Icelandic director Thordur Palsson (Valhalla Murders) presents a chilly, atmospheric 19th-century cautionary tale of fishermen who turn their backs on their fellow seafarers and suffer the consequences.
A fishing crew prepares for the harshest part of winter in Iceland's West Fjords, when daylight hours are few. The leader, Magnus, has died, leaving his widowed wife Eva (Odessa Young) as the boat's owner and de facto foreman. As food is scarce, they rely on good alcohol, each other's company, and heartwarming ghost stories to warm their stomachs and maintain their vigor. The group's cook, Helga (Siobhan Finneran), may be the best storyteller of all, due to her pagan beliefs. She shares a story of one brother who killed another out of hidden jealousy.
Director: Thordur PalssonWriters: Jamie Hannigan, Thordur PalssonStars: Odessa Young, Joe Cole, Lewis Gribben
The next day, the group prepares to go fishing, but stops when they see a ship approaching, wrecked in the fjords that surround the peninsula like teeth. Due to food shortages, they eventually decide to leave the stranded crew to fend for themselves. Guilt over their actions begins to eat away at their conscience, driving a wedge between this rough group of workers with differing worldviews.
THE DAMNED draws inspiration from Norse folk tales about the draugr, reanimated undead corpses, to create a period piece about the cost of denying help to strangers. Cinematographer Eli Arenson makes the most of the maritime setting with gorgeously framed shots of the surrounding landscape and waters. The sea appears in almost every frame of the film, always reminding us of its presence. Iceland’s harsh winters serve as a character, keeping the group trapped and dependent on one another.
The talented cast of indie actors, including Odessa Young (THE STAIRCASE, SHIRLEY), Joe Cole (GREEN ROOM) and Siobah Finneran (DOWNTON ABBEY), take ownership of this atmospheric, creepy setting and push it to the limit every step of the way. For fans of gated community horror like THE WITCH, APOSTLE and THE RITUAL.
It will screen in its world premiere during the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival in the Spotlight Narrative section.
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