Under the Tree is an Icelandic foreign language film following
two families from a suburban neighbourhood whom get underneath each other’s nerves.
The film follows both sets of neighbours as microaggressions between the two slowly start ramping up in severity.
The film follows both sets of neighbours as microaggressions between the two slowly start ramping up in severity.
The Icelandic film carries a healthy dosage of dark humour
(as many Scandinavian comedies do) focusing on how little, innocuous things
can turn into big issues given the right circumstances.
Under the Tree touches on themes relating to family dynamics,
the notion of community togetherness and a larger present theme of distrust of
people who hold different values or belong to different social groups.
Synopsis
In a normal, quiet Icelandic neighbourhood live two families.
On one side are Inga and Baldvin, who are grandparents to a sweet, little girl. On
the other side of the fence live Konrad and Eybjorg, a middle-aged couple who a
bit younger, like to keep to themselves.
The two couples seem to be living fairly quiet lives. But
everything kicks off when the two sides get into an argument over the tree in
Inga and Balvin’s backyard.
Apparently, it is too big. In fact, from Eybjorg and Konrad’s
perspective it’s so big that it blocks almost all of the sunlight to their
backyard deck.
You’d think that it’d be a simple matter to solve. Just a
quick trim job should do the trick, right? Well, not in this case.
When the
issue is brought up, both couples blow it out of proportion. Neither side is
happy with the other and blame each other for the problem at hand.
And even worse, both wives seem to have it in for each other. Neither seem to like the other. The shared animosity makes the problem even bigger, leading to the overall deterioration of a civil relationship between the two families.
And even worse, both wives seem to have it in for each other. Neither seem to like the other. The shared animosity makes the problem even bigger, leading to the overall deterioration of a civil relationship between the two families.
The remainder of the film follows both couples as each play
a tit for tat game. Where little microaggressions are served and returned like a
game of tennis on a neighbourhood court.
We follow both families as they play petty
games with one another, as they each deal with ongoing personal family
issues. Making for a hilarious watch, steeped with tons of dark humour.
Important Themes
Under the Tree tells a comedic tale whose script could easily
be mistaken for a play script, due to all of the drama that unfolds. As funny
and far removed the storyline of the film is, the Icelandic film still touches
on important societal themes. Mostly that surrounding family ties and distrust
between those belonging to different communities.
Icelandic culture is very unique to say the least. The small
island country has long been known as a homogeneous nation for centuries. This
mostly has to do with Iceland’s isolated location, having it’s own exclusive
language and strict laws on emigration, immigration and even what names you can legally have as an Icelandic citizen.
However, now the country is starting to slowly open the doors of the nation to the world of globalization.
In the form of accepting refugees from overseas, relaxing migration laws, seeing
an influx of citizens born outside of the country and a booming tourism industry (an industry that brought in over $2 billion in 2018).
Due to this uniqueness of Icelandic culture, many cling to
long held beliefs and values. This, while good for keeping culture alive, also
can lead to people rejecting things that are new or different. Creating
division or distrust between people.
This stretches from people who have different backgrounds,
beliefs, opinions or way of lives.
This can also be seen in Icelandic politics. As in 2017, Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson was forced from office after being named in the Panama Papers. Resulting in measures of voter distrust and disgust reaching unprecedented levels.
This can also be seen in Icelandic politics. As in 2017, Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson was forced from office after being named in the Panama Papers. Resulting in measures of voter distrust and disgust reaching unprecedented levels.
Even outside of Iceland, there is a widespread issue of
distrust seen all across countries like the United States and Canada. As tides
begin to shift with social change, it seems as though there are more divisions
between people more than there are similarities these days.
Under the Tree touches on this aspect of reality brilliantly.
While poking fun at the issue and telling a hilarious (and distinctively Icelandic)
story.
Conclusion
Under the Tree is a great film. It tells a funny story with a
boatload of dark humour. Depicting how continuous, small problems can quickly
add up to a massive issue with drastic consequences.
Be sure to add Under the Tree to your watch list. There aren’t
many films out there like it. It is uniquely Icelandic and tells a truly
original story. If you love dark humour, it gives you double the reason to give
it a watch.
