Winner of the 2025 Nordic Council Film Prize
Rationale
With calm yet courageous vision, this story captures the essence of lonely island life. It goes far beyond the question of staying or leaving – it delves into personal grief, emotional paralysis, and the urgent challenges of an ecological crisis. After the main character Kári’s mother passes away, his family loses both direction and compassion, while dwindling fish stocks hint that Mother Earth herself is faltering. Through poetic contrasts – women swimming freely in the ocean set against the relentless rhythm of the factory – the film emphasises the vital need for reconnection.
Rather than relying on dramatic twists, the narrative gently unveils the quiet yet powerful struggle for survival and for family relations. With impressive performances from young talents supported by experienced actors, alongside breathtaking cinematography and a haunting score, the film stands as a landmark in Faroese – and Nordic – cinema.
For the first time, we are proud to warmly welcome the Faroe Islands into the fray of this prestigious Nordic competition and offer our heartfelt congratulations on this remarkable achievement.