Godland – REVIEW
Image: GODLAND. Film still
Godland is a powerful, multi-award winning, Icelandic historical drama which should leave discerning moviegoers marvelling at the unbridled excellence of the production.
Set in the late 19th Century the story follows a Lutheran priest from Denmark named Lucas, who is traversing the vastly unexplored landscapes of Iceland by foot to build the first church in a small Danish community.
Accompanied by a small group of Icelandic helpers he quickly experiences prejudice from his guide who states, “We don’t need men like him – he’s a Danish devil!” The priest must carry on this problematic journey heightened by the emerging climactic changes, if he’s to arrive at his destination before the first snowfall.
Very quickly the near uncrossable nature of the rugged terrain, dangerous rivers and glaciers force this ‘man of the cloth’ to falter and question his faith. Should he return or persevere, possibly endangering the lives of all on the expedition?
Driven by his faith the group survive the adverse icy coldness and arrive, but Lucas is a changed man. He has lost his focus on the mission – and more importantly on reality. His reconnection with the community will put this priest’s religious values to the test – but murder and tragedy follow.
This highly crafted arthouse drama is aptly alternative viewing for niche audiences. It’s a sweeping epic tale of how one priest’s moral fibers are shattered when he encounters the natural climactic forces, ultimately destroying his resilience.
The director’s style in filmmaking is striking. Hlynur Palmason utilizes symbolic images and long lingering shots of picturesque landscapes. He holds long closeup shots of the actor’s faces to express the tension and freezes the camera on particular outdoor objects while filming them over the four seasons.
Visually stunning and arresting cinematography of volcanic activity and dangerous rivers also receive minutes of screen time – the breathtaking natural landscapes seemingly pivotal characters in the movie.
Audiences should gasp at the horrendous climatic conditions the filmmakers had to contend with while filming this minor gem, regarded as a masterpiece by many.
Godland is not a movie for mainstream audiences. It’s a movie for audiences who would like to experience a foreign movie produced by a visionary director who has a very unique style of filmmaking.
★★★★
In Cinemas August 17
