MovieChat Forums > Ófærð (2017) Discussion > not very niceland!! (minor spoilers)

not very niceland!! (minor spoilers)

posted 9 years ago by strangebedfellows
23 replies | jump to latest

I have just started watching this ten parter on BBC. I found it quite interesting and atmospheric - the character of the main policeman is strong,and his personal storyline engaging if not original. I noticed that first names are used all the time when conversations take place - maybe this is to make sure you know who everybody is and as there are quite a few characters it's probably a good thing.
I already hate the main characters wife !! How cruel to bring a new boyfriend to the house where her ex-husband and her children reside!. His daughter Perla is quite a repulsive character at the moment also but I have the feeling that she will improve.
I was surprised at the stupidy shown by the policeman in particular when guarding the child trafficker - and surprised also that a police station would only be manned by one person.
It will be interesting to see how the fire in the beginning relates to current events - if indeed it does and does not meander into a sub-plot.
I am looking forward to the next episodes which convey the coldness of the place admirably - you need to watch this from under a warm blanket !!!

[–] ChronicAlcoholic 9 years ago

First names are always used in Iceland, we have a patronymic naming system and everyone here is referred to by first name, be it a kid or the president.

This is a typical small coastal town in Iceland, big crimes are rare and the population is typically between 1-2 thousand so there won't be a big police force manning the station.

[–] strangebedfellows 9 years ago

Thank you for your reply. I always find the customs of other countries interesting !!

[–] brux (14840) 7 years ago

When I saw Iceland represented in Michael Moore's Where To Invade Next, I was very impressed by the civility of their society. This is a very good series. I read somewhere through that there is a prostitution problem in Iceland, not to mention a banking problems.

[–] infinity8 9 years ago

I can't hate Andri's wife. She's trying to make the most of an awkward situation. It's obvious that her ex-in laws are still very much a part of her life (That continued relationship seems very nice, though it's not the case in most divorced couples that I know, but perhaps things are different in Iceland?) and perhaps the continued closeness is best for the sake of the children.

Still, I have to wonder what Agnes is doing with Sigvaldi. He doesn't seem like a terrible guy, but he drives recklessly on ice, and he seems a lot less responsible than Andri. In the last episode, Agnes said that her relationship with Andri had become "complicated" before their divorce, which really makes me wonder what happened, because Andri is great and I can't see her doing much better than him.

[–] strangebedfellows 9 years ago

Thawnk you for your reply. I have to admit though that unless this heats up a bit I am going to stop watching - they say the cold makes you fall asleep!! Seriously though, I found episode three so slow that I got quite bored with it.

[–] Lolinna 9 years ago

Oh it's definitely going to heat up and the finale is something you really weren't expecting. But if you are only up to episode three I'm not sure if this is something that you will enjoy. It's a slow burner, you really need to concentrate on what they are saying (giving you hints) and it doesn't really start to heat up until episode 6-7.

[–] Lolinna 9 years ago

Actually a bit of misunderstanding here.😃 They are her parents, Andri's ex-inlaws. He is staying with them with their grandchildren, since he hasn't finished renovating the house they had bought (Andri and Agnes) before they split.

[–] strangebedfellows 9 years ago

Thank you for the information and the encouragement!! If that is the case then I will persevere!! Winter woollies on tonight then!!!

[–] k.m.bunting 9 years ago

What's the significance of the little boy Maggi and why are the other children so nasty to him? (Yes, I know these things happen among children, but is there some relevance to the main story?)

[–] strangebedfellows 9 years ago

I have not noticed any relevance as yet to the major plot line - but I am a little way behind on the episodes - you could try asking a responder to this thread who has seen more episodes.

[–] malsperanza 9 years ago

Yes

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Sunflower1970 9 years ago

That was so sad. My heart went out to that little boy when he was being teased.

[–] brux (14840) 7 years ago

I just watched the episode where Andri apologizes for getting mad at his wife and losing his temper. She said he was under a lot of stress, and he said, what was I supposed to do, punch a hole in the wall. That led me to believe the Andri character matured a lot and used to have issues controlling his temper. Really like this show and the characters. Only problem for me are the names.

[–] kathquay1 9 years ago

I have just watched this back to back. Really enjoyed it, all the sub plots made for a good ten parter. But why oh why would anybody want to go and live in Iceland? Occasionally we get those frozen slippy icy Winters, especially after snow ( I live in Lancaster, North West England),and I hate them and cant wait for the ice to melt. However, to live in a climate like that ALL THE TIME would drive me insane.

[–] Geiri85 9 years ago

Iceland is not like that all the time.

[–] kathquay1 9 years ago

You mean in Summer its nice and sunny with lovely green grass and lots of trees?

[–] Geiri85 9 years ago

Green grass yes and some sunny days.

And the winters aren't really that harsh, especially in the south where most of the population is located. I complain about it every other year about not having snow on Christmas.

Snow storms like the one you see on the show are limited to few days a year in most parts.

Of course its a cold country but its not as bad as people imagine. We have about 60 snow days here in Reykjavik a year.

[–] kathquay1 9 years ago

You make it sound ok. What is your economy? i.e. fishing etc. How do people live?

[–] jehather 9 years ago

I live in southern Ontario (Ontario is a province in Canada) and personally, I would enjoy not having hot humid summers and the glaring sun beating down on me all summer :)

[–] jehather 9 years ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandic_name
http://icelandreview.com/magazine/2015/08/18/son-and-dottir

[–] strangebedfellows 9 years ago

Thank you

[–] brux (14840) 7 years ago

>> you need to watch this from under a warm blanket !!!

Goddam yes ... I am shivering in house just watching this online, brrrr!