We find ourselves in Quebec, in 1952. The local Roman Catholic bishop has come to a local prison to hear the confession of a dying man, a man he knew in his childhood, that had been in prison for 40 years for committing some heinous crime.
When he gets there, the inmates, local chaplain, and prison guards imprison him, and force him to watch his former school-mate, who is not terminally ill, put on a play that re-creates the events that led to his imprisonment. This movie moves between the crude props and costumes made from scraps and rags and the elegant, wealthy past with flawless precision.
It's a story of a love gone awry, of twisted values, self loathing and lust, jealousy, murder, and vengeance.
Many may be put off by its overtly gay cast and story line, or the fact that male and female roles are played by men (as they were years ago, and still are in all-male schools overseas).
If one can get by these prejudices, and prejudices regarding what "gay behavior" is supposed to be (this movie has feminine and masculine acting men, in both gay and straight roles), this movie will keep you riveted to your seat.
When he gets there, the inmates, local chaplain, and prison guards imprison him, and force him to watch his former school-mate, who is not terminally ill, put on a play that re-creates the events that led to his imprisonment. This movie moves between the crude props and costumes made from scraps and rags and the elegant, wealthy past with flawless precision.
It's a story of a love gone awry, of twisted values, self loathing and lust, jealousy, murder, and vengeance.
Many may be put off by its overtly gay cast and story line, or the fact that male and female roles are played by men (as they were years ago, and still are in all-male schools overseas).
If one can get by these prejudices, and prejudices regarding what "gay behavior" is supposed to be (this movie has feminine and masculine acting men, in both gay and straight roles), this movie will keep you riveted to your seat.