner of the Prize of Originality at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
ICELAND, SWEDEN, POLAND | 2021 | ΕΓΧΡΩΜΟ | COLOR | DCP | 106’ | ICELANDIC
In isolated winter Iceland, a farmer couple, trying to get back on their feet after a personal tragedy, find surprising comfort in an unexpected gift from nature, as they perceive it, presented to them in the form of a mysterious newborn. But nature does not seem to agree with this weird form of care…
‘Lamb’, produced by Bela Tarr and with Noomi Rapace in a slow-burning performance full of tension, is a bold combination of folklore drama and supernatural horror, belonging to a genre where the less you know, the more you appreciate its secrets. A confident debut with unusual screenplay, winner of the Prize of Originality (‘Un Certain Regard’, Cannes), bound to create for its director a reputation the one ‘The Witch’ created for Robert Eggers. L.K.
DIRECTOR: Valdimar Jóhannsson
ΣΕΝΑΡΙΟ: Sjón, Valdimar Jóhannsson
ΦΩΤΟΓΡΑΦΙΑ: Eli Arenson
ΜΟΝΤΑΖ: Agnieszka Glińska
ΗΘΟΠΟΙΟΙ: Noomi Rapace, Hilmir Snær Guðnason, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson
VALDIMAR JÓHANNSSON
Icelandic director born in 1978. During 2013-2015 he attended Bela Tarr’s doctorate in Sarajevo. He has been active for two decades now in the Icelandic cinema world, previously directing short films. He lives in Reykjavik.
FILMOGRAPHY
2021 Lamb