Directed by:
Wojciech SmarzowskiCinematography:
Tomasz MadejskiComposer:
Mikolaj TrzaskaCast:
Arkadiusz Jakubik, Robert Więckiewicz, Jacek Braciak, Janusz Gajos, Joanna Kulig, Adrian Zaremba, Ignacy Klim, Michał Gadomski, Katarzyna Chlebny (more)Plots(1)
A few years ago, three Catholic priest’s fates were joined together by a tragic event. Their lives were miraculously saved. Now, on every anniversary the clergymen meet to celebrate their survival. Each took a different path. Lisowski is moving up the ladder in the church administration in a big city, dreaming about the Vatican. Standing in his way is the Archbishop, a luxury-loving dignitary who uses political influence to build the largest sanctuary in Poland.The second priest, Trybus is a rural pastor. Serving in a place full of poverty, he slowly succumbs to human weaknesses. Kukula is not very successful, either, and despite his fervent faith, loses the trust of his parishioners overnight. Soon, the clergymen’s paths will cross again, and the events that will take place will have an impact on the life of each of them. (Phoenix Productions)
(more)Reviews (5)
The Poles are cinematically better than the Czechs and Clergy is proof of that. An interesting insight into the rotten Polish Catholic Church, where alcohol, threats and child abuse are the order of the day. Although I was worried that the film wouldn't pull me in because of the topic, those fears were unwarranted. The film is very easy to watch, it manages to surprise and shock and it oozes a chilling atmosphere from every corner. Solid. 8/10:
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Clergy does not hold back on the Catholic Church in Poland and takes care to portray the social forces associated with Catholicism as ruthless, selfish, manipulative, and predatory to the maximum extent possible, to the point that some of the audience might perceive it as biased and unfair. While all the described phenomena do occur in the church, they are not as prevalent and neatly arranged next to each other. There are no idealists and reformists, and a more plastic and credible image of this ancient institution is absent. Smarzowski's film is a slur, a film with an undeniable ideological and political intention to shake the strong position and influence of the church among the Poles - a church that routinely interferes in political processes and appeals to a higher, unquestionable authority. I cannot say that Smarzowski got under my skin this time, as it happened with the case of Hatred, but the craftsmanship is definitely above average. Overall impression: 70%.
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There’s no way I can go below five stars with this film. Despite its dismal plot, it was a pure joy to watch. I was grunting with bliss, which was in perfect tune with the archbishop's squealing. Clergy instantly became one of my favorite films from the world of organized crime. Even the most feared mafia organizations must feel like a bunch of amateurs compared to the Catholic Church. I just haven’t decided who’s worse - the priests or the parents who keep supplying them with new material. An excellent film.
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The acclaimed director Wojciech Smarzowski once again hit the nail on the head with Clergy, which unceremoniously criticizes the Catholic Church. He didn't leave a stone unturned, which is why I'm surprised that deeply religious Poles flocked to movie theaters in such large numbers. But I was even more amazed by the film itself, even though I never had any illusions about religion. I was quite sickened by the uncompromising depiction of all kinds of vices in which the current church dignitaries are mired. (85%)
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