My Father's Island

The film opens with Roy (Ruaridh Mollica) making his way through Norway’s frozen landscape to meet Anna (Alma Pöysti). She vaguely recognises him from years back and asks if he wants to go the cabin. He does and on the journey the film flashbacks to his teens.

Tom (Swann Arlaud) is divorced from Elizabeth (Tuppence Middleton) and keen to reestablish some sort of relationship with his son Roy (now played by Woody Norman). His idea is to take Roy out of school to a remote Norwegian island, survive for that year and hopefully become father and son.

Roy accepts and with only Anna periodically dropping supplies they are on their own. The cabin is in a terrible condition so they set making it liveable. At first Roy has difficulties both with the harsh environment and Tom’s sometime waspish character. Slowly they build an understanding and respect while they endure bad weather, lack of food and bear attacks on the cabin.

Adapted from the novella Sukkwan Island by David Vann and directed Vladimir de Fontenay this a moving and powerful character study of two people trying to reconstruct a relationship. Tom pursues his plan with such abandon that he’s almost prepared to forgo his and Roy’s wellbeing. The pressure eventually begins to tell on Roy who at one point decides he’s had enough, only to change his mind.

Tom is also looking get back with Elizabeth though she has moved on. Roy to some extent is caught in a crossfire as Tom’s mental begins to deteriorate. When he sustains a serious injury by dubious cause he’s still manages to stick it Roy, who saved him.

The relationship between them complicates with empathies swaying back and forth. Tom comes over as manipulative and terse, while Roy is at times confused as to what this the exercise is really all about. A chance to have a proper relationship or just Tom’s selfish attempt to get back with Elizabeth.

This is very much a two hander with Norman and Arlaud excellent in their roles as they bicker and try to see each other’s perspective. Where the film does suffer is it’s maybe too long and for all the emotion and angst emitted these aren’t easy people to relate to or engage with.

The ending and final titles do wallop the viewer though maybe not eliciting the reaction that de Fontenay was anticipating.

My Father’s Island will be released in the UK and Ireland on 3 July 2026.