Stations of the Cross

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Rachel B @Rachel101 Dec 26, 2025 Google bills this film as drama/comedy, but I fail to see anything comedic in the film I've just watched. This was 100 minutes of a deeply disturbing examination of child abuse wrapped up in the guise of religious doctrine, and there was nothing to smile about. It was beautifully acted, and the austere use of a single camera mirrored the stoney faced religious fervour exhibited by Maria's mother. I like to be challenged by films I watch, and in that respect, Stations of the Cross delivered. I had to go for a walk and pour myself a stiff drink. So, be warned, it's a tough, thought provoking watch. See more Tom Y @RT65725604 Aug 19, 2025 The first part of the movie was absolutely mesmerizing with regard to the classroom. Really got me to think. But then when mom entered in, I saw the devil incarnate, as it were, deplorable with all the bullying. I nearly gagged, and almost went running out of the house shrieking. After finally settling back down, I turned it on again, no volume, only subtitles. And then I saw it. The titles of each section were so deep I really had to keep my thinking cap on. As the movie progressed (or should I say digressed), the bullying continued in both direct and indirect ways. What should killer! This is what made the movie so special. She followed in Jesus' steps every step of the way. As Jesus, she responded so beautifully to the bullied degradation. And what of her mother? You'll be awed by the conclusion. See more Mar 24, 2022 I can only watch the first two or three sections of this film because I found the subject matter so depressing. It's a very interesting idea for a film, though, and I may revisit it at some point. Meanwhile, I'd prefer to commemorate Easter this year with a more positive message. See more dave s @RT68722908 Jul 5, 2021 Mirroring Christ's journey to his crucifixion, Stations of the Cross tells the story of Maria (Lea Van Acklen), a young teenager drawn into the life of strict Catholicism by her overzealous mother, a woman who sees danger in anything that does not conform to her narrow-minded belief system. Director Dietrich Bruggemann adopts an Ozu-like style, using only fourteen shots over the course of the film, all but two of them static for the duration of the scene. Thanks to an insightful script, subdued but effective acting, and remarkably well blocked shots, the movie is a powerful and damning indictment of the power and danger of blind faith. See more Dec 27, 2019 Very few of the reviews came close to understanding the import of this film. Without reading what Dietrich Brüggemann and his sister Anna have to say about the film, it's impossible to work out whether the miraculous cure of the heroine's brother was written in to add a layer of spurious complexity and add a trompe l'œile impression of depth, or whether Anna and Dietrich fully understood their own script. I would opt for the former, but in that case, the film has overtaken its makers, and stands as a counter-cultural monument to a disintegrating Germany and Western Europe generally. Most critics, predictably, looked at the window and saw only their own reflection. And that, also, is the story of the modern West. This is a must-watch movie. See more Sep 3, 2019 Minimal direction perfectly suited to this beautifully acted and scripted film. See more Read all reviews

Stations of the Cross

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