Niceland
Jed and Chloe are in their early twenties, in love - and mentally handicapped. When Jed accidentally causes the death of Chloe´s cat, which she loves almost as much as Jed, Chloe retreats into silence and loses her will to live. Convinced that there must be something else in life to give it meaning, something that will help revive Chloe´s spirit, Jed sets out to find it. Led to believe that a scrap-metal dealer, Max, knows the precious answer, Jed cautiously enters the eccentric world of this solitary man. Yet in spite of the bond of friendship that develops between them, Max remains tight-lipped - even after Chloe falls into a coma and Jed begs him to tell him the secret. All that Max reveals is the tragedy that haunts him and pushes him toward self-destruction. In a moment of raw catharsis, Jed realizes that he, he himself, knows what he´s been looking for. Whispering the magic words to Max, Jed saves him from a greater tragedy. Now he must hurry to tell Chloe. But when he arrives at the hospital, her bed is empty...
Starring Gary Lewis (Billy Elliott, Gangs of New York) and Martin Compston (Sweet Sixteen) in the lead roles, Fridrik Thor Fridriksson´s intimate drama sensitively portrays the naïve yet uncompromising search of a handicapped young man for the purpose of life. The Icelandic director is known for his highly acclaimed films "Cold Fever," "Devil´s Island" and the Oscar-nominated "Children of Nature."
Director Fridrik Thor Fridriksson :
My brother-in-law died a few years ago. His death was sudden. Acute disease killed him in less than 24 hours. He was nineteen years old when he died.
He was in good physical health, had lots of friends, loved music, a good sportsman, attended his studies and work. But the reaction to his death outside his immediate family was different than what you would normally expect when a young man dies.
Again he was nineteen years old when he died. He also suffered from Down Syndrome.
The reason for his death had nothing to with his disability, it could have happened to anybody. He would not have been able to care for himself unaided; he would probably not have lived to be a rocket scientist or a stockbroker. Most likely he would not have lived to be a hundred, hut he certainly had a happy and rich live ahead of him among his loved ones and friends.
What was the difference here?
Was he considered to be a burden to his widowed mother?
To society?
During this period of grief and confused feelings I read the script of NICELAND for the first time. I felt challenged to make this film. To make it with honesty and respect for its characters. It is also the first film I make for other producers than my own company and myself. Apart from considering it a luxury to "only" direct I was quite flattered that they trusted me to address this delicate, but beautiful story.
This time I have chosen to work with an international cast, artists that have impressed me in many ways and shown their ability to deliver the difficult task of playing JED, MAX and CHLOE. Harald Paalgard, Director of Photography, and Árni PálI Jóhannsson, Set Designer, play a significant role as they have done in my previous films. Our long-term co-operation has every possibility to mature and prosper on this one.
Reykjavik, Iceland, January 7, 2003
Fridrik Thor Fridriksson
My brother-in-law died a few years ago. His death was sudden. Acute disease killed him in less than 24 hours. He was nineteen years old when he died.
He was in good physical health, had lots of friends, loved music, a good sportsman, attended his studies and work. But the reaction to his death outside his immediate family was different than what you would normally expect when a young man dies.
Again he was nineteen years old when he died. He also suffered from Down Syndrome.
The reason for his death had nothing to with his disability, it could have happened to anybody. He would not have been able to care for himself unaided; he would probably not have lived to be a rocket scientist or a stockbroker. Most likely he would not have lived to be a hundred, hut he certainly had a happy and rich live ahead of him among his loved ones and friends.
What was the difference here?
Was he considered to be a burden to his widowed mother?
To society?
During this period of grief and confused feelings I read the script of NICELAND for the first time. I felt challenged to make this film. To make it with honesty and respect for its characters. It is also the first film I make for other producers than my own company and myself. Apart from considering it a luxury to "only" direct I was quite flattered that they trusted me to address this delicate, but beautiful story.
This time I have chosen to work with an international cast, artists that have impressed me in many ways and shown their ability to deliver the difficult task of playing JED, MAX and CHLOE. Harald Paalgard, Director of Photography, and Árni PálI Jóhannsson, Set Designer, play a significant role as they have done in my previous films. Our long-term co-operation has every possibility to mature and prosper on this one.
Reykjavik, Iceland, January 7, 2003
Fridrik Thor Fridriksson
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