Síðasti bærinn

"The Last Farm (Síðasti bærinn í dalnum)" is a moving visualization of Dylan Thomas's admonition of "Do not go gentle into that good night."

Amidst beautiful cinematography of rural Iceland, we see an old farmer methodically go about his plans. Through physical pain and the determination of a craftsman, he is very intent and serious.

For most of the film we think his monosyllabic interaction with friends and family is about closing up to resettle in a retirement community, though he certainly doesn't look happy looking at its colorful brochure.

In contrast to the preternaturally cheerful way that younger folks speak to him, this is one old wily independent isolate who chooses to live his life in his own distinctive way.

What at first seems macabre and shocking becomes a frank look at dealing with old age. With very minimal dialog, this stark film is very sympathetic to the farmer's unusual choices.

This film was viewed as part of a commercial screening of Oscar nominated shorts.