Synopsis

Seemingly impervious to the perpetual darkness of winter, woodcutter Pepe radiates a cheery disposition to friends and family alike in the picturesque northern Finnish town where he lives. His resolve is tested, though, when a series of cataclysmic events begin to upend his life and throw his family into chaos. But even amid the turmoil, his optimism wins out. Anchored by a riotously deadpan lead performance and a wild cast of characters (including a child barber, a singing psychic, and a talking fish), the film is an absurd, hilarious fable that grows increasingly surreal minute by minute. Despite all the craziness swirling about in the Finnish winter, one must imagine Pepe happy.

Synopsis

In the late 19th century, arrogant if naïve Danish priest Lucas travels to Iceland, then a colony of Denmark, to establish a remote parish for homesteaders and convert the locals to Christianity. To reach his outpost, Lucas must traverse the harsh foreign landscape—a grueling journey for which he is decidedly ill-suited. Although local guide Ragnar has been hired to ensure the entourage’s safe passage, Lucas can’t help but treat the Icelander with contempt. Recalling the grand thematics, foreboding landscapes, and existential angst in the best work of Werner Herzog and Ingmar Bergman, the film builds to an inexorable clash between the imperious outsider and the wary locals. Inspired by a collection of wet plate photographs of rural Iceland taken by a priest in the late 1800s, Godland is a forceful, inspired critique of the destructive impact of the colonial endeavor.

Winner

58th Chicago International Film Festival Gold Hugo and Silver Hugo: Best Cinematography. Learn more…

Synopsis

In this haunting tale of love, deceit, and forgiveness, Alma is a novice living a secluded life in a convent. As she is preparing to take her perpetual vows to become a nun, her estranged brother Erik comes knocking. After a stint in prison, the emotionally wrecked recovering alcoholic wants to claim what is rightfully his—a share of the family inheritance, which Alma has already gifted to the order. When it becomes clear that Erik wants to extract more from her than money, Alma must decide how far she is willing to go to ensure his silence and keep their dark shared history from coming to light. Dynamic, commanding performances by Kristine Kujath Thorp (Ninjababy) and Elliott Crosset Hove (Godland) propel this tension-filled drama toward an explosive conclusion.

Winner

58th Chicago International Film Festival Roger Ebert Award. Learn more…