Of Horses and Men

Kolbeinn is hopelessly in love with his breathtaking prize beauty, Grána. But Grána is in love with the burly, hyper-masculine Brúnn. Grána and Brúnn get a little too bold and end up making love right in front of Kolbeinn. Oh, by the way… Grána and Brúnn are horses. Kolbeinn is a man. Set in a small Icelandic village, the lives of the residents weave in and out of this offbeat tale, their stories often being told by the horses they ride on. Of the “am I really seeing what I think I’m seeing” school of filmmaking (yes, you are), Benedikt Erlingsson’s OF HORSES AND MEN is an unclassifiable tale of love, desire, and friendship between humans, between horses, and between humans and horses. Gorgeous cinematography and confident direction highlight these tender character (equine) studies. At times funny, at times sad, yet always remarkably heartfelt, this unique yarn has a mane all its own. (In Icelandic with subtitles) —C.P.