An extraordinary documentary profiling three very different characters all of whom claim to be the second coming of Christ, each part of a contrasting fringe community of disciples. British ex-secret service agent David Shayler underwent a spiritual awakening after release from prison and now lives in a squatting community rejecting capitalist values. INRI Cristo is a Brazilian media phenomenon, appearing on numerous TV shows, building a commune of mostly female followers. Vissarion is a charismatic but introverted prophet for a Siberian organic farming community, preparing for survival in a scarce future.
- Countries
- Italy
- Director:
- Valerie Gudenus, Heloisa Sartorato
- Running Time:
- 75 mins
- Subtitles:
- Yes
- Year:
- 2011
- Showing:
- This is a past event.
There are no planned future listings for this event, and as such tickets are currently unavailable; however, any future screenings will be posted here, so watch this space!
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An interesting film that just about resisted turning into a sniggerfest, though I felt rather intrusively ‘guided’ at points – Shayler’s commune is a political statement (none of them actually believe that he is Jesus) but the camera focusses on his tatty justifications for assuming the mantle rather than how people believe his assumption of that mantle affects their intentions and actions.
INRI had the best snooker table, but there were actually lots of male followers around in the background and it felt a bit like we were being sold the old sexy guru story again, not necessarily in a justifiable way. Great Christian Rock moments, though.
Vissarion definitely beats Shayler and INRI in the cult stakes – I would have liked more of the interview material. His followers have upped stakes and squatted central Siberia for him – this would have made a great Tarkovsky movie with Nicholas Cage as Vissarion. Jesus wept.
Disconcertingly, the Vissarionists turn out to be something like latter-day latter-day saints, and one was left with huge misgivings about the state of their children in twenty years time.
Ultimately an odd little film that that does raise questions about what people are to do with their capacity for belief (or bloody-minded self-delusion).
Two stars for the film and one star for the killer snooker table.