Last night I watched Criterion's new Janus Films release of
GODLAND [2022] from Icelandic director Hylnur Palmason, a 143 minute study of a Priest who in the late nineteenth century sought to establish a church on the barren, remote southeastern Icelandic coast. In lieu of sailing to the island, Father Lucas chose to trek to the location with his box camera and capture the landscape and rugged denizens through photographs, never realizing the perilous journey would almost cost him his life. The images and immersive sparse sound design are stunning and Godland was photographed as if through the image Lucas observed through the lens of his primitive box camera [example below of actual screen image].
Criterion includes only a recent 17 minute interview with director Palmason who explains his approach to his sprawling meditation on religion, the insanity of a fragile being in search of fulfilling an almost impossible ambition and the psychological hardships endured along the way.
[1080p/DTS~HD MA 5.1/Aspect ratio: as shown below] Recommended .....
