Le Silence des églises (French) [The Silence of the Church]

Sexual abuse within the Catholic Church is a topic that has long fascinated film makers and we can find plenty films in this zone from various countries. Manipulations, suicide, fear and the shame are some things that these priests often use to lure kids and get the kids in doing things they don't want to. I remember having seen a few already (full length and documentaries both), but there are many more to follow. It's always a dilemma on whether or not to add these films on my blog and review them, but here we are.

Gabriel, an adult now is reminded of his childhood when he hears a catholic school's now famous choir cd. Through flashbacks we are told how he was admitted in the school run by Father Vincey. He was mesmerized by Gabriel's voice and soon he became close to the priest. A couple of students are a bit abusive to him but Gabriel soon realizes that something is off between another student and a priest. That student died in a car accident. We see how systematically, Father Vincey brings Gabriel on his side at just age 12, in the name of god , get him to accept their special friendship and never to tell anyone their secret otherwise God will get angry. We see how in the name of religion, the parents turn blind eye and have no idea on what's happening with their kid. Back to present (15 years after the incident), Gabriel buys a gun thinking of killing the priest and when they come face to face, he reminds of all the awful thing the priest did. He finds no support from church or bishop and eventually he files a case against the Father in court who gets 15 years imprisonment for his abuse of many young kids.

This well-made French film is not shy about showing all the shame and degradation of the victim, with the sanctioned cover-up for the priest, the bishop, and the whole hierarchy of the Catholic Church in its complicity of this horrific scandal. Sadly, this is still the truth that most catholic communities face worldwide, yet instead of shame for its behavior, and little or no attention paid to victims, who are now getting "paid" for years of secrecy and their own sad and undeserved shame. As far as the film goes, it is a bit slow in places, but still constantly reminds us to look out for our near and dear ones. The actors all do a good job a both leads Gabriel and Father Vincey. The father comes off as scary but the actor should be commended for taking up a difficult part. The last 10 minutes feels very rushed and how I wish there were more details shown about the case in the court and how eventually church and bishop is put responsible. Sadly, that did not happen. Still, this film is very important addition. (5.5/10)