Metalhead (2013)

Set against the stark and rugged hinterlands of rural Iceland, the story of Metalhead (2013) unfurls beneath an August midday sun. The tale is centered around the blissfully innocent eleven-year-old Hera, a radiant beacon of joy in a simple farming family. However, her carefree existence is abruptly shattered when a calamitous accident claims the life of her beloved brother, Baldur. This tragic event plunges the once-happy household into a void of despair, with Hera leading the charge of rebellion. Haunted by the relentless specter of her brother's memory, which permeates every nook and cranny of their home, Hera's grief mutates into a vehement rage against God. Her soul, once vibrant and full of life, sinks into a murky abyss of desolation. Alienated and teetering on the precipice of self-destruction, she rejects the local priest's attempts at reconciliation, blaming divine injustice for her pain. As the years roll on, Hera finds solace in the dark embrace of Black Metal, a burgeoning music movement that resonates with her anguish. She channels her torment into creating death rock anthems, embodying her brother's lifestyle in a desperate bid to keep his spirit alive. This newfound musical purpose offers Hera a lifeline, but her wounds remain raw, the scabs of the past constantly picked open by her refusal to let go. Her rebellion sends shockwaves through their tight-knit community, her actions a stark contrast to the tranquillity of their pastoral life. Hera's struggle to reconcile with her past becomes a ticking time bomb, threatening to consume her. As her life spirals further into chaos, will she realize in time that her relentless wallowing in grief may be her ultimate undoing? The path to closure is fraught with challenges, and only by facing her pain head-on can Hera hope to find salvation, both for herself and her fractured family. The story of Metalhead is not just a tale of loss and rebellion, but also a testament to the transformative power of music in the face of despair.

Metalhead is a drama movie featuring Þorbjörg Helga Þorgilsdóttir and directed by Ragnar Bragason.

Metalhead is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.