Whale Valley (2013) User Reviews

Short time, high impact : The bonding between siblings. The vast view is breathtaking.

[mehobulls · 8/10 · 21 September 2020]

Even if the devastating climax of this short is not totally unexpected, there is cinematic poetry in the way it establishes the raw bond between the two brothers at its center amidst the bleak Icelandic landscape. This is a director who understands how to use the power of film language, always just showing enough to draw audiences into feeling their own conclusions.

to remind

[Kirpianuscus · 12 September 2020]

A delicate sketch. Or water colors painting. This are thefirst impressions after I saw it. A profound beautiful film about brotherhood, example of admirable cinematography and use of symbols, it is one of films not telling a real story but reminding, in brilliant manner, well known truths. And that seems its basic purpoise. To reflect a form of loneliness and strong connection, to explore the shadows of an age, to propose images - the whale, the ponies - as keys of a cold universe , so familiar to siblings in its unique essence.

The ambition is there

[Horst_In_Translation · 4/10 · 13 April 2017]

"Hvalfjörður" or "Whale Valley" is an Icelandic 15-minute short film from 2013, so this one will have its 5th anniversary next year. It is among the more known works by writer and director Guðmundur Arnar Guðmundsson and fittingly with his origin it is a movie in the Icelandic language, even if Denmark is also listed as a country of production. This movie here won a great deal of awards recognition on all continents, including a prestigious win in Cannes. But sadly I cannot share the praise. I think the ambition is clearly visible, but apart from the cinematography nothing here is memorable about this quarter of an hour. Dialogues are scarce, but crucial, so make sure you got subtitles unless you are from the director's country and speak the language fluently. This is the story of two young brothers and a(n alleged) suicide scene makes this a very dramatic movie. But I personally felt that this crucial moment felt a bit for the sake of it. of course, it is difficult to elaborate on a proper plot with such a short film, but I expected something better than they did here to be honest, especially looking at the rating and reception. Thumbs-down from me. Not recommended.