Films that show us unknown pages – Diepresse.com
Hardly any pope was as popular with renowned filmmakers as Francis. Accordingly, there is no shortage of fictional and documentary visual material for interested parties. We offer an overview.
Papal portraits of Wim Wenders and Co.
Even – or especially if – you are not interested in religion or church affairs, a Pope Francis will probably be especially when the « cool » Pontifex is remembered: Somehow left and progressive (apart from the crux with the abortion), popular, humorous and down -to -earth. Not a lifted patriarch, but a kind shepherd. Accordingly, his position within the film culture is. While well -known directors were not exactly in line to pay homage to Benedikt XVI. Creating aka Joseph Ratzinger, there are two documentary about Francis, for which renowned cinema artists are responsible.
One of them is the German Wim Wenders, who sees himself as a « ecumenical Christian ». « Pope Francis »his papal homage in the DOKuformat (2018, from € 3.99 in the stream with various providers) calls her heroes a « man of his word » in the subtitle, that is, honest skin. With interviews, archive recordings and turning comments’ own, thought-heavy off-comment, the film paints the image of a convinced Christian in the pastoral mode, for the true belief in close connection with secular renunciation and a kind of mental mindfulness. Who wants to return the church in the spirit of his model Franz von Assisi to its charitable roots. Last but not least, the focus is on the Pope’s trips.
This also accompanies the multi-award-winning Italian documentary filmmaker Gianfranco Rosi in his younger Francis reception « In Viaggio: The Travels of Pope Francis » (2023), We are currently only available on DVD and Blu-ray.
Francis in the feature film: « The two Popes » and « The Jesuit »
Francis was lucky enough to be recognized in one of the more original spiritually oriented feature films of recent times: « The two popes » (2019, in the stream on Netflix) from the Brazilian star director and Catholics Fernando Meirrelles A meeting between Pope Benedict XVI. (Anthony Hopkins) and his successor, Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce), then Archbishop of Buenos Aires. In a cozy ambience you chat and debate about God, the world and the future of the church, eat pizza and see Ratzinger’s favorite series, « Commissioner Rex ». The benevolent and pleasantly lively conversation also roams the dark sides in Francis’ Vita: the man of God plagues guilty because he believes that he had behaved too frugal at times of state terror during the military dictatorship in his home country of Argentina.
In comparison is « The Jesuit »an Argentine Franziskus-Biopic in the form of a four-part mini series (in the free stream on pluto.tv), more conventional.
« Papa », we love you: fan and image films
Anyone who does not require any significant artistic handwriting to delight in cinematic certificates from Pope Francis will be blessed in the network cinema: there is no shortage of fan and image films on behalf of the deceased. One of the more unusual is the documentary « Our Pope » (Netflix): She follows an actor who is supposed to embody the Holy Father and embarks on the traces of his idol to prepare for roles. Would you like an almost 50-minute papa revue? The mini portrait offers this « Francesco » (Netflix), produced by Vatican television itself.
Streaming production is based on ornate « Amen: A conversation with the Pope » (Disney+, ORF ON), in which the head of the church answered questions of young people from different origins – on various, sometimes also controversial topics. And if you are just looking for a crash course in Francis, you are with the TV information end « Pope Francis – a life » Well advised (in the stream in the ZDF media library).
The conclave as an Oscar -winning thriller
Its holiness is dead, it live its holiness: the concrete, the cardinal meeting entitled to vote in the Vatican, will soon choose the successor to Pope Francis, depending on God’s will. How this choice works shows a Feature film, which is called the same as the church college (« Conclave »))) and recently won a script oscar. The clerical thriller of the Swiss Austrian director Edward Berger (To be seen from € 4.99 in the stream at Apple TV+ and in isolated cinemas), of course, only a drastic exaggeration of the actual election process. At least we hope.
It would also be desirable that the next Pope does not steal out of great responsibility out of doubt – like Michel Piccoli in Nanni Morettis Church satire « Habemus papam » (€ 3.99 at Apple TV+) – but the humanity of its office protects against apocalyptic war disaster, as Anthony Quinn in « The Shoes of the Fisherman » (€ 9.99 at Apple TV+).
