Iceland’s official Oscar entry for 2012 ‘The Deep’ (Djúpið Iceland, 2012), directed by native Icelander Baltasar Kormákur (‘Contraband’, 2012; 'Two Guns', 2013), tells the true story of a seemingly impossible survival after a terrible sea squall off the coast of Iceland. In 1984, a fishing boat named ‘Breki’ took to sea and was completely destroyed during a disastrous storm. All souls on deck perished, save one- ‘Gulli’ (Olafur Darri Olafsson).

Freezing and helpless in the midst of the deep dark Atlantic, Gulli miraculously fought to stay alive despite impossible conditions. Being a weighty man, it is thought that it was Gulli’s extra layer of fat that saved his life from the merciless elements; or perhaps it was his communication with the seagulls he befriended and spoke to about past regrets and future hopes, keeping his spirits up and his body warm. Alas, there is no single explanation to understand this unfathomable survival story against all the odds.

While the film is interspersed with archival film footage of the real-life ‘Gulli’, we are provided with the vérité of these fantastic events, which otherwise at times feel supernatural. Captivating direction and stunning cinematography, the events are brought to screen with a breathtaking and nail-biting sea suspense reminiscent of  ‘Jaws’ (1975). This tragic and peculiar tale remains a mystery that has lingered in the collective Icelandic psyche for nearly 30 years.

'The Deep' held its US premier at the 24th Palm Springs International Film Festival, 2013. 

Written by Vanessa McMahon. March 25, 2013.

DIRECTOR: Baltasar Kormákur Producer: Baltasar Kormákur, Agnes Johansen Editor: Sverrir Kristjánsson, Elísabet Ronaldsdóttir Screenwriter: Jón Atli Jónasson, Baltasar Kormáku Cinematographer: Bergsteinn Björgúlfsson Principal Cast: Olafur Darri Olafsson, Johann G Johannsson, Theodor Juliusson, Maria Siguroardottir Filmography: Contraband (2012), White Night Wedding (2008), Jar City (2006), The Sea (2002) 101 Reykjavík (2000) Print Source: Focus World - focusfeatures.com/focusworld