CORPUS CHRISTI
Boże Ciało
Directed by Jan Komasa
Poland, France | 116 min | 2019 | drama | Polish
Corpus Christi is the story of a 20-year-old Daniel who experiences a spiritual transformation while living in a Youth Detention Center. He wants to become a priest but this is impossible because of his criminal record. When he is sent to work at a carpenter’s workshop in a small town, on arrival he dresses up as a priest and accidentally takes over the local parish. The arrival of the young, charismatic preacher is an opportunity for the local community to begin the healing process after a tragedy that happened there.
Academy Award Nominee – Best International Feature Film
Credits
Director: Jan Komasa
Screenplay: Mateusz Pacewicz
Cinematography: Piotr Sobociński Jr
Editing: Przemysław Chruścielewski
Production Design: Marek Zawierucha
Sound Design: Kacper Habisiak, Marcin Kasiński/Dreamsound
Music: Galperin brothers
Production company: Aurum Film – Aneta Hickinbotham, Leszek Bodzak
Co-production company: Les Contes Modernes
Cast: Bartosz Bielenia, Eliza Rycembel, Aleksandra Konieczna, Tomasz Ziętek, Leszek Lichota, Łukasz Simlat
Selected Festivals & Awards
Giornate degli Autori – World Premiere | Europa Cinemas Label Award, Premio per L’inclusione Edipo Re
Toronto International Film Festival – North American Premiere
Busan International Film Festival – Asian Premiere
El Gouna Film Festival | Silver Star for Narrative Film, Star for the Best Actor
Chicago Inernational Film Festival | Best Actor for Bartosz Bielenia
Palm Springs IFF | FIPRESCI Prize for Best Actor in a International Feature, Young Cineastes Award
press quotes
Komasa directs with an impressive rigor that fits the subject matter, and the incorporation of subtle ecclesiastical embellishments in the score adds to the imposing solemnity. The smoldering center of it all is Bielenia’s remarkable performance.
The Hollywood Reporter
Bielenia digs deep into the psyche of his character and presents his inner struggle, with a twitch here and a look from his piercing blue eyes there. His on-screen charisma is jaw-dropping.
Cineuropa