101 REYKJAVIK

Director Baltasar Kormákur / 2000 / Iceland

Hlynur considers waking up in time to masturbate to aerobic workouts on early morning TV a major achievement. A 20-something slacker with zero ambition, he has moved from child support to the dole and hopes to nap his way to an old age pension. 101 Reykjavik is a bizarre but charming and affectionate dark comedy about sexual confusion and emotional maturity, or the lack thereof.

Hlynui's story, set in the depths of a frigid Icelandic winter, unfolds tike a daily diary. He meets up with his garbage-men pals to smoke pot and drink; occasionally they venture out to a flea market to pick up an animal porn video to keep their sexually frustrated pet iguana company. Each night they head to a dingy club that Hlynur describes as resembling the "waiting room at a VD clinic". His routine is upset when his divorced mother takes on a lesbian lover Lola, a spirited flamenco teacher played by Spanish bombshell and Almodovar regular Victoria Abril.

Director Baltasar Kornakur adds to his characters' woes when a sneaky drunken sex romp leaves Lola pregnant. Hlynur is confused as to whether he will be his son's brother or his brother's father! A comic masterpiece with a punchy soundtrack by Blur's Damon Albarn and a former member of the Sugarcubes.

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