Storie di cavalli e di uomini

Forget the humourless naysayers. This is one of the most enjoyable films I have seen in a long time. I'm only sorry that it took me almost ten years to get a chance to see it. Thank you, MUBI.

There are a handful of delightful vignettes that explore the connections between humans and horses, and the barely concealed lustful feelings between women and men. The horses may get to consummate their amorous animal instincts - but will the women and men?

There are laughs a-plenty, and just enough dramatic moments to keep you guessing through to the end.

Of Horses and Men, in Icelandic; Hross í Oss.

A film by actor, author and director Benedikt Erlingsson and produced by Fridrik Thor Fridriksson.

I encourage everyone to see it and form their own opinions.

Tom Robbins said: "The function of the artist is to provide what life does not".

Apparently Tom has never been to Iceland. I truly enjoyed this magnificent journey, diving into the deep end of the pool with a talented group of artists/professionals — and horses! — taking chances (in my opinion with great success) that I have never seen before in Icelandic films (if anywhere else) coming out with loads of beautiful - and some unforgettable moments...

One of the better films I have seen in a good while; amongst several other factors, the cinematography blew my mind. But then again, this is Iceland, Icelandic landscape, Icelandic horses, etc. etc.

Will be thoroughly surprised if this film does not do extremely well.

Benedikt Erlingsson's loosely connected series of black comedy horse vignettes is a strange sort of creature. Visually striking and certainly contains quite a few striking visual talking points, but the central thrust of the narrative is rather trampled over by the other mini narratives which beyond adding a dash of grim slapstick don't contribute much. Nice to see those beautiful landscapes, the lovely horses running through the fields, those fine jumpers and the great Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson in a central role but it doesn't function as well as Benedikt's equally beautiful Women at War from a few years after.

The one thing that Iceland has no shortage of, apart from ice that is, is scenery and director Benedikt Erlingsson makes great use of it in this strange tale that supposedly describes man's relationship with the horse but which lapses into the surreal often enough for us to wonder if Erlingsson has something else in mind. Indeed, after the scenery, it is the horses who are the real stars here, though if you are a horse lover, the few scenes where they are killed and mutilated by the good folk of Iceland, should give you pause, (though the humans don't come out of it too well, either). It's more like something you might get from the likes of Roy Andersson while on holiday and it's quirky enough to be of more than passing interest. It's also quite short.

This is a film quite unlike any other. Darkly comic. I was transported to the remote community in Iceland and into the lives of the eccentric and amusing characters who lived there. The scenery is stunning and the music and the Icelandic ponies beautiful. Some horrible things happen but somehow acceptable in the extreme conditions. . In this strong community, distances don't prevent everyone knowing everyone elses' secrets. They look out for each other to survive but being human have their rivalries and conflicts. I found the film compelling and beautiful in spite of the events and for the duration shared in another way of life in a beautiful but harsh environment.