Englar alheimsins / Angels of the Universe

Paul, whose age is difficult to guess, is still living with his parents. He behaves like a teenager, living for the day, painting in oils, playing the drums, and spinning fantastic yarns. When his girlfriend breaks up with him because he’s merely the son of a taxi driver, his world starts to fall apart. Paul’s behaviour becomes increasingly erratic and he is ultimately admitted to a mental institution. The film is about the state of mind of its hero, but also that of the country. “52.3 percent of Icelanders believe in elves and trolls”, says the hospital director, “but the patients here are isolated because of their very personal models of belief and sentiments”. The saviour appears to Paul, and says he will walk on water. As the boundaries between reality and unreality begin to blur, we find ourselves in a world that functions according to its own rules. Paul’s psychosis is treated with medication. The film is a moving argument against modern psychiatric care.