Chichester Cinema at New Park
The Crime of Father Amaro
- El Crimen del Padre Amaro
A study of hypocrisy and corruption within the Catholic community starring Gael Garcia Bernal as a young priest tempted by a young woman.
This controversial film follows a handsome young priest, Padre Amaro (played by Gael Garcia Bernal from ‘Y Tu Mamá También’ and ‘Amores Perros’), who arrives in a small town and finds himself surrounded by hypocrisy and corruption - and also finds himself tempted by a beautiful young woman who confesses that when she "touches herself," she thinks of Jesus.
What makes ‘El Crimen del Padre Amaro’ particularly effective is that Amaro is no innocent - he skillfully forces a newspaper publisher to retract a scandalous story about the Church and is willing to take extreme steps to preserve his career. Some of the movie's harsher digs at the Catholic Church have provoked accusations of prejudice; but though Padre Amaro portrays a world in which no one's hands are clean, it also finds redeeming qualities in every character. A complex, completely engrossing movie. The film also reflects anti-Catholic and anti-establishment views held by Varo and Carrington who were both brought up by Catholics. (Subtitles)
Mexico · 
Spain · 2003 · Carlos Carrera · 118min
