While packaging and premise suggest a nature/extreme water-sports feature, that is only half the story here (even less than half). Most of Oskar Pall Sveinsson's film concerns a Scandinavian man's long road to transitioning to a female, framed by an epic kayak journey (or, more cynical viewers might say, stunt) that serves practically as an LGBTQ metaphor among the scenic fjords.
At age 44, Veiga Grétarsdóttir attempts to paddle solo around Iceland, a distance of some 2,000 kilometers and an effort of months; it literally goes against the prevailing current. Speaking of which...Veiga actually was born Veigar, a male. Despite an outgoing, outdoorsy upbringing, a marriage, and children, the young Veigar started wearing clothing from the ladies-ware section and ultimately concluded that he was intrinsically a woman. Fortunately, medical science in Norway and Iceland provides the necessary surgery and hormone treatments, and Viegar becomes Viega.
Sometimes the recollections of Viega's transition—especially from a wounded ex-wife —paint a less-than-flattering picture of the protagonist. Still, the former spouse is there, with their daughter and other supportive family members, cheering Viega on for the closing paddle-strokes. One is informed that ultra-machismo (of which a milestone kayak trip may be a component) and obsessive jealousy are often elements in a transgender life arc.
The controversy of former males competing as women in sports, and excelling due to natural body strength, is never mentioned but does come to mind with the observation of Viega's superior stamina and musculature prevailing through the Arctic tides. Surgery is described but not explicitly shown, though we kibbitz in an over-the-shoulder shot revealing one attending physician wearing a Wonder Woman smock.
The visuals are, of course, stunning. With crossover appeal in the travel, transgender, and outdoor-adventure genres, the title is recommended. Buyers should note the existence of another 2021 American oceangoing-activist documentary, also entitled Against the Current, in the marketplace. Aud: C, P.