
Under the Tree
2017

2011
Not RatedDirector
Hafsteinn Gunnar Sigurðsson
Runtime
84 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetSynopsis
Two employees of the Icelandic Road Administration spend the summer painting lines on the winding roads as they both find themselves at a crossroads in their lives.
Overall Score
Limited
Category Breakdown
LGBTQ+ Representation
The film centers on the intense bond between two adolescent males. While it explores male intimacy and vulnerability, it lacks explicit depictions of same-sex romance or non-cisnormative identities.
Gender Representation
The narrative is heavily male-centric, focusing on adolescent restlessness rather than traditional masculine leadership. However, the lack of female agency limits the scope of gendered representation.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Set in Iceland with a primarily Icelandic cast, the film presents a homogeneous social environment. It does not feature significant racial blending or color-blind casting.
Religious & Cultural Diversity
The story engages with postmodern themes by deconstructing local myths and social norms. It prioritizes the characters' subjective realities over established civic duties or traditional structures.
Disability Representation
There is no evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities driving the narrative. Psychological states are framed through adolescent development rather than specific disability-related arcs.
Strengths
Areas for Improvement
AI Analysis
Either Way is a localized character study that prioritizes atmospheric storytelling over demographic breadth. It succeeds in subverting traditional social expectations and masculine tropes, offering a nuanced look at adolescent obsession and isolation. However, the film lacks intersectional complexity. The cast is culturally homogeneous, and the narrative focus on a specific male experience results in low scores for racial, gender, and LGBTQ+ representation. Ultimately, the film functions as a niche exploration of identity that avoids traditional hierarchies but fails to provide a diverse or inclusive spectrum of characters.

2017

2007

2010

2010

2004

2004

2018

2010

2011

2001

2012

2003
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!
Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.