Written and Directed by Hlynur Pálmason
Starring Elliott Crosset Hove, Ingvar E. Sigurõsson, Jacob Lohmann, Hilmar Guðjónsson, Vic Carmen Sonne, and Ída Mekkín Hlynsdóttir

If becoming a Priest in the late 19th century is your chosen path in life and an early assignment granted to you involves helping to erect a church surrounded by stunning landscapes, then that must be a most blessed work holiday per se, right?

Before the building can even begin, young Lutheran clergyman Lucas (Elliott Crosset Hove) needs to make his way to remote Iceland (which was actually remote Danish territory at the time this film is set) from Denmark. After some travel by sea vessel, Lucas continues his journey on land in hope to better acquaint himself with the people and the terrain. Accompanied by a translator (Hilmar Guðjónsson) and a guide (Ingvar E. Sigurõsson), Lucas is first punished for his naivety as he struggles greatly with the harsh conditions and the dangerous and rugged landscape. In addition, there is time pressure incurred to have this church completed before a brutal Winter arrives.

The assignment is now sounding as idyllic as it is achievable, right?

Well, if his God’s creations weren’t making the arduous assignment challenging enough on their own, then the inhabitants of the small settlement might just push him beyond breaking point.

Godland consumes much of its 143 minute run time on Lucas’ trek. Though there are definitely some important establishments made throughout, this film’s unrelenting attention to minute detail and very gradual pacing will test the patience of many viewers. To this point in the movie, I found the characterisation and narrative to be thin and could only observe a theme of how the environment we’re in can challenge and completely change us. Perhaps it didn’t help to be watching this film with its setting in almost 4D experience given how cold it was in the studio theatre! Now, this next detail is the type I would ordinarily spare you from but given its significance to proceedings and my verdict of the film, I shall mention. I promise though, still not a spoiler. It wasn’t until sometime after Lucas’ arrival at the settlement that I realised and wished that more time had been devoted here and less to the journey. His presence provokes varying reactions from the locals that unearths compelling characterisation and baptises Godland with stirring plot development, almost making the film born again! I’d like to elaborate a little on that, but just in case you’re now curious enough to find out more about those reactions and how they impact Lucas’ church-building chore, I will leave it at that. Instead, I’ll finish by stating these later mentioned components and the film’s beautiful imagery can help to forgive Godland of any transgressions, even if its central character remains under-developed and the film leaves some unanswered questions.

Godland is showing in selected cinemas across Australia from August 17th.

Moviedoc thanks Palace Films for the invite to the screening of this film.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

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