Rated:
Directed and Written by: Grimur Hakonarson
Starring: Ardís Hrönn Egilsdottir, Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson, Hinrik Olafsson, borsteinn Bachmann.
Icelandic with English subtitles
The Co-op grocery store.
The back-stop of the community.
In true farming fashion, Inga (Ardís Hrönn Egilsdottir) pulls a calf from a cow’s womb.
The calf looks up. Healthy.
Inga sits back, proud.
This is a woman who takes pride in her work. Not pride, exactly. Appreciation, of the everyday.
Her husband, Reynir (Hinrik Olafsson) snuggles close to her as Inga works in bed on her laptop, writing.
Seems like an ordinary life – a farm in The County, surrounded by snow on heather; there’s tractors and drinking while watching the game.
Then it starts.
First with a man from the Co-op bailing up a painter for buying his paint from elsewhere.
Then Inga wonders why they can’t buy fertilizer cheaper from a different distributor.
Why should the Co-op decide where they purchase their goods?
Why?
Because the Co-op will take the land from under the farmers if there’s debt.
And how do farmers get out of debt when they’re forced to pay more from the Co-Op?
They can’t.
It’s what Inga calls, ‘The Co-op mafia.’
And she’s not afraid to post articles about it.
The County is a slow burn drama (not really a comedy) that follows Inga as she uncovers the wrong that so many others in the community turn a blind eye to because of the hold one company can have when they’re the only option.
But there’s more to the story then a bent company.
This is a slow tear tracing a cheek as the snow falls.
This is about grief. And letting go.
I like the message here and seeing the strength of character – a woman standing up for what’s right; to free herself.
Quiet in the telling, this is a countryside drama without any thrills, just a good quality character study without flash because Inga wouldn’t need it.
Better to see the truth.