Heartstone

(Iceland, directed by Guðmundur Arnar Guðmundsson)

We’ve seen quite a deal of naturalistic drama films about the growing pains of adolescents, but seldom this subtle and honest. Taking place in a remote Icelandic fishing village, Heartstone evolves around Thor and Kristjan, two fourteen year-old boys. Kristjan is privily in love with Thor, but struggles with coming to terms with his sexuality in this unforgiving macho world.  Heartstone is both a beautiful exploration of growing up and a visually striking portrait of an isolated community.