God's Own Country

Translated from swedish: Francis Lee, alongside his exceptional cinematographer Joshua James, has captured the stark beauty of Yorkshire's countryside and the harsh conditions faced by small-scale farmers. Nothing is left to the imagination, and it's refreshingly honest. Animal births, calf carcasses, manure channels, and sheep diseases are portrayed naturally. There are no sappy romantic euphemisms to create illusions that life isn't as merciless as it truly is. But surprise strikes when a few warm rays manage to reach frozen, locked emotional landscapes, thawing and liberating what was thought to be hopeless and merely awaiting its demise. This is grand and beautiful visual poetry.
- Jan-Eje Ferling

Swedish: filmeye.se »

Translated from swedish: Director Francis Lee has based parts of the film's story on his own experiences – and even filmed many of the scenes on his own father's farm and in the areas where he grew up. And you can really feel that authentic foundation. Lee truly captures what's genuine in the story – not just the bittersweetly picturesque settings, but also, and most importantly, the tender love that develops between the two men feels real in a way that few manage to pull off as well as this.
- Patrik Linderholm

Swedish: moviezine.se »

Translated from swedish: Francis Lee's feature film debut delivers an intimate and raw portrayal of blazing passion in the northern English countryside.
- Helena Lindblad

Swedish: dn.se »

Translated from swedish: The camera gets closer to the people, the mud, the harsh realities; more often down in the dirt than on the hilltops. The perspective is, so to speak, local, which makes it even more striking. The dialogue is also wonderfully rough and sparse. Here, the acting is done with body and soul instead, and these are truly brilliant performances from everyone involved. Francis Lee has said he wants to let the images speak. It would be an understatement to say he has succeeded.
- Fredrik Sahlin

Swedish: svt.se »

Translated from swedish: "God's Own Country" is a film that finds its own identity in total presence, in the genuinely intimate way it looks at the landscape and the work with animals. But also in the glances and touches between the two men trying to find tenderness amid the harsh surroundings, intimacy behind the repressed masculinity. And then the tough naturalism transforms into a captivating, almost irresistible love story.
- Roger Wilson

Swedish: sverigesradio.se »

Translated from swedish: In "God's Own Country", Francis Lee tells a powerful and moving story of love, courage, and vulnerability. The skillful direction combined with well-performed characters and idyllic settings gives us one of the year's finest romantic films that strikes right to the heart.
- Oscar Vilhelmsson

Swedish: filmtopp.se »

Translated from swedish: Through subtle means and sparse dialogue, a beautiful story is crafted - it's gritty, raw, and amid it all, glimpses of warmth shine through toward both people and animals.
- Cecilia Alstermark

Swedish: arbetet.se »

Translated from swedish: Powerful love story with distinctive visual storytelling.
- Rosemari Södergren

Swedish: kulturbloggen.com »

Translated from swedish: "God's Own Country" is a raw and beautiful film about homosexuality and inherited expectations.
- Björn Jansson

Swedish: sverigesradio.se »

Translated from swedish: "God's Own Country" is about finding your place in the world, just like the little lamb, about becoming who you're meant to be with a little help along the way. For Johnny, it takes time. And for all the romantics out there, following his journey becomes deeply satisfying.
- Miranda Sigander

Swedish: Corren »

Translated from swedish: "God's Own Country" isn't a masterpiece - it's too small a film overall - but it's endearing and quite impressive as an indie effort.
- Fredrik Fyhr

Swedish: fredrikfyhr.se »

Translated from swedish: Achingly filthy about love and a throbbing desire
- Jan Söderqvist

Swedish: svd.se »

Translated from swedish: The acclaimed and award-winning "God's Own Country" is a blend of gloomy social realism and a warm, bright, and hopeful love story. Director Francis Lee succeeds best with the latter. With a sensuality and attention to detail not unlike director Andrea Arnold, he captures how the attraction between Johnny and Gheorghe evolves from physical to emotional. Facial expressions, glances, fingertips touching, intimacy and passionate sex. It's impossible not to be moved, yet there's something slightly stale about the idea of an exotic, poorer and warmer other who is tender and caring, wants to kiss on the mouth instead of having quick sex, is content with simple things and talks about sun and spring and how beautiful the landscape is.
- Emma Gray Munthe

Swedish: aftonbladet.se »

Translated from swedish: Nobody should think they're hot shit in rural Yorkshire where Frances Lee's feature film debut "God's Own Country" takes place.
- Malin Krutmeijer

Swedish: sydsvenskan.se »