Find a Theater Near You Press Page

Of Horses and Men

Watch Trailer
Watch Trailer
Overview

An inventive take on the symbiotic relationship between man and animal, Of Horses and Men is a darkly comic collection of vignettes set in a provincial Icelandic village. Against a breathtaking seaside landscape, a cast of hot-blooded characters struggle to connect with nature and each other. Among them, a pair of wistful human lovers are thwarted by equine libidos, sparking their tentative courtship into action; a determined alcoholic gets his last ride at sea from a surprisingly seaworthy companion; and an adventurous tourist sets off for a leisurely ride on horseback that spirals into a quest for survival. The lines between species blur seamlessly throughout these memorable tales, reflecting love, death and the quirks of human and beast alike. An ode the majestic beauty of horses, lauded stage director Benedikt Erlingsson’s film debut captures the passions and idiosyncrasies of a close-knit community and the primal desires hidden within all of us.

Reactions, Awards & Festivals

“Spellbinding. Extraordinary scenes of equestrians and high-strung animals interacting in the stunningly beautiful Icelandic countryside.”

Stephen Holden

The New York Times

“A wondrously strange affair, full of beautiful imagery of Icelandic horses set against rugged, frozen backdrops.”

Geoffrey Macnab

Independent

“The best Icelandic Noir equine comedy I have ever seen."

Kate Muir

Times (UK)

“A remarkable big screen debut…absorbing and intriguing.”

Mark Adams

Screen International

4 stars! “Glorious…spectacular…tender, delicate and funny. An incredible film.”

Peter Bradshaw

The Guardian

4 stars! “Inventive, offbeat and at times Jaw-dropping.”

David Parkinson

Empire

4 stars! “A heart-swelling and frostily beautiful debut….seductively strange. a dream come true for horse-lovers”

Robbie Collin

The Telegraph

4 stars! “Wonderful.”

Jamie Graham

Total Film

4 stars! “Hysterically funny.”

Emma Simmonds

Little White Lies

Winner! San Sebastián International Film Festival 2013 Kuntxa Award - Best New Director, Benedikt Erlingsson

Winner! Tokyo International Film Festival 2013 – Best Director, Benedikt Erlingsson

Winner! 6 Edda Awards, Iceland 2014 – including Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Actor

Official Submission for Iceland, Academy Awards® 2014– Best Foreign Language Film

San Francisco International Film Festival 2014 Nominee - New Directors Prize, Benedikt Erlingsson

Cast & Crew
  • Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson : Kolbeinn (as Ingvar E. Sigurðsson)
  • Solveig : Charlotte Boving
  • Vernhardur : Steinn Ármann Magnússon
  • Ása : Halldóra Geirharðsdóttir
  • Egill : Helgi Bjoernsson
  • Hildur : Kristbjorg Kjeld
  • Jóhanna : Sigridur Maria Egilsdottir
  • Juan Camillo : Juan Camillo Roman Estrada
  • Director : Benedikt Erlingsson
  • Writer : Benedikt Erlingsson
  • Producer : Fridrik Thor Fridriksson
  • Co-producers : Christoph Toke, Egil Odegard
  • Director of Photography : Bergsteinn Bjorgulfsson
  • Original Music : Thor Jonsson
  • Costume Designer : Charlotte David
Technical Info
  • Production Year : 2013
  • Release Date : March 11, 2015
  • Countries of Production : Germany, Norway, Iceland
  • Languages : English, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, Icelandic
  • Running Time : 80 Minutes
  • Screen Ratio : 2.35:1
  • Sound : Dolby Digital
  • Color : Color
  • Rating : Not Rated