Rams (2015) - Grímur Hákonarson

Taking place in a isolated valley in Iceland, Grimur Hakonarson's Rams tells the story of Gummi and Kiddi, two not-so-close brothers that hardly speak to one and other, who live directly next to each other, each tending to their flock of sheep.  Their ancestral sheep stock is legendary in Iceland, which leads the two brothers to continually but heads, as they compete against one and other repeatedly in a annual competition which decides who has the best Rams.  When a lethal disease infects Kiddi's flock the whole town becomes effected, as the authorities decide to slaughter all the flocks in the area to contain the outbreak.  Unable to part with his flock, not only due to the monetary means but also the simple affection he has for them, Gummi attempts to save the lineage of his flock by hiding them in his basement.  Rams is a unique and utterly compelling film, one that uses the borderline absurdity of its narrative to explore a host of fascinating themes.  Through effective slow-pacing and expressive cinematography, Rams takes its time establishing this setting which the brothers live, a secluded terrain that is steeped heavily in old farming traditions.  When the authorities decide to eradicate the flock, the tension is felt among those effected, as the film reminds the viewer that this is their way of life, their livelihood, quietly asking how you would react if you were forced to destroy everything you spent your blood, sweat, and tears building.  The farmers appreciation and care they have for their flock is essentially a religion, and the film does a great job at capturing how this disease isn't just stripping them of their financial livelihood but also their sense of purpose.  At it's core, Rams is really to story of two brothers reconnecting over a shared passion for one and other, as the Sheep crisis brings them together in the end.  Their relationship throughout the film is never fully described, with the filmmakers leaving their animosity for one and other as a bit of a mystery, which I'd argue only helps elevate the powerful, ambiuous climax.  One could argue that both Gummi and Kiddi's affection for their flock merely serves as a replacement for their lack of affection towards each other, and in the end, through potential tragedy, Kiddi realizes the love he always had for his younger brother.  While this whole review probably makes the film sound very serious, it's worth noting that Rams is a very comical experience at times, with the filmmakers finding the humor in the absurdity of these two brothers' obsession with their flocks.  In the end, what makes Grimur Hakonarson's Rams such a unique achievement is its ability to balance the absurdity and sincerity of its characters and story, being a film that finds the humor and comedy in its narrative while managing to never lose the emotional poignancy of this tale of two brothers.

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