Victor Pricolo

As someone who grew up in Italy in the 1970s, I am very well aware of the temporal power of Popes until Italy was reunified in 1860, and 99% of papal land was taken away. In exchange, Catholicism became the national religion, with a crucifix in every public school room and above every public hospital bed. Catholic churches and priests are everywhere in Italy and most of the USA. Cardinal Bernard Law can feel safe after fleeing the US for Rome to avoid prosecution for tolerating the catholic clergy abuse of minors in his diocese of Boston. I'm also well aware that there is only one requisite to become Pope. Actually, two of them. "Duo bene pendentes." "Two well-hanging testicles." That's it. Nothing else. The Pope doesn't even need to be Catholic, but no doubt can exist about his gender. Peace be with you.

The German, Italian, and Japanese soldiers and their families were victims of deranged sociopathic dictators who drove the world to WWII. Now it’s the Russian soldiers’ turn. The tragic devastation of war and the murderous deception of promised glory to young men who had litle choice needed to presented in all its realism from a country still riddled by guilt after eight decades. Only a German filmmaking team could deliver such an extraordinary masterpiece.