Godland (Hlynur Pálmason)

[wilder]

In the late 19th century, a young Danish priest travels to a remote part of Iceland to build a church and photograph its people. But the deeper he goes into the unforgiving landscape, the more he strays from his purpose, the mission and morality.

Written and Directed by Hlynur Pálmason (A White, White Day, Winter Brothers)
Release Date - In theaters in New York on February 3, 2023 / Los Angeles on February 10, 2023. Being distributed by Janus Films.

Janus Films plans a theatrical release to be followed by a Criterion Channel streaming premiere.

[wilder]

On Criterion Channel June 20th

[WorldForgot]

By coincidence, in the month-ish between watching A White, White Day and this film I saw Aguirre, the Wrath of God. This film's first half might be tipping its hat toward that film, or I had just been too fresh on an 'expedition into madness' arc. That's script, and that's mood, and PTA heads will find echoes of TWBB to trace, too, but Pálmason's cinema iz distinct.

A White, White Day and Godland share a sense of humor that can't be spoiled through text. It relies on the tension surrounding it. Violence looms around the quiet vales and children, daugthers (pertinent for Pálmason's dedications), are keen. Can't be lied to even when lying.

Really dug Godland's dual-nation approach. Language and identity in its script gives equal share to Danes and Icelanders.