Nightshift

Sagafilm presents the Icelandic comedy-drama Nightshift, directed by Ragnar Bragason. This 12 part series was a massive hit when it launched on Channel 2 in Iceland in September 2007, with ratings through the roof in just a matter of weeks, immediately becoming the must-see program of the season.

Nightshift deals with a trio of hapless employees at a quiet gas station in Reykjavik City. They pass the time during the cold, Icelandic winter nights, avoid work and terrorize the few customers that pass by with their eccentric behaviour.

The station manager, Georg Bjarnfredarson, is the archetypical, over-educated communist, holding an impressive number of University degrees and grabbing any chance he can to emphasize this fact. He lives by a strict set of rules of his own invention, mostly involving weird dietary regulations and anti-capitalist propaganda. The fact that a man of his qualifications is working at a gas station has instilled an inordinate amount of bitterness in him. His underling is Olafur Ragnar. A man-child, lost in his dreams of being a manager for a successful band, constantly chasing down anything that glitters and emulating faux pop culture coolness. He is a slacker and dreamer with no hope, but means well. Into this environment comes Daniel, a medical school dropout that is slowly severing all ties with his family. He's lost and depressed and has no idea what he wants to do with his life.

In an off kilter way Nightshift deals with a hotbed of social issues, ranging from immigration and politics to women's right and fame, all through characters that are rampaging their way to self destruction...in a funny way though.

At the 2007 Edda Awards (the Icelandic Oscars), Nightshift received awards for Best Television Show and Most Popular Television Show of the year.

Production company: Sagafilm
Commissioned by: Channel 2 Iceland
First Broadcast: Iceland
Genre: Comedy drama

Episodes available: Season 1: 12 x 60
Format available: Yes