THE LOVE THAT REMAINS (ÁSTIN SEM EFTIR ER) World Cinema

Against the backdrop of Iceland’s magnificent landscape — a rugged island filled with winding roads amidst a majestic tundra — a marriage falls apart, threatening to fracture a loving family. Fisherman Magnús (Sverrir Guðnason) has just moved out of the house he shares with his visual artist wife Anna (Saga Garðarsdóttir) and their three children, Ída and twins Þorgils and Grímur (all three played by the real children of filmmaker Hlynur Pálmason, GODLAND, AFI FEST 2022). The high school sweethearts have drifted apart as of late, despite Magnús’ hope for reconciliation, though they still spend time together for the sake of the kids. Working with a set-up that could easily veer toward melodrama, Pálmason pens a surprisingly sensitive and poignant treatise on the ties that bind, imbuing the scenario with a warm sense of humor and a charming thread of magical realism that combine into a powerful climax. The gorgeous cinematography, lensed in 35mm by Pálmason himself, deftly renders the grandeur of the Icelandic setting. All of this is anchored by the compelling, sly performances from all five principal players, though special mention goes to the various critters that live with the family – chickens, cows, horses and one exceptional sheepdog named Panda, who won the coveted Palme Dog award at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. –Javier Chavez