Icelandic film about colonialism and faith Criticism of colonialism is one of the most significant topics of modern socio-political discourse and, consequently, cinema.
Many films touch on this topic, although they do not manifest it as their main goal, for example, Predators, Forgiveness, Torment on the Islands. "The Land of God" is one of the most praised such projects.
This is a film by Icelandic director Hlınur Palmason, who became famous in 2019 with the film “White White Day”.
The Land of God takes viewers to the 19th century. A Danish priest travels to Iceland to organize a church. He is assigned an Icelander who knows the area and can build a church, an interpreter and several other workers.
This movie lasts almost two and a half hours. And although there is little happening and little is said, it is almost impossible to break away from viewing it. This is a very beautiful, hypnotic film. The directorship of Hlynur Palmason is rightly compared with Andrei Tarkovsky, Martin Scorsese and Werner Herzog.
Being an aesthetic feast, "Land of God" is not particularly worried about conveying its ideas and meanings to the viewer in a unique way. If you read what critics write about this picture, they all agree that the main character of this tape is a negative character. All his actions are interpreted as a manifestation of intolerance, rejection, pride and other vices. "Land of God" in this interpretation turns into the story of a malicious colonizer who does not want and cannot understand Iceland and the locals.
The main character is really difficult to call good. By the end of the film, it will be obvious. However, the “Land of God” does not seek to divide its heroes into representatives of evil and good. If you do not look for a malicious villain in a priest, but see him as an ordinary weak person, then this story will acquire much more meaning and contexts.
Although the film has a fairly high rating - 7.2 in IMDB - and rave reviews from critics, it is difficult to recommend for viewing. The land of God was too distant and atmospheric. But if you don’t have much experience watching movies about Iceland, then “Land of God” will definitely be an event for you. Similar Icelandic paintings amaze and fascinate with the magnificence of wildlife, desert territories, untalking characters and charming little horses.