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Against the Current

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Against the Current

Released Jun 25, 2021

1h 27m

Documentary

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10 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

How far do you have to travel to find yourself? And what sacrifices are you willing to make to get there? Veiga Grétarsdóttir is the first person in the world to attempt to kayak over 2,000 kilometers around Iceland, counter-clockwise and "against the current." This achievement has been said to be comparable to climbing the mountain K2. Veiga's personal journey is no less remarkable. She was born 44 years ago as a boy in a fishing village on the far west coast of Iceland. Veigar had a wife and family but decided that she could no longer live as a man, and at the age of 38, decided to undergo gender reassignment. The inner struggle for Veigar to become Veiga was a journey as difficult if not more so than the solo kayak expedition she undertakes. These two stories of conflict and struggle are intertwined as the film follows her amazing 103 day journey around Iceland, with the magical, rugged coastline of the country a backdrop to the story of Veiga's transition.

Michael Ordoña

Los Angeles Times

"Against the Current" is a gem. It's gorgeous in many ways.

Jun 24, 2021

Full Review

Kristen Yoonsoo Kim

New York Times

"Against the Current" feels cliché even with an intriguing subject.

Jun 24, 2021

Full Review

Diego Semerene

Slant Magazine

Against the Current's style imposes a generic visual language onto a subject who's anything but generic.

Rated: 2/4

Jun 22, 2021

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Jose Solís

Common Sense Media

As a proud member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska (also known as UmonHon), she takes viewers into the heart of her community with Against the Current, which she filmed and directed.

Apr 30, 2025

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Olivia Popp

Vague Visages

Sveinsson's "Against the Current" defines itself as an idiosyncratic, deeply personal character study of a remarkable woman, who the world eagerly waits upon to see what she accomplishes next.

Feb 16, 2022

Full Review

Todd Jorgenson

Cinemalogue

...doesn't always fit together seamlessly, but the result is a powerful look and transformation and acceptance, along with an impressive feat of physical endurance.

Jan 28, 2022

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brent m

To truly prove ourselves, sometimes we must pursue goals that are seriously over the top, quests that most of us would view as seemingly impossible, possibly even foolhardy. So it was for Icelandic kayaker Veiga Gretarsdottir when this courageous transgender athlete decided to circumnavigate her island home by traveling counterclockwise, going against the current. When asked why she would undertake such a dangerous and potentially deadly venture, she replied that she had been going against the current all of her life and that this felt like something she needed to do to help raise awareness for the transgender community and organizations that support it. What resulted from this 103-day endeavor, as chronicled in director Oskar Pall Sveinsson's sensitive and gorgeously filmed documentary, is a journey of self-discovery in multiple fronts -- and one not limited to the waters off the coast of Iceland. This offering is an inspiring and uplifting piece of filmmaking, one sure to stir the spirit, tug at the heart and encourage us to fulfill potential we never knew we had.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Óskar Páll Sveinsson

Director

Óskar Páll Sveinsson

Director

Veiga Grétarsdóttir

Actor

Petur Einarsson

Producer

Kristín Ólafsdóttir

Producer

Óskar Páll Sveinsson

Cinematographer

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Against the Current: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

How far do you have to travel to find yourself? And what sacrifices are you willing to make to get there? Veiga Grétarsdóttir is the first person in the world to attempt to kayak over 2,000 kilometers around Iceland, counter-clockwise and "against the current." This achievement has been said to be comparable to climbing the mountain K2. Veiga's personal journey is no less remarkable. She was born 44 years ago as a boy in a fishing village on the far west coast of Iceland. Veigar had a wife and family but decided that she could no longer live as a man, and at the age of 38, decided to undergo gender reassignment. The inner struggle for Veigar to become Veiga was a journey as difficult if not more so than the solo kayak expedition she undertakes. These two stories of conflict and struggle are intertwined as the film follows her amazing 103 day journey around Iceland, with the magical, rugged coastline of the country a backdrop to the story of Veiga's transition.

Director: Óskar Páll Sveinsson, Óskar Páll Sveinsson
Producer: Petur Einarsson, Kristín Ólafsdóttir
Screenwriter: Margrét Örnólfsdóttir
Distributor: Zeitgeist Films
Production Co: P/E Productions, Klikk Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: Icelandic
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 25, 2021, Limited
Runtime: 1h 27m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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