Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. Yes, I have received and do value the word of Pope Francis, in particular his holiness's unwillingness to duck tough issues like gay rights, the Holocaust, and what he perceives to be, “today’s globalization of indifference.” (Though he asks that people make eye-contact in daily conversation, even Francis has difficulty looking directly into the camera when the topic shifts to pedophiles in the church.) But what left the greatest impression was the manner in which his directorial eminence, Wim Wenders reimagined the life of the current Pope’s namesake, Francis of Assisi, in silent film form. It took a moment to sink in that this wasn’t archival footage from one of DeMille’s biblical epics, but new material filmed expressly for the documentary, flicker and all. Whether you worship at the altar of Pope Francis or long to wash and kiss Wenders’ divine tootsies, there’s something for everyone in this spiritually uplifting transdenominational documentary. (2018) — Scott Marks
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