No. 8 (2021) CORPUS CHRISTI (BOZE CIALO) January 28th.

 

Film No. 8 (2021)  January 28th.  6:45 PM.  Cinema 8  LUNA Leederville.

"Sometimes we think; this can't be God's plan".(Daniel's prison mentor talks to Daniel of the small lessons to be learned in committing to faith in God).

In a very few years Bartosz Bielenia has become one of Poland's leading actors. His performance as "lay-preacher" Daniel in the Academy Award nominated Corpus Christi in no small way enhances his current standing. In this powerful comment on violence, religion, untruths, hypocrisy and ultimately the power of respect for human kind, Bielenia leaves an indelible impression.

 

A series of sliding door moments lead a small Polish rural town, grieving the recent deaths of several locals in a tragic accident, to inherit a new "priest". Daniel has deceived the town but given his dedication to the Catholic  faith he makes his mark. His empathetic actions towards the marginalized in this town asks questions about belief and man's care for fellow man. He gains a following.

His test comes when the prejudices of others rear. Rumour and innuendo over the accident has people believing a fact that isn't necessarily true. Daniel is committed to lead this community towards righteousness. Daniel has made an impact but the ultimate irony is that he is a fraud. He is betrayed by an adversary, his cover is blown, he is not qualified to preach. Which begs the question Corpus Christi asks; is he?

Corpus Christi is based on real events. What story of substance isn't these days? Is there a happy ending to this powerful social drama or does the human spirit get a lift through Daniel's passion to show how people should live with one another? Back to Bielenia; cinema has the power to impress a message via aesthetics. The angelic force Bartosz brings to Daniel is unforgettable. 10GUMS.