Godland

Set in the late 19th century, Danish Lutheran priest Lucas is sent to Iceland in order to set up a parish.
Full of self-belief and convinced of his moral purpose, he travels by the most treacherous route to be able to
document the land with a cumbersome plate camera during his journey. Guided by disdainful locals and a dangerous, austere landscape, this beautifully photographed Nordic drama is in the Bergman tradition, with its story of a man on a singular mission tested to extremes.

‘Overpoweringly beautiful’  The Irish Times, ‘Magnificent’  ‘The Guardian, ‘Stunningly shot’   The Times.

A:  

Stunning scenery, a character in its own right. Interiors like paintings. Beautiful soundtrack. (A)
Beautiful and terrible (A)  From sphagnum moss to testosterone…. I prefer the former. (A)
Extraordinary film (A)  A very dark tale with amazing photography.(A)  Great film! (A)   

B:

A cinematographic beauty, very dark but funny and tragic, like a lot of ordinary life! (B) 
Stunning scenery. (B)  Not sure what to do now!! (B)  Disintegration (B) 
Great cinematography & acting, well demonstrated the futility of missionary work (B) 
Wonderful photography. The landscape is the star, putting humanity in perspective. (B)
Visually stunning –  tense + engaging. (B)   Where are horses? A terrible & beautiful film – I thought the journey would never end. So did Lucas…. (B)   Wonderful filming but too long (B)  More cryptic than a cryptic crossword clue! (B)
An intriguing story – beautifully presented (B)  (Need to reflect more!) But loved the landscape, Iceland is the amazing – the main character of the film (B)  Visually stunning & atmospheric. A powerful, gripping & memorable film. Imagery that will stay with you.(B) 

 C:  

Stunning visually. The beauty & hardness of the landscape reflecting the beauty & hardness of the life and death of those living there. (C)        Odd! (C)    Tedious. Disappointed the pictures that inspired the film weren’t shown. (C) Stunning scenery. (C) 

D:

More like Godless Land (D)      Slow but some fantastic photography. (D)  Should have been called Godforsaken Land! (D)   Visually stunning, otherwise tedious (D) Great photography but story spoilt by gaps never adequately suggested. (D)   Mystifying, deeply depressing (D)   Could have been better. Disappointing (D)     Magnificent landscapes but far too slow and long (D)

E:   

A struggle all the way through. Which might….. have been the point. (E)   

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