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IMDbPro

The County

Original title: Héraðið
  • 20192019
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
The County (2019)
Watch Trailer [OVS]
Play trailer1:44
2 Videos
18 Photos
ComedyDrama
A widowed farmer begins a new life on her own terms by fighting against corruption and injustice in her community.A widowed farmer begins a new life on her own terms by fighting against corruption and injustice in her community.A widowed farmer begins a new life on her own terms by fighting against corruption and injustice in her community.
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
    • Grímur Hákonarson
    • Grímur Hákonarson
  • Stars
    • Arndís Hrönn Egilsdóttir
    • Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson
    • Þorsteinn Bachmann
    • Grímur Hákonarson
    • Grímur Hákonarson
  • Stars
    • Arndís Hrönn Egilsdóttir
    • Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson
    • Þorsteinn Bachmann
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 6User reviews
    • 58Critic reviews
    • 76Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos2

    Trailer [OVS]
    Trailer 1:44
    Watch Trailer [OVS]
    The County
    Trailer 1:46
    Watch The County

    Photos18

    The County (2019)
    The County (2019)
    Arndís Hrönn Egilsdóttir in The County (2019)
    Arndís Hrönn Egilsdóttir in The County (2019)
    Arndís Hrönn Egilsdóttir and Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson in The County (2019)
    Arndís Hrönn Egilsdóttir in The County (2019)
    Arndís Hrönn Egilsdóttir in The County (2019)
    Arndís Hrönn Egilsdóttir in The County (2019)
    Sigurður Sigurjónsson and Arndís Hrönn Egilsdóttir in The County (2019)
    Arndís Hrönn Egilsdóttir in The County (2019)
    Arndís Hrönn Egilsdóttir in The County (2019)
    Daniel Hans Erlendsson and Alfrun Rose in The County (2019)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Arndís Hrönn Egilsdóttir
    Arndís Hrönn Egilsdóttir
    • Inga
    Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson
    Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson
    • Friðgeir
    Þorsteinn Bachmann
    Þorsteinn Bachmann
    Ævar Þór Benediktsson
    Ævar Þór Benediktsson
    • Finnbogi
    Þorsteinn Gunnar Bjarnason
    • Bjössi
    Daniel Hans Erlendsson
    Daniel Hans Erlendsson
    • Heiðar
    Edda Björg Eyjólfsdóttir
    • Kolbrún
    Hafdís Helga Helgadóttir
    • Katla
    Siggi Holm
    • Hinrik
    Ingrid Jónsdóttir
    Hjörtur Jóhann Jónsson
    Hjörtur Jóhann Jónsson
    • Gvendur
    Steinn Ármann Magnússon
    • Kristján
    Alfrun Rose
    Alfrun Rose
    • Ása
    Sigurður Sigurjónsson
    Sigurður Sigurjónsson
    • Eyjólfur
    Rakel Ýr Stefánsdóttir
    • Afgreiðslustúlka
    Hannes Óli Ágústsson
    Hannes Óli Ágústsson
    • Leifur
    Guðmundur Ólafsson
    • Vigfús
    Hinrik Ólafsson
    • Reynir
      • Grímur Hákonarson
      • Grímur Hákonarson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    User reviews6

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    A captivating film complete with political and emotional intrigue - it's only missing an extra spark of anger and frustration
    A captivating drama that becomes more exciting and thought-provoking as it goes on, The County isn't necessarily the most easy-going watch, but it is still a gripping one throughout. Complete with a typically Scandinavian atmosphere of understated emotion, this film isn't the hyperbolic drama it could have been in different hands, instead telling its story as quietly, yet honestly, as possible.

    Director Grímur Hákonarson received strong acclaim around the world for his 2015 film, Rams, which also looks at life in Iceland's farming community. That film, though insightful and certainly atmospheric, wasn't a masterpiece of storytelling in my opinion, and often felt more drab than genuinely understated.

    The County, however, is a step in the right direction. Certainly, the film is deliberately filled with rough edges. It moves at a slow pace, its setting is rugged, and it often gets very detailed with the nitty-gritty of the politics of farming - something that few other films are willing to do.

    And yet, this is never a boring watch. It's not a heart-stopping one either, but The County is meant to be an understated and affecting drama, and it achieves that for the most part.

    Above all, the film's political edge is its most interesting line of focus. Though not entirely present in the early stages of the film, which looks more at grief and vulnerability, The County really steps up a gear in its middle act, taking aim at abusive and controlling organisations that pretend to be benevolent members of the community.

    As I said, the nitty-gritty of how Icelandic farming cooperatives work may not be something you'd immediately think of as fascinating, but The County imbues that with real emotional depth, pitching the conflict between a frustrated farmer and an increasingly arrogant and uncontrollable organisation against the backdrop of personal loss.

    In that, the film's overall arc comes together nicely, with a captivating blend of emotional and political drama. However, The County is just missing a small spark of life to really make it hit home.

    Hákonarson's understated style shouldn't be criticised, after all it's what makes some of this film's most intimate and thought-provoking moments so powerful. However, this story, which to a degree looks at pent-up frustration, doesn't quite deliver that emotion as effectively as could be the case.

    There's a part of me that wants this film to be a little like Wild Tales - a story of a normal person eventually having enough with the world and losing their cool. However, this is Iceland, not Argentina, and they deal with their frustration in a different way.

    So, The County doesn't go to the hyperbolic lengths of Wild Tales, but in retaining such an understated style, it misses the opportunity to really get you on side with its main character, and sympathise with her enormous frustration and anger.

    Arndís Hrönn Egilsdóttir gives an excellent performance throughout, it's just that the screenplay doesn't lend enough attention to her feelings of anger, instead putting more focus on the political connotations of the story. That's interesting in its own way, but I feel that a stronger display of anger in the screenplay could have been the difference between The County being a good film and a great film.

    Still, The County is undeniably a good film. Better than Rams with its blend of emotional and political drama, as well as a hint of exciting drama on the verge of exploding, it's a captivating watch throughout, albeit missing that extra spark of frustration and anger that could have made it even better.
    helpful•9
    2
    • themadmovieman
    • Jul 27, 2020

    Details

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    • Release date
      • April 30, 2021 (United States)
      • Iceland
      • Denmark
      • Germany
      • France
    • Official sites
      • Haut et Court (France)
      • Netop Films (Iceland)
      • Icelandic
    • Also known as
    • Production companies
      • Netop Films
      • Haut et Court
      • ONE TWO Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 32 minutes
      • Color

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