Queer storytelling is constantly evolving in the right direction, and it’s been good to see the latest crop of new films increasingly focus on queer life in smaller towns and villages around the world rather than the more obvious big urban centres. Another welcome development, particularly for trans characters, is for the queer story not to be the main focus of the narrative, but rather part of everyday life like that of the rest of the characters in a film.

The excellent Odd Fish follows in this vein. The latest offer from Icelandic director Snævar Sölvason Odd Fish is set in a small community in Iceland’s Western Fjordlands. Fifty-somethings Hjalti (Bjorn Jorundur Friobjornsson) and Bjorn (Arna Magnea Danks) are childhood best friends and have lived and worked in their small village all their lives. They run a successful fish restaurant together which just opens for the summer season. Hjalti is a pillar of the community and also owns a local maritime museum. He is gruff, old-school and not the best communicator. He’s somewhat estranged from his wife and three sons, one of whom is gay, who all live in Reykjavik in the south of Iceland. Bjorn is very different. He’s quiet, gentle, easy-going and has never left home, living with his ailing father.

An opportunity arises to keep the restaurant open all winter. Both men are keen to do this but the timing of the winter launch party coincides with the death of Bjorn’s father and his subsequent decision to live his truest life as Birna, a pansexual trans woman. Hjalti, whilst not necessarily transphobic, doesn’t react in the best way, and is concerned about the ‘loss’ of his best male friend, any effect on the business, and what people will think in their small community. How will Hjalti and Birna navigate their new relationship?

Written by Solvason in partnership with trans writer Veiga Gretarsdottir, Odd Fish is a very sensitive portrayal of the journey everyone goes on during someone’s gender transition. It’s a tender drama, fused with strength and dry humour. Friobjornsson is excellent as the bull-in-a-china-shop Hjalti. His poor communication skills get him into all sorts of trouble with his loved ones, but ultimately his heart is in the right place. Danks is also strong, particularly as Birna finds her vigour as a trans woman. Gretarsdottir’s contribution to the script is noticeable and invaluable, with gentle references to issues a non-trans writer might miss, such as the shortage of words referencing trans issues in the Icelandic vocabulary. Shot on location in a wintry northern Iceland, we feel the need for everyone to get along in this cold, remote, macho community, but also for everyone to live their truest lives. The film is more about Hjalti’s journey than Birna’s, and as I mentioned before, I feel this is a good step forward for the greater integration of trans characters into storytelling. The clue is in the title, but who actually is the odd fish here? My only criticism is that Birna’s transition happens very quickly, more of a build-up would have been preferable, but this is a minor point. This is a warm-hearted film, which is matched by a sweet soundtrack by Mugison. Odd Fish highlights that it’s what we have in common with our friends, family and neighbours that matters, rather than what sets us apart. Recommended.