7.10.2003
Pro or Anti Catholic? |
El Crimen del Padre Amaro (The Crime of Padre Amaro)
Starring: Gael Garcia Bernal, Ana Claudia Talancon Directed by: Carlos Carrera This movie is so thought-provoking that it had limited theatre engagements in predominantly Catholic-countries, which included the Philippines. Very relevant with today's headlines screaming of offenses by Catholic priests or lay ministers linked to the Catholic religion, this VCD/DVD release might be gone from the stands before we know it. Although the movie tried to create a balance, showing the pros and cons of Catholicsm, it failed, as the offenses that were shown were more visual. It depicted Catholicism as opening up to its Liberation Theology (Padre Natalio helping the mountainfolk to defend themselves and to have decent work more than just reading to them the scripture) or helping put up a major hospital from donations (regardless of its source) for the sake of the majority. The crime of Padre Amaro was that he pushed his limits and wasn't able to control his human desires. Temptation for him was avoidable (but with the beautiful Tarancon, maybe not) but he never really put up a fight. The film was in Mexican/Spanish and it was like watching your telenovelas once again with a different type of love, outlawed and more than that - despicable to many's eyes. |