An inventive take on the symbiotic relationship between man and animal, Of Horses and Men is a darkly comic collection of vignettes set in a provincial Icelandic village. Against a breathtaking seaside landscape, a cast of hot-blooded characters struggle to connect with nature and each other. Among them, a pair of wistful human lovers are thwarted by equine libidos, sparking their tentative courtship into action; a determined alcoholic gets his last ride at sea from a surprisingly seaworthy companion; and an adventurous tourist sets off for a leisurely ride on horseback that spirals into a quest for survival. The lines between species blur seamlessly throughout these memorable tales, reflecting love, death and the quirks of human and beast alike. An ode the majestic beauty of horses, lauded stage director Benedikt Erlingsson’s film debut captures the passions and idiosyncrasies of a close-knit community and the primal desires hidden within all of us.
“Spellbinding. Extraordinary scenes of equestrians and high-strung animals interacting in the stunningly beautiful Icelandic countryside.”
Stephen Holden
The New York Times
“A wondrously strange affair, full of beautiful imagery of Icelandic horses set against rugged, frozen backdrops.”
Geoffrey Macnab
Independent
“The best Icelandic Noir equine comedy I have ever seen."
Kate Muir
Times (UK)
“A remarkable big screen debut…absorbing and intriguing.”
Mark Adams
Screen International
4 stars! “Glorious…spectacular…tender, delicate and funny. An incredible film.”
Peter Bradshaw
The Guardian
4 stars! “Inventive, offbeat and at times Jaw-dropping.”
David Parkinson
Empire
4 stars! “A heart-swelling and frostily beautiful debut….seductively strange. a dream come true for horse-lovers”
Robbie Collin
The Telegraph
4 stars! “Wonderful.”
Jamie Graham
Total Film
4 stars! “Hysterically funny.”
Emma Simmonds
Little White Lies
Winner! San Sebastián International Film Festival 2013 Kuntxa Award - Best New Director, Benedikt Erlingsson
Winner! Tokyo International Film Festival 2013 – Best Director, Benedikt Erlingsson
Winner! 6 Edda Awards, Iceland 2014 – including Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Actor
Official Submission for Iceland, Academy Awards® 2014– Best Foreign Language Film
San Francisco International Film Festival 2014 Nominee - New Directors Prize, Benedikt Erlingsson
