Stations of the Cross (2014)

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

When the list of films to watch for the ICM Film Festival was announced,I ordered the DVD of this straight away. As these types of things usually go,despite ordering it first,this was the last movie to arrive of the festival viewings,which led to me rushing to the stations.View on the film:Following the stations of the cross paths that Christ went on to crucifixion, the screenplay by co-writer/(with Anna Brüggemann) director Dietrich Brüggemann draws the blood of chilling religious fundamentalism, with the ban from the family of Maria listening to "demonic" music tuning into the de-humanisation shown across all extremist interpretations of religion. Separated into 14 segments, the writers brilliantly unveil the strictness that Maria and her family live under,via the coldness shown at the dinner table of the opening segment expanding to the family giving the cold shoulder to any advice from doctors,as they look to blind faith for Maria.Placing the hands of faith on Maria, director Dietrich Brüggemann & cinematographer Alexander Sass follows her steps to the cross in fourteen extended takes. Impressively keeping each one-take from ever running out of steam, Brüggemann and Sass delicately frame each shot with a subtle closed-off atmosphere, reflecting the impossibility of Maria and her family freeing themselves from the frame and their fundamental state. Joined by a heart-felt Moritz Knapp as Christian, Lea van Acken gives an excellent performance as Maria,whose initial care-free nature Acken brings down with the cross of her family weighing on brittle shoulders,that leave Maria full of grace.

"Stations of the Cross" (2014 release from Germany; 110 min.; original title "Kreuzweg") brings the story of a strongly religious Catholic girl named Maria. As the movie opens, we see Maria and five other young teenagers getting a last lesson from the local priest, in preparation for their Confirmation, now just a week away. In the next scene, we observe Maria and her family taking a stroll in a park, and it becomes clear very quickly that there are serious tensions between Maria and her mom, who seems to rule the family with an iron fist. What will become of Maria? How will the tension with her mom play out? To tell you more would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself….Couple of comments: first, the movie is highly stylish, and for an unusual reason: the movie is brought in 14 chapters, paralleling the 14 stations of the cross that Jesus encounters in his final days and hours. Each of these 14 scenes is brought in a single take, and all but two chapters (late in the film) are filmed with a fixed camera angle. Sitting through the first chapter (with the 6 kids getting Confirmation class), I had no idea whether this movie was going to appeal to me. Literally nothing happens. Then the next chapter comes, and the one after that, and slowly you start to realize that you are watching a harrowing family drama set in a highly conservative Catholic family where any sign of modernism is loathed. The Second Vatican Council reforms are flat-out rebuked, and instead 'old style' Cathlolicism is sought at every step in life. Meanwhile young Maria is trying to find her one path, all the while trying to get her stern mom's love and approval. As it happens, I grew up in an all-out Catholic environment in Belgium in the 60s and 70s. A number of scenes in the movie brought back memories I hadn't thought of in YEARS (such as when I had my Confirmation in 1972). The film features a towering and heartbreaking performance from Lea van Acken as the young Maria, leaving you to shake your head in disbelief, and let's not forget Franziska Weisz as Maria's mom, playing about as unlikeable a character as I've seen in a long time. Kudos to director and co-writer Dietrich Brüggemann for bringing us this highly original, if tense, family drama. I wish we'd get more movies of this caliber more often."Stations of the Cross" was released in the US by the good folks at Film Movement, which over the years has released a tons of great foreign and indie movies that otherwise would never have seen the light of day in the US. As usual, the DVD comes with a bonus shortie, and this time it's an 11 min. film from Germany called "One Shot" which director Dietrich Brüggemann made to great acclaim before he had a chance to make "Stations of the Cross". Definitely worthwhile checking out as well. Meanwhile, "Stations of the Cross" is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

When I saw the reviews for this film I expected more then I received. Although nicely imagined, plot did not deliver what I expected. I found it a little bit unrealistic that case like this can be found in a modern day Germany. Of course, like most of European film makers, this film maker concentrated on a case which is more rare and not a regular occurrence. It is an exception in the modern Germany rather then the rule. That is what actually bothered me throughout this film.Acting was very good short of excellent.Like any film which deals with religion, this film also enters the realm of fanatic believers. In this case it is the Catholic faith. When will they make film about ISIL so we can see what a true fanaticism truly is?

I have to admit that the mere mention of words like Catholicism and Stations of the Cross, particularly in the same sentence, makes me want to turn heel and run in the opposite direction. As a catholic, I spent my early childhood at church every Sunday morning, praying up and down on my knees (hurting) on old wooden kneeling benches, hearing service in English (and Latin) all whilst staring at 14 paintings of…you guessed it… the Stations of the Cross, positioned equidistant from each other along both sides of the church. I was taught (*coughed* 'indoctrinated') by old school nuns in habits and remember making up the strangest sins to confess at confession (I failed to share Milo with my brother…a lot). And yet, one can't help but be drawn in by the form, technique and understated beauty of Dietrich Brüggemann's (MOVE, NEUN SZENEN) moving painting STATIONS OF THE CROSS. Powerfully constructed into 14 fixed angled long shots, 12 of which are static (meaning the camera stays in a single position), each shot is its own chef d'oeuvre. The setting within each frame along The Way from 'Jesus is Condemned to Death' to 'Jesus us Laid in the Tomb' exude pious restraint, allowing the actions and catechistical dialogue to convey Maria's (Lea van Acken) youthful conflictions regarding her love for God, her family's fundamentalist beliefs and its place in modern society.In the week leading up to her confirmation in the puritanical 'Society of St Paul', protagonist Maria finds herself increasingly anxious and examining as she tries to find a balance between living up to the mature expectations of her extremist faith, pressures emanating from home, and the ridicule she endures from classmates over her religion. She decides to follow the path Jesus took and give up her life for her three year old brother Johannes who has never spoken a word. As she traverses her Way, she 'Falls for the First Time' when she meets fellow school student Christian (Moritz Knapp) who invites her to attend his choir practice at a different congregation. Flattered by his attentions, Maria decides to withhold certain details from her controlling and virtuous mother (Franziska Weisz) who would be aghast over the singing of soul and gospel music that she believes contains 'Devil rhythms'. Becoming increasingly burdened by her wrongdoing, Maria confesses her transgression to her priest who relieves her of her venial sins, due to her innocent mind and unknowledgeable heart. Instilled with the dogma sin – confess - repent, Maria returns to her enlightened path, eschewing Christian's attempts at friendship and the use of 'Devil Rhythms' in her gym class (this particular scene is an entertaining relief in an otherwise austere and reflective film). I won't enlighten you on the rest of her journey in the hope that you engage yourself in this complex yet rewarding story. The film takes a realistic position in its observations of fundamentalist religion and the devastating affects it could have on innocent minds if left unguarded. Van Acken is compelling as Maria whilst Weisz is particularly thrilling in 'Jesus' Clothes are Taken Away' when Maria's doctor challenges her maternal competencies. STATIONS OF THE CROSS is a hidden gem worthy of much greater traction than what it will undoubtedly receive. An art-house film at its finest. You can catch more at my Twitter handle theSachaHall and The Hollywood News.