24/11/2023 - Helmed by Snævar Sölvason, the film broaches the themes of identity and acceptance and is set in a small community in the Westfjords

l-r: Björn Jörundur, Arna Magnea Danks and Hjálmar Örn on the set of Odd Fish

Snævar Sölvason is now shooting his third film, a drama titled Odd Fish. The Icelandic director is best known for his 2015 debut, the comedy Albatross, and his 2020 sophomore feature, From Iceland to EDEN, described as an “action-driven love story”. The news was first reported by nordiskfilmogtvfond.com.

The story of Odd Fish tackles the themes of identity and acceptance. Set in a small community in Iceland’s northern Westfjords, it follows two childhood friends, Björn and Hjalti, who run a popular seafood restaurant in a fishing village where they were born and raised. The pair are polar opposites: Hjalti is a confident family man and a big fish in town, Björn a reserved, single guy who has always lived in his parents’ house. As the pair suddenly get an opportunity to keep their fish restaurant going all year round, Björn comes out as a trans woman. Can his best friend overcome his prejudice and accept what truly matters in life?

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The script was penned by Sölvason himself, who was inspired by growing up in a similar small fishing town, in tandem with trans writer Veiga Grétarsdóttir. The two leads are played Björn Jörundur (Trapped, Remote Control) and newcomer Arna Magnea Danks. Other cast members include Sólveig Arnarsdóttir, Ólafía Hrönn Jónsdóttir, Helgi Björnsson, Vigdís Hafliðadóttir and Pálmi Gestsson. DoP Birgit Guðjónsdóttir is lensing the picture, whilst musician Örn Elías Guðmundsson (best known as Mugison) is in charge of the film’s score.

Odd Fish is being produced by Júlíus Kemp and Ingvar Þórðarson for The Icelandic Film Company (Iceland), and co-produced by Solar Films (Finland) and Axman Production (Czech Republic). The project has received backing from the Icelandic Film Centre, Iceland’s tax rebate and the Nordisk Film & TV Fond, which has just awarded it a grant worth 1,800,000 Norwegian crowns (circa €153,000).

The picture’s domestic release is slated for next spring.