Astrópía

Hildur (Steinunn Jonsdottir) is a socialite and regular fixture in the celebrity press.  When her boyfriend Jolli (Por Jonsson) is thrown in prison for fraud, she loses everything: their apartment, money, etc.  She ends up staying with her old friend Bjort (Gudmundsdotti) and Bjort's 8 year old son, Snorri (Sigurdsson).  She has no skills or experience, but manages to get a job at fantasy-shop Astrópía selling role-playing games.

She doesn't understand the products, to the annoyance of her co-workers, Floki (Por Sverrisson) and Pesi (Sigfusson).  Her boss, Goggi (Magnusson), helps her find skills in the store and invites her to join his role-playing game.  Goggi is the game-master and they play at the home of Dagur (Engilbertsson), who Hildur does not like.  They are joined by Scat (Ragnarsson), a nerdy rapper, and Beta (Vilhjalmsdottir), a violent tomboy, and begin their game.  As Hildur is drawn into the game, she gains new confidence and self-esteem.  Can she maintain her new life and friendships when Jolli gets out of prison?

I discovered this film through Netflix instant streaming.  I'm not sure how I found it, but it sounded interesting, so I added it to my queue.  I finally found time to sit down and watch it, and I was not disappointed.  The film is a love letter to nerds / geeks, with in jokes about "Star Trek" and role-playing games, but still enjoyable if you don't get all the jokes.

The film is interesting, with elaborate fantasy sequences where the characters are acting out the role-playing adventures.  The characters are funny and draw you in from the beginning.  The story is good, if implausible, and flows seemlessly.  It has a short running time (or at least it feels like it) and leaves you wanting more.  The film is in Icelandic, with English subtitles.  Check it out, you won't be disappointed.

Astrópía [Dorks & Damsels] (2007) 93 minutes
Director: Gunnar B. Gudmundsson
Starring: Ragnhildur Steinunn Jonsdottir as Hildur
Snorri Engilbertsson as Dagur
David Por Jonsson as Jolli
Sverrir Por Sverrisson as Floki
Petur Johann Sigfusson as Pesi
Halla Vilhjalmsdottir as Beta
Jorundur Ragnarsson as Scat
Halldor Magnusson as Goggi
Sara Marti Gudmundsdotti as Bjort
Alexander Sigurdsson as Snorri