Zelan Eroz Espanto

Probably the best documentary I've ever watched so far. The event itself is amazing as is, but Nat Geo and the team made such a great job (great job is an understatement). I love the pace and the sequence of the story itself but what I loved most was how narratives from different points of views, something that could have tangled the main point of the documentary, was extremely well crafted. From religion and tale, being human and vulnerable, to love, life, & mortality, everything tied together. The cool illustrations in the end that had a touch of Thai art were even a bonus.

Great movie. I’m personally NOT a devout Chrstian, an emotional person, or one that fully agrees with the Catholic Church’s decisions, actions, and history. But, unexpectedly, I loved the movie. First of all, it’s hard enough to touch on religion as a central theme or plot of a movie - not just because it’s controversial but it’s hard to make it seem relatable, real, or touching. To add, even if the movie centered on such a simple plot, it narrated it well that it touches viewers. The dialogues where clearly written well and the story was simply well woven. Great cinematography though not as astounding as I expected it to be, is quite good/great enough. The casting is clearly astounding not only because the actors resembled the actual popes, but also 2 seasoned actors, Hopkins and Pryce, played off each other well in a way that they showed each other’s confection, seriousness, and essence of “being human”. To conclude, it’s amazing how such a simple narrative with a difficult theme (i.e., religion and all the issues that comes with it), is well narrated that it entertains and at the same time touches the viewers. However, despite this, the viewers have to remember that the movie is still fiction and that the narrative may not agree with one’s views/opinions as it is seen through the editorial board/writers/director’s point of view and understanding of each character.