Nói (aka Nói The Albino)

 

Picture: B-     Sound: C+     Extras: C-     Film: B-

 

 

Nói (2002) is a fine independent film about an isolated, troubled young man (Tomas Lemarquis) who is an outcast and trapped in an awkward family situation in the middle of ice-cold Iceland.  In school, he could care less, making his teachers and the principle think he is either troubled or just plain delinquent.  As the film goes on, it turns out the opposite might just be the case, as he simply feels trapped and cannot be himself, fully himself, until he is able to escape his situation.  Director Dagur Kári’s has created a film with a unique perspective and is similar to little we have seen before.

 

The conclusion is unique and even funny in the way it answers the situation and “resolves” it, but at least half the fun is getting there.  Kári keeps adding little layers together to get this world built in a way too few filmmakers seem to do or get the chance to.  Sometimes it does not cohere, but instead of failure resulting, even these turns land up strangely adding to the ambiance of the piece.  That is a sign of true heart, soul and thought being applied to the making of the film and a director whop is finding his was in putting his vision on the screen.  Let’s hope more people catch that as they catch this film.

 

The 1.85 X 1 anamorphically enhanced image was shot with both Kodak and Fuji stocks and combine to make for a unique combination that easily reminds one of Smilla’s Sense Of Snow or either version of Insomnia.  Cinematographer Rasmus Videbaek has a consistent look that is somewhere between the raw and the sublime, where a false sense of calmness crosses with emptiness.  It is interesting and looks far better than the trailer has been showing it to be, a mistake on Palm’s part.  The Dolby Digital is the only soundtrack, in the native Norwegian language, is here in 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo mixes.  They both have limited surrounds as the director wanted parts to be monophonic and this works, as he shows a particular interest in what the audience hears.  That gives the film added character you will not hear in most cases.  Extras include a making of featurette (about 25 minutes long,) three deleted scenes, three previews for other Palm Pictures DVDs and the theatrical trailer for the film.  They all enhance this pleasant surprise that may not be another Donnie Darko, but can certainly go a few rounds with Rushmore.  Iceland is a land with possibly more untold stories to relay than anywhere I can think of right now, giving an ironic turn to the phrase “hot property” and Nói is an early pioneer in what we can only hope will be the next international cinematic wave.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo