Clergy is not merely a collection of sketches about the lives of fallen priests but a quite precisely woven dramatical composition in which unconnected themes turn out to be parts of a bigger whole. The part starring Robert Więckiewicz is an exception – it seems to be a needless addition and does not contribute much to the story. Perhaps if the director had dropped it, he would have been able to deepen the interesting story about the priest accused of paedophilia or expand the image of the tug-of-war taking place in the bishop’s palace.
Clergy is not the Polish equivalent to McCarthy’s Spotlight nor the artistically more mature Vinterberg’s The Hunt. Most likely, it will not initiate great discussion and will allow the quarrelling publicists to remain at their posts. Still, it is an interesting film, a fiery pamphlet and, at the same time, a story filled with humour and irony. It is worth seeing even if it will not alter the face of the Earth – if only for the great performances delivered by Jacek Braciak, Janusz Gajos, and Arkadiusz Jakubik.
Clergy, director: Wojciech Smarzowski, screenplay: Wojciech Smarzowski, Wojciech Rzehak. Cinematography: Tomasz Madejski. Music: Mikołaj Trzaska. Starring: Janusz Gajos, Jacek Braciak, Robert Więckiewicz, Arkadiusz Jakubik, Joanna Kulig. Polish premiere: 28 September 2018.