Mini Film Review – Lamb

I have just watched Lamb; and it was very weird! Directed by Valdimar Jóhannsson, and starring Noomi Rapace, Hilmir Snær Guðnason, and Björn Hlynur Haraldsson; Lamb is a fantasy drama film about two Sheep farmers, who after discovering an unusual Lamb, decide to raise it; as if it was their own child. There’s no real way to sugar coat it, it’s a pretty weird experience…but also a very captivating one. On the one hand it feels like you are watching that strange Kosovo Autumn film from The Simpsons, but on the other, you are watching an almost silent family drama. It takes time to really build up, and it feels like the filmmakers are trying hard not to tell you anything, instead relying on imagery to speak to you. This becomes apparent after the first chapter when you discover that it’s not two people having an hallucination, and what you see is what you get! From this point on it becomes incredibly captivating, as the film tells the story of life on the farm, but draws your attention from the burning question in your head, as to how any of this is possible? This does of course lead to a shocking, albeit anti-climactic conclusion as all is reveled. OK, it’s possibly not all that anti-climactic; because on the other hand it could equally be seen as just, and fair. But you sort of know that eventually; all this somewhat idyllic family life is probably going to come crashing down before your eyes. But again it’s not too shocking, as there’s no real build-up, and what happens, just happens. So yeah, altogether it’s a very weird film, but one that keeps you captivated, by not immediately answering the burning questions!