Addi, a boy raised by a clairvoyant mother, decides to adopt a bullied misfit into his gang of outsiders. Left to their own devices, the boys explore aggression and violence but also learn about loyalty and love. As their behavior escalates towards life–threatening situations, Addi begins to experience a series of dreamlike visions.

Directed by: Guðmundur Arnar Guðmundsson

Written by: Guðmundur Arnar Guðmundsson

Produced by: Anton Máni Svansson, Lise Orheim Stende, Jesper Morthorst, Nima Yousefi, Peter Possne, Caroline Ljungberg, Linda Van Der Herberg, Jeroen Beker, Pavel Strnad

Cinematography: Sturla Brandth Grøvlen

Editing: Andri Steinn Guðjónsson, Anders Skov

Production Design: Hulda Helgadóttir

Costume Design: Helga Rós Hannam

Make-Up: Kristín Júlla Kristjánsdóttir

Sound: Jan Schermer

Original Score: Kristian Eidnes Andersen

Casting Director: Vigfús Þormar Gunnarsson

Cast: Birgir Dagur Bjarkason, Áskell Einar Pálmason, Viktor Benóný Benediktsson, Snorri Rafn Frímannsson, Aníta Briem, Ísgerður Gunnarsdóttir, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson

Original Title: BERDREYMI

Original Languages: Icelandic

Film Production Countries: Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands, Czechia

Statement of the Director/s
As I was exploring stories to write for my second feature film, certain dreams haunted me and did not stop until I started writing this story.

Me and my childhood friends come from normal working-class families. At the same time our world felt unique. The sarcastic humor, violent behavior, and parents who didn’t really seem to have their own lives together. On top of that, in my family, the belief in meaningful dreams and supernatural senses. BEAUTIFUL BEINGS brings these elements together. It is a story about friendship that is full of youthful energy, hope and confused feelings. About a group of boys that feel somewhat unwelcome but find support in one another.

BEAUTIFUL BEINGS brings up the questions: What is true friendship? Can boys who seem like bad influences still be good friends? And finally, how do you find your own path? What is the importance of listening to one’s intuition? As a filmmaker my hope is to give the audience an authentic sensation of being a teenager. We should experience the boys’ world like we are there with them.

I love the visual and poetic aspects of film and I am a strong believer in the importance of the stories we tell. I went into filmmaking because I aspired to move people and enrich their senses, like many great films have done for me. I hope that BEAUTIFUL BEINGS also does that for some, with a story about friendship, the importance of role models, self-acceptance and intuition.

Biography of the Director/s
Guðmundur Arnar graduated in Fine Art and studied screenwriting. His short films and feature debut have been showcased and awarded in numerous festivals. Among these accolades are Cannes Film Festival, Venice Film Festival and a nomination for the European Film Awards. His debut feature HEARTSTONE premiered in the Venice Days Competition in 2016 and ended up collecting over 50 awards worldwide.

Filmography of the Director/s
2022 - BEAUTIFUL BEINGS, Feature
2016 - HEARTSTONE, Feature
2014 - ÁRTÚN, Short
2013 - WHALE VALLEY, Short

Production Company:
Join Motion Pictures
Anton Máni Svansson
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: +3546150005
Website: http://www.jmp.is/

World Sales:
New Europe Film Sales
Jan Naszewski
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: +48600173205
Website: https://neweuropefilmsales.com/

Can his newfound intuition guide him and his friends back to a safer path, or will they dive irrevocably into further violence?