By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Director: Ulrich Seidl
Starring: Dieter Masur | Maria Hofstätter | Nabil Saleh | Natalya Baranova | René Rupnik | Trude Masur
Original language title: Paradies: Glaube
Country: austria, france, germany
Year: 2013
Running time: 115
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2371824/reference
Beth C. says: “PARADISE: FAITH, a film by Ulrich Seidl, is shocking in its authenticity. Seidl is a rare treasure of a director, chiefly because of his approach to narrative film. Many of the actors in the film were chosen, not because of their acting ability, but because they embody his vision of the person they play. In fact, many characters are not actors, but people Seidl has found in the community that compliment his vision. The film is also largely unscripted. With little dialogue, we are pulled deeply into the psyche of a woman who has become pathological in her Catholic faith. The viewer is able to see the breadth of this character’s burden for humanity along with her failure to recognize her own flaws. PARADISE: FAITH is brilliantly conceived, every moment drawing the viewer farther and deeper into the suffering soul of this faith-filled woman.”
Bruce says: “Austrian Ulrich Seidl is one of the most daring and exciting directors at work today. The enthralling look and feel of PARADISE: FAITH is testimony not only to Seidl’s impeccable direction of actors but to his choices in pacing combined with an unforgettable mis-en-scène.”