Fact check: Is Touch 2024 based on a true story? Everything to know about the Icelandic romantic drama

Touch, an intriguing Icelandic romantic drama, released on July 12, has sparked curiosity among viewers about its origins. Directed by Baltasar Kormákur, the film released in early 2024 and is available for streaming on Netflix.

Due to its compelling story and cinematography, the film reflects a cross-cultural romance. This romantic drama is based on Ólafur Jóhann Ñlafsson's popular Icelandic novel, released in the US in August 2024.

Touch follows widower Kristofer, who develops dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic. To reconnect with his history, he travels from Reykjavik to London. Two timelines — 2020 and London's Swinging Sixties — tell the story. In Kristofer's recollections and epidemic struggles, this Icelandic romantic drama addresses love, loss and time.

The plot of this romantic drama centers around Kristofer's quest to find Miko, his long-lost love from his youth. Kristofer, played by Palmi Kormakur, meets Miko at her father's Japanese restaurant in London.

Their romance faces many challenges. Whether the older Kristofer will find Miko again or not, leaves the audience awaiting.

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Is Touch 2024 inspired by a True Story?

Based on Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson's novel, the screenplay is co-written with director Baltasar Kormákur. The story is fictional, but it's based on real emotions and historical events, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic and Swinging Sixties London.

Kristofer, played by Egill Olafsson, is a former restaurant owner who sets out to rediscover his past. He's a lonely man living on the cold Icelandic coast after his wife's death.

He spends his days singing in a men's choir, communicating with his demanding daughter Sonja (Harpa Elísa Þórsdóttir), running a restaurant in his quiet village, and returning to his empty home.

He visits his doctor about minor memory issues and learns he has early-stage Alzheimer's and must organize his affairs before it's too late, so a lifelong journey begins.

The search for memories deeply connects with audiences. The film's depiction of the pandemic enhances its reliability amidst the worldwide pandemic. Kristofer's hardships can be felt by numerous individuals throughout this period.

Touch 2024 (Image via Focus Features)

In the flashback sequences, the young Kristofer's experiences in London are vividly depicted. His interactions with Miko and her family provide a window into the cultural exchanges and tensions of the time.

Miko, played by Kōki, is a complex character whose history as a Hiroshima bombing survivor adds a significant emotional dimension to the story. The film delicately balances these historical elements with their fictional romance, creating a narrative that feels both authentic and engaging.

The storyline's mention of COVID-19 is notable. Besides setting the stage, the pandemic affects the plot and characters. Kristofer's journey during a global lockdown is complicated, adding to the film's tension and realism.

The scenes showing Kristofer's interactions with service workers and the pandemic are subtle and focus on the personal and emotional impact.

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The cast of Touch 2024

Egill Ólafsson stars as Kristófer, with Kōki as young Miko and Palmi Kormakur as young Kristófer.

Masahiro Motoki plays Takahashi-san, while Sigurdur Ingvarsson is Jónas. Yoko Narahashi portrays the older Miko. Masatoshi Nakamura appears as Kutaragi-san, with Meg Kubota as Hitomi and María Ellingsen as Inga. Eiji Mihara takes on the role of Dr. Kobayashi.

Theódór Júlíusson and Starkadur Petursson feature alongside Ruth Sheen as Mrs. Ellis. Benedikt Erlingsson plays Dr. Stefánsson, with Tatsuya Tagawa as Arai-San and Charles Nishikawa as Goto-San.

The film's emotional depth and visual storytelling come from Baltasar Kormákur's direction.

His previous films, Everest and Adrift, combined character-driven narratives with captivating visuals. He uses this skill to make Touch, a romantic drama, visually stunning and emotionally moving.

Touch, a stunning Icelandic romantic drama set in the COVID-19 pandemic and Swinging Sixties London, explores love, loss and memory. Despite being fictional, the film's emotional depth and historical context make it relatable.

Directed by Baltasar Kormákur and based on Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson's novel, it's a depiction of a timeless cross-cultural romance.