The film was selected as the Icelandic entry for the Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 85th Academy Awards,[1] making the January shortlist.

[2] It was also nominated for the 2013 Nordic Council Film Prize.

The film is based on the true story of Guðlaugur Friðþórsson, a fisherman who survived in the freezing ocean after his boat capsized off the south coast of Iceland.

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 94% approval rating, based on 31 reviews with an average rating of 6.6/10.

[3] Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian wrote "The mystery of an Icelandic man who survived icy seas for six hours makes for an intriguing drama".