The first Icelandic series to be selected in CANNESERIES and now competing in the series section of the Geneva International Film Festival (GIFF), Reykjavík Fusion, created by Hörður Rúnarsson and Birkir Blær Ingólfsson and written by the duo in collaboration with Jónas Margeir Ingólfsson, demonstrates, through a perfect blend of comedy and drama, the difficulties of reintegrating into society after an (unjustified) spell in prison.

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Following his release, the dreams of protagonist Jónas (magnificently played by American–Icelandic star Ólafur Darri Ólafsson) clash violently with reality, as if the stain of his criminal record were impossible to erase. Iceland likes to believe in the transformative power of imprisonment, but life after being released is anything but rosy. Here, as elsewhere, dreams are primarily reserved for people who toe the line.

When our talented chef, Jónas, who was jailed on tax fraud charges, finally gets out of prison, he decides to open a restaurant in order to redeem himself and win back the love and respect of his family. But how can he make his dream come true in the face of the stigma imposed by a society which cruelly turns its back on those it sees as repeat offenders? Fully aware of his situation and ready to do whatever it takes to see his plan through, our protagonist accepts help from an underworld boss, a decidedly dangerous partner-in-crime who exploits the situation to set up a money-laundering operation. Subsequently, Jónas’s daily life turns into a survival exercise which sees him unwittingly sinking deeper and deeper into criminality. To achieve his dream, our Icelandic anti-hero decides not only to put his probation at risk but also his and his family’s lives.

Directed by Gunnar Páll Ólafsson and Samúel Bjarki Pétursson, Reykjavík Fusion is an elegant, visually meticulous and frenetically paced series, powered by complex and moving characters who ensure the movie stands out within the Icelandic production landscape. An explosive fusion of European and American influences, the series distinguishes itself through its tight rhythm, its surprising action scenes and its great attention to character psychology. Light years away from the stereotypes associated with both the culinary world and crime, Reykjavík Fusion follows the misadventures of an anti-hero ready to do anything to fulfil a dream which gradually turns into a nightmare. Despite the shame he feels about his conviction and his fear of losing control of the situation as he’s drawn ever-deeper into the violence of an unknown criminal world, the protagonist never loses his humanity. Incredibly moving for his fragility, Jónas has no desire to become the new Godfather: what he really wants is to regain some stability amidst the crushing chaos. Packed full of twists, laugh-out-loud moments and tenderness, Reykjavík Fusion reveals an Iceland far removed from clichés: fascinating and mysterious but not devoid of violence. Viewers need only sit back and let themselves be swept away by the action.

Reykjavík Fusion was produced by ACT4 with Arte France and is sold internationally by The MediaPro Studio Distribution.