The Damned, a Nordic horror film set in a 19th century Icelandic village, is generating buzz ahead of its sneak peek at the European Film Market in Berlin. Directed by Thordur Palsson, the film stars Odessa Young as Eva, a widow running an isolated fishing post in Iceland's West Fjords. The story revolves around a shipwreck off the coast, where Eva and her crew are faced with a difficult decision: rescue the survivors or leave them to die.
Palsson drew inspiration from Icelandic folklore and myths for the film's plot. He explains that the tales he heard growing up in Iceland often involved ships getting stuck on rocks, with rumors of locals intentionally moving the lighthouse to cause the accidents. In these stories, the townsfolk would then take whatever they could find from the shipwrecks to survive the harsh winters. However, if there were any survivors, they would be eliminated to prevent them from seeking revenge.
The concept of revenge from beyond the grave is central to the film. In Icelandic folklore, the wrongly killed are said to return as 'draugur,' a term that translates to 'ghost' but is closer to the idea of a zombie. These vengeful entities, represented as rotting bodies, seek revenge on those who wronged them. As mysterious tragedies befall the village in The Damned, there is speculation that the shipwrecked survivors have transformed into draugur.
While The Damned features occasional jump scares, Palsson emphasizes that it is more focused on psychological horror than splatter gore. The film is shot entirely from Eva's perspective, as she begins to question the reality around her. Palsson cites Rosemary's Baby as a classic example of psychological horror that explores social issues, and he aims to achieve a similar effect with The Damned. By keeping the audience within Eva's psychological perspective, the film prompts viewers to question whether her experiences are a result of guilt or if there truly is a vengeful entity haunting her.
The Damned was filmed on location in the West Fjords, adding to its sense of realism. The isolated European outpost defending itself from small boats carrying foreigners also carries political undertones. Eva's debate with the villagers mirrors the ongoing discussions in European parliaments about whether to accept refugees or let them perish at sea. Palsson believes that exploring this issue through the lens of a horror movie allows for a deeper examination of the moral questions involved. He poses the question to the audience: if faced with a sinking ship off your shores, would you save the foreigners or let them die?
With its unique blend of Nordic horror, Icelandic folklore, and political commentary, The Damned promises to be a thought-provoking and chilling cinematic experience. The film's sneak peek at the European Film Market is sure to attract attention from buyers and audiences alike.
