HeadlinesExotic Boring

ChanFamous I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Roman Sampson One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Jakoba True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

j-madej I must say I am impressed with this deep showcase of thought provoking Polish cinema, more so that considering the topic of the story, it was co-written and directed by a women filmmaker Malgorzata Szumowska. This meditative drama won Teddy Award for Best Feature Film at the 63rd Berlin Film Festival in 2013 which is quite impressive in itself. The story evolves around a Jesuit priest Adam (Andrzej Chyra) who runs a place in a village in rural Poland for teenagers with behavioral problems that need a strong Catholic guidance. He himself seems like a good honest man, yet we can sense that under the mask of control he hides deep seated loneliness and longing for human contact. As the film progresses it is getting clearer that father Adam hides from the world that in fact he is gay and the reason why he became a priest at age 21 in is to hide this fact from himself and others. To extend predictably he gets emotionally involved with one of the boys which eventually has it's consequences. Homosexuality or pedophilia in Catholic Church is very sensitive subject therefor it is an interesting fact that it took a female director to look at the story with enough distance and taste to not make it scandalous or obscene. In fact the way the story is told resembles every other heterosexual romantic story and that is exactly were the dramatic straight of this film is. Watching "In the name..." (Polish title W imie...) another movie with a similar subject comes to mind called "Priest" (1994) though this British drama was much more graphic and less tasteful. There is a huge character depth here and the fact is that for audience who are more use to action based movies it might be too slow and deep. However if you enjoy powerful subtly acted character driven dramas this might be a movie that you will enjoy. Me having a brother who is a high ranking Catholic priest back in Poland I always admired the sacrifice the 'man of God' go through in their celibacy. Inability to feel human touch and intimacy always made me admire them for the straight of their character to give up on our most natural impulses. On the other hand the repression of does impulses creates a longing that often ends in perpetual loneliness and heavy depression. In a nutshell this is what "In the name of..." is about, choosing the homoerotic angle as a form of narration and to some extent pointing to priesthood as an escape of homosexual man who can not face their own desires and choose a path of a moral dogmas Catholic faith provides. It is a slow film but beautifully shot by also co-writer of the script Michal Englert and superbly, subtly acted by by Polish actors Andrzej Chyra, Mateusz Kosciukiewicz, Lukasz Simlat and Polish actress Maja Ostaszewska among others. The music composition by great instrumental score from composers Pawel Mykietyn and Adam Walicki is also a big part of the experience concentrating purposefully on many violin solos to enhance the emotional narration that pushes the film forward. All in all despite of it's sensitive and controversial topic this film got to offer a lot of intellectual feedback that might stay with you long after it's ending.For more of my reviews please go to: www.facebook.com/JanuszMadejTechnique

jim smith Andrej Chyra (Father Adam), Mateusz Koskiukiewicz (the tongue-tied Lukasz) and Tomas Schuchard (the streetwise Blondie)are superb. But this is writer/director Malgorzata Szumowski's film and it is original, fresh. It proves once again the power of art to make sympathetic a character you wouldn't have believed was worthy of consideration based on the facts alone. I mean the conscience-tormented Father Adam who is enveloped in a haze of homoeroticism generated by the late-teenage youths at a Polish reformatory camp. Given the emotional and affectional undernourishment among both the adults and the youths it is unsurprising that desire emerges here and there. But Father Adam is no predator pedophile exploiting altar boys. He is a sincere man devoted to the well-being of his wards and his temptations come in the form of youths past the age of consent played by actors well-past that age.

kosmasp To say the least. The movie will not leave you completely after watching it. Whatever reaction it does create, it will stay with you. It's not an easy or light theme it takes on. Therefor it had to be careful. But it is not too careful. You have scenes that are explicit in its sexual nature (even if not completely graphic).But it is the overall feeling this movie might leave you with and the moral choices the characters are taking. It is not easy to watch at all and you might understand the characters or you might start to hate some of them too. But I can't imagine anyone watching this, feeling nothing (even if its just disgust). The acting is really good and you get the feeling as if this is really happening (some might argue that it is close to some truth, which wouldn't be wrong I reckon). Tough but maybe still rewarding watch

JvH48 I saw this film as part of the official Competition section of the Berlinale 2013. The theme at hand is very relevant in the context of child abuse as came to light in recent years, but there is more to it than that in this film. While the "children" in this film are nearly old enough to count as consensual adults, there is always the relationship between teacher and pupil to block any sort of romantic involvement. And there is the issue of celibacy for Roman Catholic priests. And if that is not enough, any intimacy between men and boys (whatever their age) is frowned upon by not only the church but also not accepted by the average man/woman in the street. The scenario contains elements of all these issues, mixed together in a believable story line.As a bonus we see also the dilemmas that the church has to face when becoming aware that things are deviating from the official path. Our main character, priest Adam, has a proved track record of having a positive influence at all locations where he worked before. Nevertheless, there was always something going on, allegedly or not, that the church could not approve. And even when proving untrue rumors after all, it could have repercussions on their charitable work by the sheer suggestion alone. A transfer to a different place with the proverbial clean slate is then the next best thing the clerical hierarchy can do in their context, since dismissing him would be a loss for the social work that the church wants to continue at any price.All of the above issues are intermixed in this film. That is done in such a way that one has difficulties to choose for either side, even for or against the church who is often maneuvered in a difficult position. And there is always some form of collateral damage due to suddenly broken relationships, deserving our pity as well. The perfect casting and superb acting carry this film and make into a believable piece of work. Having lived devoid of religious beliefs for the greater part of my life, I cannot follow in the footsteps of most of the characters in this film. And we should not forget this this happens in Poland, but even being from The Netherlands where I live, we know that their actions and beliefs are not extreme or otherwise unbelievable.