Set in the Icelandic financial boom of 2007, dirty tactics were used by real estate developers to acquire old houses in down-town Reykjavik. A mad rush ensued to replace them with gigantic apartment buildings and hotels. Maya, a medical student in her mid twenties, inherits an old house from a schizophrenic grandmother she never met and didn't know existed. Under pressure to sell the house, mysterious messages drive her to look further into her family's past before the chance is gone. A family tragedy is revealed that affects her life even today, raising questions about her grandmother's death, and putting her own life in danger.
SHADOWTOWN is the most recent collaboration between Jon Gustafsson and Karolina Lewicka, a brilliant film I have seen more than once! Fabulous direction and screen writing by the pair. It has mystery, suspense, supernatural aspects and visual beauty.
John Rhys-Davies, one of my favorite character actors of Lord of the Rings fame, plays one of the central characters and is superb. The acting is well done thoughout.
As a photographer I marvelled at the cinematography. Some parts were actual studies in lighting, and how it affects mood. Hats off to the cinematogragher and film crew !
Like reading a great book, certain passages open up your own imagination, personalizing the film for the individual viewer. This is just a superb film that you'll want to see in the Theatres!
