Acclaimed Icelandic filmmaker Baltasar Kormákur, known for his gripping survival thrillers such as 2012’s The Deep, 2015’s Everest, and 2022’s Beast, showcases a different side of his directorial prowess with his latest feature, TOUCH. This heartfelt romance is a testament to Kormákur’s versatility and his adept handling of human drama.
TOUCH narrates the poignant journey of Kristofer, an Icelandic restaurateur living alone after his wife’s death. Kristofer’s life takes a dramatic turn when he receives an early-stage dementia diagnosis amidst the unsettling outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. His world starts to shrink, and the urgency to revisit the past becomes imperative.
Haunted by the abrupt disappearance of his youthful love, Miko, Kristofer embarks on a life-altering quest. Miko, a co-worker at a Japanese restaurant in London where Kristofer worked as a student, had vanished at the height of their whirlwind affair, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and a longing that has survived the test of time. As panic about the virus spreads around the world, Kristofer resolves to follow her trail—wherever it might lead.
This determination sets him on a globe-trotting journey, undeterred by the closing international borders due to the pandemic. The trail might even lead back to Miko’s birthplace of Hiroshima. With his memories fading, Kristofer’s quest is not just to find Miko, but also to reclaim the pieces of his past before they are lost forever in the fog of his illness.
Kormákur’s TOUCH is based on the best-selling novel Snerting by author Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson. After reading the book in a single sitting, Kormákur was so moved by the unique, thrilling, intense, and sensual love story that he immediately decided to adapt it into a film. Recognizing the book’s potential for a compelling narrative, Kormákur reached out to Ólafsson, inviting him to collaborate on the adaptation. The author’s involvement ensured the draft retained all the compelling elements that had made the book so memorable.
Produced through his RVK Studios banner with Agnes Johansen, Kormákur sought additional partners to bring this tale to life on the big screen. Producer Mike Goodridge, upon reading the screenplay for TOUCH, was so moved that he pledged his support to the project. He found the story unique and emotional, and he knew immediately that they could get this film made.
TOUCH is more than just a film; it’s a journey across borders and through time. It’s a testament to enduring love and the human spirit’s resilience. It is a beautifully realized story that explores the complexities of love and the unbreakable bonds that can tether two people through the ages.
The movie is set to arrive in U.S. theaters on July 12, 2024. TOUCH promises to be a beautifully observed, magnificently crafted globe-spanning tale that explores love’s complexities and the unbreakable bonds that persist through the ages. From the mind and lens of one of the most revered Icelandic filmmakers, Baltasar Kormákur, TOUCH is a film you won’t want to miss.
