Tropic Sprockets / Corpus Christi

By Ian Brockway

The idea of sneaky or covetous men of the cloth, genuine or otherwise, has been frequent ground for Gothic literature and film. Literature has the authors Radcliffe and Matthew Lewis featuring formidable clergy. In film, there is “Priest” a 1994 film directed by Antonia Bird and “The Magdalene Sisters” by Peter Mullan, among countless others.

“Corpus Christi” is another dark tale, this one from Poland directed by Jan Komasa and based on a true story. Poland’s nominee for best foreign film in 2020, the film has Gothic aspects and is deeply affecting from start to finish.

Daniel (Bartosz Bielenia) is a young criminal newly released from a detention cell, who worships Catholic ideals. On a chance meeting with a parishioner, Marta (Eliza Rycembel) Daniel says he is a priest. Marta introduces Daniel to the sexton (Aleksandra Konieczna) and he then meets the vicar (Zdzisław Wardejn) who asks Daniel to take his place during a ceremony. Daniel agrees.

Men and women defer to Daniel and he is now known as Father Tomasz, impersonating the priest from the detention center (Łukasz Simlat).

Daniel employs the same sermons as Tomasz and feels he is the priest when he is called upon. A routine emerges. Where before Daniel was slumped, now he is straight. As he was once glassy eyed and drugged, now he is open-eyed with religious ecstasy. He is warm, welcoming and holistic in his speeches. He drinks and smokes with wayward kids. When Daniel learns of a car accident that killed seven young people involving drunk driving, he advocates forgiving the driver, detested in the community.

This is an engrossing film that compels at every second. The main hallmark is a singular stand-alone performance by Bartosz Bielenia. Is Daniel honest in his religious convictions or not? The answer is somewhere in between. “Corpus Christi” is a visceral and lively film that works as both a thriller and a meditation on belief.

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