Come to Harm

When his mother relapses, 19 year-old Oliver is forced to go look for his younger brother in the world of crime throughout the night. For as long as he can remember, Oliver has been the head of the family. And unlike his single mother, whose drug addiction makes her unreliable at best, he has at least been able to hold down a job and take good care of his little brother, Hrafn. When Hrafn is kidnapped by drug dealers as a bargaining chip for his mother‘s debts, a hellish and life-changing night begins for Oliver. An astonishingly mature debut by the young Icelandic directing duo, who present an arresting portrait which varies between thriller and social drama as it shows us a glimpse into an underbelly of Iceland in stark contrast to tourism brochures. Onscreen Ásgeir, who wrote the screenplay and stars as Oliver, is remarkable. The exquisitely authentic presence of the actors and the catlike patient quiet capture of delicate unspoken moments pays off in spades as every choice progressively leads to a breathtaking climax. The soundtrack is like a heartbeat as the film dives to dark places... the dark places of the everyman... teen ... or boy. Omnipresent danger and a relentless realism make the film an experience full of emotional power and passion. Bold new voices and vision emerge under the northern lights of European disciplines and cinema.