A lot of people say the grass is greener on the other side. But what if, despite everyone else turning their back to it and telling you to do the same, you were perfectly happy with the hue of your green.
The Scandinavian Film Festival is ready to set sail across Australia. And with it The Last Paradise On Earth, Directed by Sakaris Stórá, glides in to dock.
This touching Danish drama film centres on Kári (Sámal H. Hansen), a kind and bashful young man, who calls the Faroe Islands home. On one of those remote islands he spends his quiet days working at the local fish factory and trying to connect with his sister, Silja (Bjørg B. Egholm), both of whom have been struggling since their mother passed away.
With the increasing pressure of the factory potentially closing and their father’s sudden leave for work on the sea, Kári must do what he can to keep his and Silja’s life afloat, all while discovering his own path forward.
The story is a hunt for belonging and finding a sense of self in hard times. Like many people these days, the doubt of if you are in the right place and doing what you should be doing with your life feels very relatable.
It seems that everyone in the village is either leaving the islands for a better, more exciting lifestyle, or incredulous that Kári isn’t. The constant force upon him becomes overbearing at times, and puts you right into his shoes of getting fed up with the repetitive questions, yet also second guessing his purpose in life.
The consistent pace of the film allows you to become familiar with the island’s day to day routine, as if you’re living the days along with them. But never feels monotonous as you see Kári becoming himself in the calming nature surrounding him, appearing comfortable only when out in the fresh elements and birdsong.
In the breathtaking setting of the Faroe Islands, it’s hard to think anything could stand out from the gorgeous mist ridden mountains and colourful Scandinavian houses – yet the emotions that echo through the land are a big takeaway from the film.
Both Hansen and Egholm bring a melancholic beauty to their characters, where you can be pulled into their emotions just from a glimpse into their eyes. Through their engaging portrayals you could easily be fooled into believing it’s their real lives and relationships you’re seeing on screen.
As you continue to watch Kári and Silja piece together their identity and relationship with each other, even in spite of the remote location, the film charms you into feeling right at home with your own emotions. Because of that, the fresh island air of melancholy and delightful visuals make The Last Paradise On Earth a delicious Danish treat.
To book tickets to The Last Paradise On Earth (Scandinavian Film Festival) , please visit https://scandinavianfilmfestival.com/films/sca25-the-last-paradise-on-earth.
