Bye Bye Blue Bird

This movie really touched me. It has many great features - the story, the humor and the location are just a few I´d like to mention. It takes you on a journey not only across the Faroe Islands, but in a complete little universe of its own - in unusual colours and in an unusual language :-) Don´t miss it!

I must first note that, contrary to the previous reviewer's comment, this film is NOT set in Iceland. It is set in the beautiful and remote Faroe Islands. Funny, I am used to people referring to the Faroes as Denmark, not Iceland! I must also admit that my comments are somewhat biased because I have family that acted in the film and other family that sang on the soundtrack. I have also met one of the two lead actresses and know family of some of the actors. My family is from the Faroe Islands, you see. I saw this film at my college in Colorado, and was absolutely thrilled to see part of my life represented on screen. It was the first time I had ever seen a film in the Faroese language, even BARBARA - a film based on Faroese legend - is in Danish. There have been a couple of films before this one in Faroese, but I hadn't had the chance to see them (I have seen one since). I loved this movie for those reasons, but I also thought it was quite enjoyable in and of itself. I would have to see it again before I could speak more critically on it, since on the first viewing I was just so excited to see it all. But some interesting things to watch in this film are the hints of colonialism and the search for identity that I feel are such a part of the Faroese psyche. Notice the relationships with the Danes - who speak only Danish in the film, for those who don't pick it up. This film is also truly quirky, which makes it a lot more interesting to me than other road films. As a film grad, style counts a lot for me, since so many films are so devoid of it. Now if only this (and other Faroese films) could be released in the States!

While watching this film I found my attention slipping from time to time. At other moments I was thoroughly enjoying myself. So my reaction to this film is mixed.

Two eccentric young women, Rannvá and Barba, come to their native Faroer to find some connection with their past and their families. In the beginning of the film it seems, because of the women's erratic and provocative behaviour, that their only objective is to show the local inhabitants how extremely boorish and unsophisticated they (the locals) are. But through a series of seemingly unrelated events and persons we learn more about the history of both characters and the seriousness of their quest for belonging.

Accompanied by their faithful driver Rúni, who himself is on a quest for work in an interesting but never fully realized sub-plot, they drive through the beautiful Faroer landscape. Their moods swing from the deeply tragic to the highly exhilarated.

It is in these exhilarated moments that the girls really come to life and for me these were the scenes that I found most enjoyable. A feeling of genuine fun is transmitted through the TV-screen (I missed this one in the cinema) and this made me really like these women.

The tragic scenes seemed to me a little over the top and did not feel very genuine, too much like two actresses desperately trying to convey an emotion they do not feel at that moment. It was in these moments that my attention wandered from the screen and it is here that I think this movie is mostly unconvincing.

All in all still a very enjoyable, nicely paced film with good camera work and editing, conveying a slight sense of disorientation which helps in evoking the spirit the women are in.

A roadmovie about two young girls, who travels around Island in search of.. something.

This is boring, boring, boring. What the director often tries to achieve in the visual art they often loose in the speed. And that`s the case here. Nothing happens, and things must happen in a road movie. It feels like being stuck in a chewing gum.

Wanna see a road movie? See "Thelma & Louise" Wanna see a good Islandic movie? See "Hrafninn flýgur" (or "When the raven flies")

As "mulder" from Funningur, Faroe Islands, already mentioned in his excellent review, this film is a bit unrealistic to everyone who knows the real locations well. However, this is normal in very many films, so don't mind of that so much.

Away from this, to any insider (people who know the Faroes) it is a great event to watch it. It is a MUST for Faroe friends and for sure something, the entire country can be proud of. A funny (and honest) story with great emotions in a unique scenery. Regarding the scenery: When I saw the movie the first time in German TV, it was by accident. I couldn't believe my eyes: "is it?!?... no... yes: Føroyar!" This was almost such a strong moment, as visiting the Faroes in real live.

So in respect of the achievement for Faroese culture and in relation to that: 9 stars out of 10 - waiting for another movie from there, which can reach the 10 :-)