The Seagull's Laughter

The Seagull's Laughter

Sometimes it's not about whodunit... but why

2001 · 102 min · ★ 5.5 · Drama, Comedy

Post-war provincial Iceland: around 1950, Freyja, who'd been a plump teen, returns from America, a widow with a 20-inch waist, seven suitcases of dresses, and a list of who ever wronged or slighted her. She moves in with an aunt and socialist uncle: finding a new husband is high on her agenda, and she's mistrusted by Agga, a pre-teen who's our eyes and ears. The social order and Freyja are more complicated than they seem at first, and so may be her prospects. Class divisions, families ties, pride, the onset of puberty, and the power of Eros sliver the ice.

Directed by Ágúst Guðmundsson · Written by Ágúst Guðmundsson

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Rent or Buy

Fandango At Home
Provider data from JustWatch via TMDB →

Cast

More from Ágúst GuðmundssonSee all →

RustRust · 1990
Rust
9.01990
MovieThrillerDrama
After 15 years Pétur returns to Baddi's auto garage that is still located at the end of the world. Baddi lives there with his two children and worker. 15 years before terrible events occurred at the garage that forced Pétur to leave.
Nonni und ManniNonni und Manni · 1988
Nonni und Manni
8.61988
SeriesFamily
Nonni and Manni is a children's television series produced as a joint venture between Iceland and West Germany. It debuted on 26 December 1988 on West Germany's ZDF channel and lasted for six episodes with the last one being aired on 1 January 1989. The story was based on the eponymous book written by the popular Icelandic children's author Jón Sveinsson, nicknamed "Nonni", who had written several books inspired by his own experiences of growing up alongside his brother Ármann, nicknamed "Manni". The filming for the series took place in Iceland, West Germany and Norway.
Golden SandsGolden Sands · 1984
Golden Sands
8.01984
MovieComedy
A political comedy about the effects of the apparent discovery of gold in the sands near a small community on Iceland's south coast. Troops from the American NATO base "invade" the territory, journalists from Reykjavik arrive and the morals of the local inhabitants quickly turn topsy-turvy.
On TopOn Top · 1982
On Top
7.11982
MovieComedyMusic
Two rock groups, one male, the other female, decide to do a combined effort to hit the road of stardom by doing a show together. As the show is getting on the road, the lead singers of the two groups have a disagreement which brings about a parting of ways, in love as in life. A historic tour of the country begins, which through the music and performances of the two groups as well as the reactions of their audiences, reveals, beneath the comedy, glimpses of today's real competition between the sexes, seen against the background of Icelandic life.
Under the GlacierUnder the Glacier · 1989
Under the Glacier
6.71989
MovieComedyFantasy
Our hero is Umbi (an acronym for emissary of the bishop), sent by him to undertake an important investigation at Snæfell-glacier. In particular he is to look into the conduct and behavior of Jón Prímus, the old pastor at Snæfell. Fantastic rumors are rife: amongst other things it is said that a corpse is lodged in the glacier! Armed with his tape recorder and notebook, Umbi embarks upon his mission. He tries to question the weird locals, a weird lot, but gets evasive answers. Slowly he is dragged into a quagmire of strange happenings and his efforts to understand only make him confused. If at the beginning he is a chipper, a mere device, by the end of the story he is inextricably involved, a committed participant in the bizarre events.
Land and SonsLand and Sons · 1980
Land and Sons
6.71980
MovieDrama
An Icelandic farmer's son decides to leave his farm, fiance, friends, dog and horse, during the depression before World War II, to start a new life somewhere else.
The DanceThe Dance · 1998
The Dance
6.21998
MovieDramaComedy
Águst Guðmundsson directed this Icelandic period drama, adapted from the short story We Must Dance by William Heinesen, and set on an island in 1913. Pétur (Gunnar Helgason) narrates, recalling the days when mainlanders arrived for a wedding. Flirtatious Sirsa (Pálína Jónsdottir) marries Harald (Dofri Hermannsson), son of a wealthy landowner on the island. Offshore, a ship is sinking, so the men form a rescue party, returning with the captain, the engineer, and several sailors. With a storm gathering, the engineer dies. The clergyman requests an end to the festivities as a mark of respect. Sirsa protests, but her new husband brings the celebration to a halt. The group then fragments into different activities, drunken or otherwise, and the sensual Sirsa directs her attention toward the handsome Ívar (Baldur Trausti Hreinsson). The film's score features traditional folk music.
Ahead of TimeAhead of Time · 2004
Ahead of Time
5.82004
MovieComedyMusic
More than twenty years after the premiere of one of the most beloved Icelandic films (On Top/Med allt a hreinu 1982) a sequel appears. A band which folded twenty years ago (they were even considered old-fashioned then) sees fit to stage a comeback. Indications point to a great future until the ghosts of the past catch up with the band in the form of a single mother and a jolly roadie. We follow the band not only through the magnificent Icelandic landscape but also through two continents and a brief spell in the other world.
Outlaw: The Saga of GisliOutlaw: The Saga of Gisli · 1981
Outlaw: The Saga of Gisli
5.41981
MovieDrama
Based on the saga of Gísli Súrsson, one of the Icelandic Sagas. The attempt of a family head in 10th century Iceland to strengthen the fragile bonds within the clan through blood brotherhood turns into the opposite through suspicion and resentment. When the law of blood revenge has to be fulfilled after a murder, a fateful chain reaction is set in motion.
Spooks and SpiritsSpooks and Spirits · 2013
Spooks and Spirits
2.52013
MovieComedyFamily
Ofeigur, the passed away father of Anna Sol walks again and starts to involve her life and her boyfriend, Ingi Brjann. The young couples are going to sell the house of the dead but Ofeigur is not very happy with that and tries to convince them not to do it. The intervention of the ghost is so irritating that Ingi Brjann tries to get him away by using methods from an old magic book.
Across the Interior of IcelandAcross the Interior of Iceland · 1983
Across the Interior of Iceland
1983
MovieDocumentary
The film is about travelling on horseback across the Icelandic interior on the main route, which once connected the north of Iceland with the shout. This route was the scene of a tragic accident in the 18th century, when young farmers moving a flock of sheep to the North, perished in a snowstorm. For many years following the incident the track was not used, until the 19th century, when Captain Daniel Bruun from Denmark, accompanied by a photographer and a water-colour artist, crossed the difficult terrain, deep rivers, and rocky heights in sun, rain, fog and wind, marking the way with stones laboriously heaped into cairns.
A Little SwellingA Little Swelling · 1980
A Little Swelling
1980
MovieDramaTV Movie
A drama shot on location in Reykjavík which deals with the pregnancy of a 16 year old schoolgirl and the effect it has on her life. This is an unusual look at a classic situation through the eyes of the young mother-to-be. Humour heightens the refreshingly new treatment of the subject matter.
Love in a SupermarketLove in a Supermarket · 1986
Love in a Supermarket
1986
MovieTV Movie
Albert works in the meat section of a convenience store who falls in love with a woman who frequents the store.
High TideHigh Tide · 1981
High Tide
1981
Movie
No plot found anywhere online.
Man of the StageMan of the Stage · 2018
Man of the Stage
2018
MovieDocumentary
Personal and elaborative documentary about Iceland's first real pop star, Bjorgvin Halldorsson.
the Colours of the earththe Colours of the earth · 1991
the Colours of the earth
1991
MovieDramaTV Movie
Mummi, a sixteen year old farmers son falls in love with Sigrún, but when it comes to love, Mummi has no experience and thus must figure it out for himself.

More Like This

The FortressThe Fortress · 2017
The Fortress
6.82017
MovieWarDrama
Ancient Korea, 17th century. The powerful Khan of the Jurchen tribe of Manchuria, who fights the Ming dinasty to gain China, becomes the first ruler of the Qing dinasty and demands from King In-jo of Joseon to bow before him; but he refuses, being loyal to the Mings. On December 14th, 1636, the Qing horde invades Joseon, so King In-jo and his court shelter in the mountain fortress of Namhan and prepare to defend the kingdom.
All of Us StrangersAll of Us Strangers · 2023
All of Us Strangers
7.42023
MovieRomanceDrama
One night in his near-empty tower block in contemporary London, Adam has a chance encounter with a mysterious neighbor, which punctures the rhythm of his everyday life.
Forrest GumpForrest Gump · 1994
Forrest Gump
8.51994
MovieComedyDrama
A man with a low IQ has accomplished great things in his life and been present during significant historic events—in each case, far exceeding what anyone imagined he could do. But despite all he has achieved, his one true love eludes him.
MetropolisMetropolis · 1927
Metropolis
8.11927
MovieDramaScience Fiction
In a futuristic city sharply divided between the rich and the poor, the son of the city's mastermind meets a prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences.
The HustlerThe Hustler · 1961
The Hustler
7.71961
MovieDramaRomance
Fast Eddie Felson is a small-time pool hustler with a lot of talent but a self-destructive attitude. His bravado causes him to challenge the legendary Minnesota Fats to a high-stakes match.
The Man Who Fell to EarthThe Man Who Fell to Earth · 1976
The Man Who Fell to Earth
6.51976
MovieScience FictionDrama
Thomas Jerome Newton is an alien who has come to Earth in search of water to save his home planet. Aided by lawyer Oliver Farnsworth, Thomas uses his knowledge of advanced technology to create profitable inventions. While developing a method to transport water, Thomas meets Mary-Lou, a quiet hotel clerk, and begins to fall in love with her. Just as he is ready to leave Earth, Thomas is intercepted by the U.S. government, and his entire plan is threatened.
Straw DogsStraw Dogs · 1971
Straw Dogs
7.21971
MovieThrillerDrama
David Sumner, a mild-mannered academic from the United States, marries Amy, an Englishwoman. In order to escape a hectic stateside lifestyle, David and his wife relocate to the small town in rural Cornwall where Amy was raised. There, David is ostracized by the brutish men of the village, including Amy's old flame, Charlie. Eventually the taunts escalate.
The Children's TrainThe Children's Train · 2024
The Children's Train
7.42024
MovieDrama
In late 1940s Italy, a mother makes the difficult decision to send her son to the north, where he catches glimpses of a new life away from poverty.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter