Weekender Encore: Icelandic Dramedy 'Odd Fish' Surfaces at Jarvis Conservatory

By Tim Carl

May 02, 2025

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NAPA VALLEY, Calif. — The Jarvis Conservatory will host a special international screening on Saturday, May 17, as part of the ongoing International Film Showcase series. The film, "Odd Fish" — a tender, funny and quietly provocative story from Iceland — will be shown at both 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., continuing the nonprofit’s mission of bringing lesser-seen high-quality foreign films to California audiences.

“All I’m saying is, give it a shot. Maybe you’ll discover something special.” — Efi Lubline

Directed by Snævar Sölvason, "Odd Fish" follows two childhood friends, Hjalti and Björn, who run a small seafood restaurant in a remote Icelandic town. They share a dream of turning their seasonal business into a year-round venture. But when Björn shares her long-hidden truth — that she is a transgender woman and will now live as Birna — their friendship is tested. Set against Iceland’s stark and luminous backdrop, the film balances humor with heart, exploring themes of loyalty, identity and the courage it takes to be yourself.

“It’s a dramedy,” said Efi Lubliner, co-founder of the International Film Showcase. “There are dramatic moments and touching scenes but also many that will make you smile. It’s about transformation and how relationships evolve when truth enters the room.”

The showcase, founded in 2010 by Lubliner and JoAlice Canterbury, has spent the last 15 years introducing acclaimed international films to audiences in Orinda, Napa and Palm Springs. A longtime fixture at the Palm Springs Film Festival, Lubliner grew tired of watching excellent foreign films disappear without U.S. theatrical releases.

That mission brought them to the Jarvis Conservatory in Napa eight years ago.

“My daughter has lived in Napa for over two decades,” Lubliner said. “When I moved here, I wanted to bring these stories to this community — and the Jarvis Conservatory has been generous enough to support our efforts.”

While international cinema isn’t the conservatory’s central focus, the Jarvis family has long supported projects that enrich Napa’s cultural life in meaningful ways.

“While 'Odd Fish' does not align with the conservatory’s primary focus on the classical performing arts, on occasion we include non-conventional films that are unlikely to be seen through mainstream channels,” Leticia Jarvis said. “This film is a study on relationships that explores a topical and controversial real-world issue, while also standing alone on its artistic merits.”

Each showing includes a short introduction from the showcase team (though Lubliner will be out of town this time) and often draws repeat attendees — filmgoers who have come to trust the showcase’s curatorial eye.

“This isn’t a ‘Hollywood’ film,” Lubliner said. “We don’t do blockbusters. We do human stories — from every part of the world.”

For Napa audiences, the Jarvis screenings have become a kind of monthly ritual. Held in a jewel-box theater tucked just off Main Street, the venue is known for its pristine sound system, spotless interior and classical design — complete with a small balcony and velvet-curtained stage.

“People who come for the first time are often surprised a place like this exists in Napa,” Lubliner said. “Yes, there are snacks and popcorn, but this isn’t a sticky-floor megaplex. It’s a real theater, run with care.”

Audiences are also part of the experience. The showcase encourages post-film feedback and regularly collects reviews, ratings and comments from viewers to help guide future selections. Many who attend return month after month, forming a loose but loyal community of cinema-lovers.

“So many remarkable films are made outside the U.S., but most never reach our theaters,” Lubliner said. “That’s a shame because they often deal with the same issues we face here — discrimination, hate, manipulation. We show them because they have artistic, educational and emotional value. And we’re lucky to have a place like the Jarvis Conservatory to share them with the community.”

"Odd Fish" had its international debut last year and has already garnered recognition at several film festivals for its sensitive portrayal of gender identity and friendship. Its U.S. theatrical run will begin with the showcase — first in Orinda, then Napa and finally Palm Springs.

“All I’m saying is, give it a shot,” Lubliner said. “Maybe you’ll discover something special.”

"Odd Fish" plays Saturday, May 17, at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Jarvis Conservatory, 1711 Main St. in Napa. Tickets are $15. For more details, visit their website.

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