The results of a survey conducted by newspaper Fréttablaðið are in, and the people have spoken: Sódóma Reykjavík is the best Icelandic movie ever made.
The film, released in 1992, follows the misadventures of Axel, who is trying to recover a remote control so his mother can watch television. The film features a number of actors who are today household names, among them Helga Braga Jónsdóttir, Sigurjón Kjartansson and Reykjavík city councilman Ottar Proppé.
Written and directed by Óskar Jónasson, he expressed frank surprise at the results of the survey, telling Vísir that the film was never considered art by the critics, but was judged more for its entertainment value.
“But I’ve always loved this movie, and have had a lot of faith in it,” he said.
The movie provides the modern viewer with a peek into club life at a time when beer was illegal – in fact, one of the major plot points is a character attempting to be Iceland’s first mafia boss by smuggling liquor.
The Grapevine can personally attest that while it lacks the quiet reflective style of Friðrík Þór Friðríksson, or the dark brooding of Balthazar Kormákur, Sódóma Reykjavík is indeed an Icelandic classic. While employing the oft-used “character goes on zany goose chase” trope of many Icelandic comedies, it nonetheless grabs your attention from beginning to end and every minute is thoroughly enjoyable.