The Higher Force
Deadpan humor works to wondrous effect in this ultra-cool riff on the mob genre from Olaf de Fleur Johannesson. Slacker David is not quite cutting it in his chosen career as composer of “mind flow” poetry, so he undertakes collections for a bunch of loan sharks. He’s not much use at this either, and is rapidly sliding down the slippery slope of their pecking order. Quite by chance, he hits upon a scheme to earn back respect, diverting attention to his landlord, Harald, claiming he is a dangerous crook thought to have disappeared in Mexico. As the hapless hoods turn their attention to this new target, “Mr. Big” flies in from New York to commend David for his efforts. But as the house of cards of David’s tale begins to fall, he is forced to beat it…but fast. To its credit, The Higher Force never takes itself seriously; the pleasure of the filmmaking is at all times paramount over any notions of plausibility. Johannesson’s motley crew of characters—with special mention to producer Stefan Schaefer as a pedantic German enforcer with a taste for trivia—drolly lay on the fakery and miscommunication, with laugh-out-loud results.
Sponsors:
Icelandic Glacial Water, Reykjavik-Seattle Sister City Association
Cast & Crew
Director: Olaf de Fleur Johannesson
Producer: Stefan Schaefer, Olaf de Fleur Johannesson, Helgi Sverrisson
Editor: Guðni Pa?ll Sæmundsson, Benedikt Johannesson, Olaf de Fleur Johannesson
Screenwriter: Olaf de Fleur Johannesson, Stefan Schaefer, Thorvaldur Thorsteinsson
Cinematographer: Rune Kippervik
Music: Pavel E. Smid, Karl Henry, Hamilton Cleverdon
Principal Cast: Petur Johann Sigfusson, Eggert Thorleifsson, Stefan Schaefer, Ingvar E. Sigurdsson, Ilmur Kristjansdottir, Michael Imperioli
Filmography: The Amazing Truth About Queen Racquela (2008); Act Normal (2006); Africa United (2005); Blindsker: Saga Bubba Morthens (2004)
World Sales: Visit Films
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