Noi the Albino (2003/2004) (AKA Noi
albinoi)
Anyone who has ever lived in a small
town and dreamed of getting out one day will immediately
understand "Noi the Albino." And while this theme
has been explored several times in films, it's rarely
been done with the subtlety and overwhelming beauty
that is present in this film.
Noi (pronounced more like Noe) lives
in a small isolated village next to a large mountain
in Iceland. He spends his days reading and trying
to come up with ways to ditch school. There really
isn't much else to do. We discover much about Noi,
his past, his intellect, his current situation, his
thoughts and desires, through very subtle, very well-written
exposition. Tomas Lemarquis, the young man playing
Noi, has such an innocent face and a likeable demeanor
that we instantly feel an affinity for him and, as
the film progresses, we grow to care for him very
much. Noi is passive, inquisitive, intelligent and
warm-hearted.
With his shaved head often covered
by wool hat, his tall, lanky body, his awkwardness,
and his embarrassing family situation, Noi sticks
out like a sore thumb in this tiny village. But what
makes this film so wonderful is that there are really
no antagonists in the plot. What plagues Noi is his
overwhelming boredom and his obvious desire to get
out. He doesn't have to deal with bullies or assholes,
just some general misunderstanding and mild angst.
It's quite refreshing from the contrived conflicts
the protagonists in this type of film usually have
to deal with.
To talk too much about this wonderful
and quiet film would be to spoil its numerous delights
and interesting surprises. This is a movie that unreels
slowly, paces itself perfectly in tune with its plot
and setting, and slowly grows upon us. The cinematography
is just scrumptious and the locale of the village
is perfect. While we certainly feel empathy for Noi
and easily understand his desire for something more
in his life, we also grow to love this small town
where he lives. Perhaps we understand that it is a
better place to visit than it ever would be to grow
up and to live in.
This is a marvelous film. The protagonist
is one that we like spending 100 minutes with. The
story, while very demure, is also very engrossing
and easily understandable. The images here are brilliant
and delightful. In fact, it is impossible to say one
bad thing about this film. Even with its abrupt ending,
with its surprising yet obviously scripted turn of
events, "Noi the Albino" manages to completely win
us over and takes into a world that seems just this
side of magical.
Note:
In Icelandic with subtitles
Written and directed by Dagur Kari.
The Elvis song "In the Ghetto" is
used to humorous effect in the film.
The actor playing the French school
teacher is Lemarquis father in real life. He is a
real school teacher and Kari was one of his students.
The film has been nominated for
several awards and won many.
Released in several countries in
2003, it came to American arthouses beginning in March
of 2004.
Viewed at the Arbor in Austin in
May of 2004.
