Godland 2023

Lucas travels to Iceland to establish a Danish church

In the late 19th century, Danish priest Lucas is tasked with traveling to Iceland to build a church for a Danish settlement. He brings a camera to document the land and travels by boat with Icelandic laborers and a translator who becomes his only ally. They meet their guide Ragnar, who distrusts Danes from the start.

Dangerous river crossing and the translator's death

While crossing a deep river against Ragnar's warnings, Lucas pushes forward. The translator and a large cross fall from their horses into the water, and the translator drowns. The group buries him in a shallow grave, which is soon unearthed by the rising tide, intensifying Lucas's grief.

Lucas sinks into grief and fatigue

Grief-stricken, Lucas withdraws and prays for a return to Denmark. He faints from exhaustion and is carried on a makeshift stretcher by the others. The struggle foreshadows the strain the journey has placed on him and his relation to the group.

Arrival at the settlement and nursing care

The group reaches the settlement where Lucas is nursed back to health by Carl and his daughters Anna and Ida. The locals begin to see him as part of the project, though Ragnar remains wary of the Danes. Lucas starts to inhabit the community despite the tension.

The church begins and wedding traditions emerge; Lucas refuses a ceremony

As the village begins preparing the church, ceremonies occur within its growing walls. When a couple marries, Lucas refuses to perform the ceremony because the church is unfinished. The moment highlights his conflicted faith and sense of duty.

Wedding reception and wrestling duel

During the wedding reception, traditional wrestling games are played. Carl challenges Lucas, who wins, and is then forced to fight Ragnar. The tense confrontation underscores the rift between the Danes and the locals and between Lucas and Ragnar.

Lucas befriends Ida and grows a bond with Anna; the horse disappears

Lucas develops a friendship with Ida and becomes attracted to Anna, creating a complicated dynamic. In a troubling turn, Lucas's horse goes missing and is later shown to be dead, foreshadowing further turmoil in his life at the settlement.

Completion of the church; Ragnar seeks a photo

When the church is completed, Ragnar confronts Lucas outside the village and asks for a photo to be taken before he leaves. Lucas refuses the request and insults Ragnar in return. Ragnar confesses in Danish that he killed Lucas's horse, heightening the feud.

Lucas's assault and the murder of Ragnar

Lucas snaps after Ragnar's confession and attacks him, bashing Ragnar's head against the rocks and killing him. He then returns to Anna, discards his camera equipment, and the two have sex, intensifying the emotional stakes of the story.

Carl's warning and Lucas's flight

In the aftermath, Carl warns Anna not to become involved with Lucas. Lucas steals one of Ida's horses and flees, signaling his unraveling and the danger his passion and rage pose to others.

Pursuit and final confrontation

Carl pursues Lucas, determined to prevent further harm, and eventually catches up to him. He stabs Lucas to death, saying that everyone will believe he simply fell off the horse. The act closes Lucas's violent arc and restores a grim order to the settlement.