Stark and chilling 'Jar City' a fine drama

Director: Baltasar Kormakur

Cast: Ingvar Sigursson, Alti Rafn Sigurswson, Agusta Eva Erlendsdottir

Cert: 16

We should open our minds to the excellent cinema being produced worldwide, and this Icelandic drama serves as a perfect example.

There are two stories worked into the narrative: the first concerns a father’s search for the source of the disease that killed his daughter, the second the search by a world-weary policeman for the murderer of a young girl.

The first strand is the stronger since it involves family secrets, lost love and past deeds, but either strand would make for a great film on its own.

The atmosphere is stark and chilling – though Iceland is a beautiful country – and you should not be put off catching this fine drama, based on the novel Tainted Blood, because your Icelandic is a little rusty. Fine cinema overcomes such minor problems.

Star Rating: 4/5