Directed by Alexandru Solomon, documentary, 96 min, eng subtitles, 16+
Written by Alexandru Solomon
This road movie takes us on a staged pilgrimage in the footsteps of Arsenie Boca, a soon to be canonised Romanian priest, mystic and cult figure. Through discussions about the alleged miracles attributed to the priest and reenactments of scenes from Arsenie’s life, the film uses the perspective of the faithful and the scepticism of the director to portray the Romanian society as a reflection of Arsenie’s image.
A social phenomenon issued from the post-communist “transition” and the ensuing collapse of the old values and institutions, the figure of Father Arsenie emerges as an answer not only to typical Romanian frustrations, but also to the global fears of the contemporary world: the threat to the planet’s future, the imminence of an apocalyptic war, and the spectrum of deadly epidemics. The myth of Arsenie becomes a remedy for all these problems. It fills the void left by the disappointments of the last 30 years and it offers hope for a better world to a disillusioned society that has lost its bearings.
Prophet or trickster? Saint or influencer? After a rather ordinary life, Arsenie Boca enjoys an extraordinary afterlife, becoming not only a revered figure for millions of people and a ubiquitous brand, but also an icon of our current troubled times.
CinEast is proud to host the Luxembourg premiere of the film, which is co-produced by Paul Thiltges Distributions, in the presence of the director Alexandru Solomon and producers Ada Solomon, Paul Thiltges and Adrien Chef.
Festivals:
Karlovy Vary IFF 2023 (Proxima Competition)
With the support of Film Fund Luxembourg