July 11, 2019 – Arrival Day
I was on a plane to Keflavík International Airport and I’ve decided to indulge in some Icelandic media that the plane can provide me. Lof mér að falla (Let me fall) by Baldvin Z was the main headline for this flight’s Icelandic film selection. The plot intrigued me that I’ve decided to give it a shot – despite the on-board entertainment that I wouldn’t have enough time to finish it. Also one of the producers is Julius Kemp and he directed ‘Wallpaper – An Erotic Lovestory‘.
Sadly, and expectedly, I wasn’t able to finish the film and thought not much of it. However, whilst I was on the bus ride going to Reykjavik, I’ve decided to do some research to where I could get a copy since I want to at least know how it ends. What I was presented however wasn’t links of purchase but rather, an article by the Reykjavik Grapevine about how this film was based on true events!
The reality vs the fantasy
When we hear the word ‘Iceland‘ the first thing in our minds are either Europe, Bjork, Blue Lagoon, Vikings, etc. We think heavily on what was presented in front of us and rarely hear the issues that happen in the country. The closest thing I’ve heard about Icelandic issues is either the 2008 Financial Crisis and the Panama Papers.
I know each country has its flaws but in my experience, I haven’t heard anything when it comes to that relating to Iceland. And this says something because I tend to hear stuff from other countries. Maybe they’re that good in not making it that known to an international audience.
But this then skews our perspective of the country to think it’s perfect that the moment I arrived at my Airbnb, I was shocked. The first thing in my head was “am I at the right place?”.
And the reason I ask this is that my entire surroundings look so sketchy! Even my family and friends are confused as they didn’t believe that where we are at is where I was staying. Our surroundings made it look like we live in a really shady neighborhood.
You may say to me “but isn’t that like that in all places” and I agree too… until my dad read me the crime and liveability rate in Reykjavik. I don’t know where or how my dad got this info but he read to me some shocking stuff that if you look at our current surroundings to where we are staying – it answers a lot of questions.
And after reading what ‘Let Me Fall’ is about… it somewhat connects the dots.
Compare and contrast
Something that I find interesting about Icelandic films is that it depicts a different side of the Icelandic life. A lifestyle that’s hardly ever heard off based on what’s heavily advertised. I’m not just saying that as something blatant and obvious.
If you compare media from other countries – you’d see a balance on what gets depicted and what everyday life is like. Icelandic media, however – ITS DARK AF.
Even when watching Polite People (an Icelandic comedy ft Stefan Karl), a bunch of us LazyTown fans commented about it saying “Iceland has an odd way on depicting comedy“.
I needed to know how ‘Let Me Fall’ ends. Luckily, there was a screening of the film back in Sydney.
A depiction of a different life
“Let Me Fall” to me is a window to another side of the Icelandic society that you never get to hear or see on the media. While everyone out there is glorifying the landscape, the people, the experience, etc… films like this depict a different life.
It depicts a darker time in modern Icelandic society that you think that it’s impossible or unheard off… but it’s sadly true. The whole film was hard to swallow as you see the girls struggle and there is this whole question of trust and power in play. It also depicts the downfall and consequences when it comes to drug addiction and who gets affected.
I felt so bad for Magnea as she’s living the perfect life but she was driven in the wrong direction. Even in the start – one of the minor characters (who’s a drug dealer) was concerned for her education. Then later on, you see Stella and Magnea together and I just want to stab Stella so much because Magnea didn’t deserved this.
You see everything unfold and the consequences it brings and it still shocks me that this event actually happened in such a country.
I may not have the right to comment about the life of the people in a country I just visited once but this film did open my eyes. Let me fall showed me what’s on the other side of the coin.
This film is worth a watch. It’s dark and powerful and the soundtrack is amazing. Good to see something different.
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