Smala

FILM IN PRODUCTION

When the days start to shorten and the fall air gets crisp, it's time to bring home the sheep. SMALA is Icelandic for coming together, when farmers head into the mountains to round up thousands of sheep for the winter. In this rugged landscape with its notoriously erratic weather, it’s often a dangerous expedition to herd reluctant animals from the alpine, down from treacherous cliffs and across glacial rivers. It’s a considerable effort just to provide high quality summer grazing for the sheep.

SMALA follows three Icelandic farmers – Aðalbjörg, Gunnar and Arnór – throughout the roundup season, but along the way much more is revealed. Life as a sheep farmer is fraught with marginal economics and daunting rural realities. These men and women are struggling to save something of themselves and their traditions, despite the threats to their environment, businesses and families.