Iceland is Best (2020) - full transcript

- Yes, Lucius.
- What?

A poem.

Why are you speaking English?

Because I'm going to California.

Sigga's going to California.

No, she's not, she's just
studying for her English exam.

- No, I'm not.
- What?

What is that?

It's where I'm going to live.

You live here.

Not anymore.



- Hi.
- Hi.

Come to say goodbye.

Why are you speaking English?

It's Californian.

- No, it isn't.
- It is.

- Where are you going?
- Topanga.

You can't be serious?
What about me?

She's just jealous,
I think it's really cool.

Do you need a ride
to the airport, Sigga?

No. My father's gonna take me.

No, he won't.

Well, I'm gonna go and
see afi and say goodbye to him.

- Sigga, what about me?
- You'll have your own dream.

It's my dream
to go to California as well.



- It is?
- Yeah. It is.

Then save up.
You can join me, but I'm going now.

We will keep you safe.
We are Sigga's guardian angels.

You're having me stay
with these two?

Him?

- Hi, afi.
- Hey, Sigga.

Come inside.

We will stand out here
and stand guard.

Topanga.

I didn't think it would be California,
but I am happy it has a name.

- It makes me so happy when I look at it...
- Hmm.

...the trees and warm sea.

It's not much,
but you need it now.

No, I... I can't take it.
I've been saving up.

It is yours.

Sometimes, you don't know
where a journey ends,

as your grandmother
used to say...

I have something for you.

Your grandmother's, I kept it.

- It's yours now.
- No, no, it's special.

Please, please. Try it on...

It suits you.

She always said it's for the darkest
nights and the brightest light.

- Bye, afi.
- Bless you, Sigga.

How much money did you get?

- I don't know.
- That's a lot.

We could all go to California
with that.

When shall I pick you up?

- Don't pick me up.
- Good.

What? Now?

This is insane.

So, you're leaving now, Sigga?

Where are you going?

Topanga, it's near L.A.

- You have no money.
- Grandpa gave me some.

So, you're gonna use
his money to go to California?

It's mostly my own.
I've been saving up.

I'm going to a poetry class in Reykjavik.

And then I'm leaving.

Hmm, one class is gonna
make you a poet?

I have to start somewhere.

Sigga, you can be a poet here,
you know, in this village.

You can buy a house next to ours
and you can speak Californian there.

Next time you see me...

it's gonna be in a photograph,
I'm leaving.

I'm not taking you
to the airport.

We are Sigga's guardian angels,
we will take Sigga to the airport.

Do you know the consequences
of your actions?

I have brought Topanga,
the canoe, he has the answers.

- Topanga, the canoe?
- Topanga, yes.

Do you write poetry, Bjorn? No?

So, are you gonna go fall in
love over there in California?

I'm not going for that.

You know, Gunni told me that we are
all descended from seven mothers.

Yeah, except you.

Why do you have to go now?

It's the right time.

When will we know when that time will be for us?

Oh, my God, you won't leave,
Jesus!

What about us?

The land cannot breathe
with plastic.

I think you dropped this.

Can I get a lift?

This is not a commercial service,
Sir, we are going to Reykjavik.

You were going the other way.

No, I'm going your way.

Hi, who are you?

Kata.

Sigga is going to California.

- You must be Sigga. I'm Nikki.
- Hi.

Sigga is a poet, we are going to drive
her to the airport after her poetry class.

Are you teaching this
poetry class?

No. It's my first one.

Oh.

- You guys are from the same village?
- Yeah.

We are Sigga's guardian angels.

- I don't need any protecting.
- You might.

Dreams can be beautiful
but, they can hurt.

- Pia.
- Hi.

- Hi.
- Nice to see you.

Ahh.

- How are you?
- This is my cousin, Pia.

- Hey.
- And this is Sigga, Kata, Benni and Gunni.

- You are cousins?
- Oh, yeah, um, his mum is my aunt.

- Oh.
- We're all related, aren't we?

Well, some of us are but
others are from another planet.

This is another planet.

That's why I came back,
there's magic here.

Uh, Sigga's going to California. We're
taking her to the airport. She's a poet.

I'm just learning, I don't know if
my poems are good or if they're even poetry.

I'd love to go to California.

And I would love to
read your poems.

Are they about love?
I bet they are.

Can we go?

Yep.

- Bye, Pia.
- Oh, nice to meet you.

- Nice to meet you.
- Yeah.

Yeah, right.

- Okay, Pia, I'll see you outside?
- Yeah, I'll see you.

Okay.

Do you need help with that?

- Yeah.
- Yeah? Okay.

- Yeah.
- Okay.

Yeah.

Where else are you
gonna find this?

Don't you wanna honor this place
by staying here?

I'm honoring myself.

You've got good friends;
you should keep them.

It's hard to give up
fine, good friends.

Yeah, I will.

Have you ever been in love?

- Not yet.
- That's honest.

We must leave now.
Sigga is going to California.

Hey, am I bothering you?

Is going to California incompatible with
me joining you on your way to Reykjavik?

Yeah, I'm sorry.

No, it's no worries.

Let me throw you a goodbye party,
you know, one last hurrah in Iceland.

No, thank you.
We're leaving in the morning.

Sigga.

- Girls?
- Will there be girls there?

- Yeah.
- Whatever your poison is, my man.

Here.

That's my address.

Hi. I'm here for the
English poetry class.

I'm sorry, but that course
started a month ago.

But you can sign up
for next semester.

I was explaining, it's too late in this
semester to sign up for your class.

I... I can't wait
'til next semester.

I'm going to California
tomorrow.

You all wanna take the class?

- No, only Sigga.
- These are my friends.

A poet with bodyguards,
excellent.

There's always room for another
poet in Iceland. Follow me.

Gentlemen, as you can see,
we have guests.

Sigga and her security
will be joining us.

Sigga, why is it important
that you take this class?

Um, because...

Ah, Sigga is going to California,
to be a poet and find her dreams.

It's an interesting expression,
to find your dreams,

as if they've somehow been misplaced,
or, maybe they've run away.

Uh, I've been dreaming
all my life, in the dark,

- but I want to live in the light where it's warm.
- Sondquist, stop.

I think I'm in love.

With Sigga?

No, she lives in the
Snaefellsjokull National Park.

She works at a café.

- And who's your tomboy live with?
- I'm not a tomboy.

- Kata is in love with Benni, I think.
- No.

- Really?
- No. I'm not in love with Benni.

Sigga, are you in love?

No.

Henrik, Henrik.

Where are you going?

Shall... shall I bring him back?

Thank you, no,
not all poets are happy in love.

Lars, read your poem please.

I did not know there would be poetry
in the class, just talking about it.

I like talking about it
but, I'm not the poet.

We are all poets.

Read that out loud, please.

- What is it?
- It is a recipe for disaster.

Iceland, a boat left high up
On the black sand

A wish denied

My footprints
Lead up to the beach

Where you sat with me?

That day and night and dawn
When I believed in love

And so did
the stars I could see them

but now I am blind

And can only hear
Your footsteps leave my heart

The sea, picking up stones
Leaving them under my feet

I am still standing,
I am, alone.

Your poem is quite sad,
but I liked it.

Now, uh, your poem.

No... it's private.

And I don't show my heart
to just anybody.

Thank you for your class though,
goodbye.

I'm not in love with Benni.
He's an idiot.

Sondquist is a good teacher,
I think.

Where... where's my bag?

I don't know,
should be inside.

It was by the door.

Nikki has taken it.

You know that guy is
a fucking douchebag.

It's not in here.

Why did you bring a tent?

In case there's not
enough room for Benni and me.

Yeah. It's no less logical
than the canoe, live with it.

Hi, Grandma,
these are my friends.

We were hoping
we could stay with you.

I'm speaking English because
I'm going to California.

Who did you say you were?

I'm Sigga, we met when I was
born remember? I'm your granddaughter.

Everyone is related because
we all come from seven women.

$40 a week each
and the tent is extra.

What about the canoe?

Who's he? Is he stupid?
He looks stupid.

He is stupid, yeah.

The canoe is also extra.

Grandma, we're only staying for a
day, here, I have some money for you.

Ah, ah, ah,
I don't carry change.

- What are you doing?
- Writing.

I think we should
get the suitcase.

Yeah.

First, I wanna go
to my aunt's shop.

And then we're going
to the party?

And then we're getting
my suitcase.

We can't bring that inside.

So will you be going
to California, too?

Uh, no, I have my own dream.

I'm going to open a
turtle sanctuary in New Mexico.

You didn't tell me
about that.

Well, it's private.
I've been researching it.

- When?
- Mind your own business.

But I like turtles.

We share
the same interests.

Find your own dream.

Wow.

- You look like a princess.
- Thanks.

And I look like a tomboy.

- No one wants me.
- I might.

No one that I want.

- Yeah, you look nice.
- Thank you.

Is there something for me?

Hi, guys. I'm Fenella.
Nice canoe.

- You could score with that.
- Could I?

Joking. You could.

Sigga is going to California,
we are her friends.

I know who you are.
I love the coat.

Thanks.

You're a lucky girl, you know.

Slut.

Sigga, hi.

Hey, you guys, you made it.

Your new friend
is very attractive, Nikki.

- Do you guys like the music?
- Yeah.

Really? Do you wanna dance?

- No, thank you.
- Fine.

Hey, Jack,
this is my old buddy, Jack.

Uh, Jack, this is everybody, Kata,
Benni, Sigga and Gunni and the canoe.

Does the canoe dance?

Sometimes,
but not professionally.

- So, Nikki tells me you're a writer.
- Yeah.

- Who are your favorite writers?
- Poets.

Which ones?

Actually,
if you guys don't mind, um,

I have something
to return to Sigga.

We'll be right back.

We will wait here.

It's beautiful.

I love Reykjavik,
not too big, not too small.

L.A., man...
You get lost there.

Do you wanna smoke?

No.

Good girl.

Do you always know
what you want?

Yeah.

I used to think that, too.

Then I went to California,
it wasn't what I wanted.

Perhaps you weren't looking
in the right places.

Perhaps not.

A few years ago I thought my life
was gonna blast off like a rocket;

I was gonna fall in love,
I was gonna write every day,

I was gonna be
like Dylan Thomas.

So I packed my bags and I went,

but
the dream didn't work out.

But I guess
we all gotta try, right?

Yeah.

I can't stay here.

Hey, how you guys
doing out here?

Kata,
do you wanna smoke?

- Yeah, sure.
- Kata?

I gotta get my bag.

Okay.

What do you think?

You have great tastes.

Um, here's the suitcase,
and I'm sorry.

I just thought it was the only way that
I could guarantee seeing you again.

You shouldn't steal.

Correct. It won't happen again,
cross my heart, hope to die.

E. E. Cummings, Dylan Thomas,
Naidunia, my favorite poets.

- Do you know them?
- No.

Oh, E. E. Cummings,
he'll start at the top corner

but he'll never go down the middle,
he'll find the side, or jump around...

Didn't know you could
write like that.

I can't. He can.

You might.

Keep it.

- No, I can't.
- Yes, you can. It's yours.

Hey, have you fallen in love
and not going?

No.

If you don't, you have to tell me
because if you don't want him, I do.

Hi again, we're shooting my short
film next week, you should be in it.

- I'm going to...
- Wonderland?

Here, this will help.

Who are you?

I'm Sigga.

Hmm, you're Nikki's girlfriend.

Not his girlfriend.

How could you?
'Cause you're leaving, right?

I'm Nikki's mother,
and I know all about you.

You're just like all the others.

You're not going anywhere.

Why don't you just grow up?

I feel like I'm holding love
in my hands.

Hi.

- Hi.
- Hi.

What will the canoe have?

And you, Gunni?

Um, he's in love.

Do I know her?

Anyone else?

- I don't know.
- No, thank you.

Love is hard.

Yeah.

Nikki?

I don't know.

Are you still going
to California?

Yeah, I am.

You will have your dream too.

Well, if it isn't the poet
and her bodyguards,

I... I'm pretty sure
you were going to America.

We liked the last class.

- Some of us are still in love.
- Thank you.

Uh, I have a poem,
may I read it?

My heart sings for love
I did not ask it

I was elsewhere On another errand
Sent by reasons I misunderstood

Then I saw her

Love rushed in Crushing everything of
mine With the carelessness of a child

I found new strength, new fire
Until I looked down

And saw my fears
And then I was lost

I could not find my way home

Did you write that recently?

Today.

It's sincere.

I wrote it for you.

We're shooting my film tonight;
you got the main part.

Here's where you pick up
your costume, it's paid for.

- Hello, Sigga.
- Hi.

- Surprised that I work here?
- A little.

Come on, I have some
things for you.

- Don't even think about it.
- I'm not.

I'm a romantic.

- Really?
- Yeah.

Is the canoe looking
for anything?

Just friends.

It's a horror movie, you're supposed to be
a serial killer or something, Jack says.

You have such a pretty face.

Let me do your makeup.

- Hey, is that the poem?
- Yeah.

- Are you gonna give it to him?
- He asked to read it.

What the hell?

Great, you could come with me.
We're about to start shooting.

You can put that in the water.

- Topanga doesn't like red water.
- Then you can leave it upstairs.

- Topanga's a he.
- How original.

Nikki was hoping you could come.

Sigga, hi.

Hi.

- You want a drink?
- No.

- Fenella?
- Yes, please.

See, not all of us are perfect.

So, did you like my poem?

I didn't... I didn't think it was
very good but Fenella liked it.

I loved it.

Is that for me?

I'm ready for you.

Let me take your things.

Why are we here?

Talk to me about the dark.

I don't want to.

- I like the light.
- But we all have the dark.

It's just a question
of finding it.

When I wake up in the morning, the
first thing I want to feel is the light.

How warm, how bright,
how strong.

The dark is not my friend

I thought it was
But it isn't

You see we all have a dark side.

A book under my fingers
I would sleep

But love made my heart sing
But I did not know the words

My heart jumped
At each new note

I knew what sound love makes

But the dark is not my friend

I know who you are,
you're a prostitute.

I'm not.

- Why... why are you here?
- Why am I here?

Don't insult me, it's a simple question.
Why are you here?

I don't want to be here,
I want to be happy.

And pigs might fly.

My friends are in the sitting
room, they'd like to meet you.

Meet me? Why?

They've never met a poet.

You can only say you are a poet?

Lovely thing to be a poet.

Let's go home.

There's Pia.

Gunni, stop.

I am your guardian angel.
I'm gonna take you home.

Brokenhearted, no drugs.

Would you like squishy elephant?

Polar bear?

They're pleased to see you back.

Don't look at me like that.

How else would I
look at you, I'm your mother.

Thank goodness
for your friends.

What would have happened to you?

Topanga says, be patient.

You are safe.

I should've left by now.

I should be in California right
now, with my feet in the sand.

There's the sea, my cousin.

Should I even try again?

Yes. Try again.

I don't know
what's happening to me.

Are you in love?

While you have a heart,
you're alive.

What's wrong?

What happened? Kata?

Nikki has come to see you.

Is this your rocket ship?

You know, I would never show
my heart to anyone like I did.

But you just took it
and broke it.

I'm sorry.

I think you're amazing.

I wanted to hear your poetry,

but I took that moment from you

and I'm sorry.

In the morning,
we are taking Sigga to the airport.

Yeah. And we are a bit tight
on space, sorry, bro.

You don't really have to come.

Thank you, Benni, Kata,
but I wouldn't miss this for the world.

Not any of it.

You can sleep in the van.

It takes overnight guests.

Thank you. I appreciate that.

Slept like a prince.
Are you ready?

Here, let me take that for you.
I'll put it in the back.

Okay, it's your time, brother.
Pia.

- Hi.
- Hi.

Gunni has something to say
to you.

Uh, that should've been easier.

Hey... we're taking Sigga
to the airport.

- I know, Benni.
- Yeah?

I'm coming with.
I'll see you outside.

What are you looking at?

You.

I think you're beautiful.

I think I'm in love
with an idiot.

- Do we know this idiot?
- Unfortunately, yes.

It's not that bad.

It is though,
it's the wrong one.

Not if you love him.

I am afraid.

- Of what?
- Of love.

Yeah. Me, too.

Is it Benni?

Yeah.

I cannot talk to Pia.

You will.

I don't want you to go, Sigga.

Gunni, let me drive.

My last shout, my last glory.

Probably dying to get rid of me, one
too many poets in Iceland, you're thinking.

Oh, Topanga says
there's always...

Topanga says there's always room
for another poet in Iceland.

- Los Angeles, please.
- Thank you.

Uh, so, you're all flying
together or...

- Uh, yes. I am.
- No, we are not.

Uh, I'm sorry, Sir, you can't,
uh, bring this in hand luggage.

We're not taking the canoe.

And, also, you can't, uh,
drink and fly.

Oh, I won't be.

Your man will be flying,
I will be drinking in the back.

Yeah, you're gonna have to
speak to my supervisor.

- How about an upgrade?
- Yeah, you're gonna have to speak to my supervisor.

- Okay.
- He will be here shortly.

Oh, my God,
is this a joke?

Who wants to fly today?

- I do.
- Me too.

You are too intoxicated to fly.

You also need a ticket.

If you meet those requirements,
you can go wherever you'd like.

I'll get a ticket and this is just
emotional support, I'm very afraid to fly.

- You can take the next available flight.
- Thanks.

So, from poetry to this.

From this to poetry.

Good luck to all of you
and wherever you travel to.

Um, uh, one room please.

Uh, we don't have so many beds
in one room.

I will sleep in Topanga.

Yeah, I guess I could sleep
in the van.

You could sleep in my bed.

- And how will you pay?
- I'll pay.

- Well, you don't have to.
- Yeah, I do.

Going to the bathroom.

Alone.

What about my cousin, Gunni?

What are you gonna do about her?

Are you gonna leave her be and
let somebody else pick her up,

or are you gonna make a massive, but
potentially doomed, attempt to have her? Hmm?

What is doomed?

Do you think
you'll ever have her?

Can you leave him alone?

Where is your girl?

- Sigga!
- She doesn't want you.

You don't know that.

- And how many bags?
- One.

Be quick, please. Ah.

I love you so much, please,
please don't leave me. Please...

Sigga, Sigga, please
don't leave me.

Sigga, Sigga, Sigga.

- Go away.
- Sorry.

She needs medical
attention.

Sigga, I love you.
Sorry.

Where... where does it hurt?

A bigger accident, no drugs,
some alcohol.

Hello.

Sigga, it's for you.

Who is it?

Who is it?

He doesn't say.

Ask him if he broke my leg?

Did you break my daughter's leg?

Fuck off.

Hi.

- Hi.
- Hi.

How are you doing?

You're still going?

I don't know.

Go.

You'll be fine.

Why is this so hard?

Topanga says it's too early.

When is the right time
gonna be then?

You will know.

Will I?

Yes.

Nikki told me about this place.

Where is he?

He's gone to the mountains
to find the center of the Earth.

They've stopped looking for him.

We were gonna do great things
together.

He saw me, he knew me.

You didn't deserve him.

Take two of these pills a day.

as prescribed on the label.

ANTI-DEPRESSANTS

I heard you've been brave.

Some people told me
you had written a poem.

Yeah, I... I only went to two classes
and I finished neither of them,

so, I don't know if it's good.

Read it to us.

I dream of being a meteor
Shooting across the black skies

Crackles coming from my shoes
Sending me faster and higher

'Til my dreams become true

I would wake Hearing the twigs
break Under my careful fall

And bird wings opening
And closing

My dream will be

Time of snowdrops and airplanes
Clouds, waterfalls

And the smell of cut grass

I'll be back before Christmas.

Hmm, I love you.

Where's Gunni?

I don't think he wanted
to say goodbye.

Yeah, you know,
but he loves you.

Hey, it's Gunni, stop.

Stop.

I'm going to see Pia,
if she will have me.

I know she will.

Drive slowly.

I wanna get there.