Set against the spectacular landscape of Iceland, The Seer and the Unseen is a “magical realist” documentary about invisible elves, financial collapse and the surprising power of belief. The documentary follows Ragnhildur “Ragga” Jónsdóttir, a grandmother and “seer” who has the ability to communicate directly with a parallel realm of elves, or huldufólk (hidden people) – invisible spirits of nature that more than half of Iceland believes in. As one of the country’s most respected seers, Ragga is hired by government officials, businesses and individuals to consult the elves to learn where they can and cannot develop land. But when Ragga is called upon to be the elves’ “Lorax” and speak on behalf of nature under threat, she begins a journey to protect an ecologically important lava field set to be razed by road construction – just one of the many needless projects in the wake of Iceland’s financial meltdown in 2008, driven by the “invisible hand of the free market.” Through Ragga’s story, The Seer and the Unseen explores the invisible forces – be they elves or the market – that shape our world and transform our natural landscapes. In doing so, the film reveals not only what is worth seeing, but what is worth saving.  Director: Sara Dosa (Iceland 2019) 85 min.