In the late 19th century, Denmark regards Iceland as its territory, which extends beyond matters of geography and governance, to the spiritual health of the islands population. Lucas, a Lutheran priest, is sent by the Church of Denmark to establish a parish in Iceland. Ever an optimist, Lucas believes his faith will guide him, even when he is warned of the obstacles he faces; not just an unforgiving landscape and a climate that veers between permanent sunlight in summer and biting cold in winter, but a people who may be less than welcoming. It's exactly what he encounters in Ragnar, his guide. Basic communication between the two - one speaks Danish, the other Icelandic - soon descends into bitterness and rivalry, while another islander, Carl sends out mixed messages, leaving Lucas to wonder if his presence is to help or hinder. But it's the terrain that proves the greatest challenge to the priest. Barren, exposed to the elements and hostile to any inhabitant, it begs Lucas to ask, if there is a god, have they forsaken this place?
