"Saint" (Polish: "Święty") is a 2023 Polish-Hungarian crime thriller directed by Sebastian Buttny. Set in 1980s Poland, the film draws inspiration from real events, focusing on the investigation into the audacious theft of a revered silver statue of Saint Adalbert from the Gniezno Cathedral. Lieutenant Andrzej Baran of the Citizens' Militia is tasked with solving the case amid the politically charged atmosphere following the murder of priest Jerzy Popiełuszko. As Baran delves deeper, he uncovers a complex web suggesting that the crime is not merely theft but a politically motivated provocation.
Austin Film Festival
Themes:
Church-State Relations: The film explores the tension between religious institutions and the communist state in 1980s Poland.
Political Intrigue: It delves into the use of crime as a tool for political manipulation and control.
Moral Ambiguity: The narrative examines the ethical dilemmas faced by individuals operating within oppressive regimes.
Awards and Nominations:
Nominee Golden Lions, Best Film, Polish Film Festival 2023
Critical Reception:
The film has received mixed reviews:
IMDb: Holds a rating of 4.9/10 based on 10 votes.
User Reviews: One reviewer described it as "highly underrated" and deserving of a higher score.
The Reviews Hub: Noted that the film starts intriguingly but becomes "a little disappointing" by the end.
Production Companies:
IKH Pictures Production
Centrum Technologii Audiowizualnych CeTA
National Film Institute Hungary
Hungarian Film Incentive
Distribution:
Distributor: Uránia Film
About movie: https://urania-nf.hu/en/movie_program/saint
Link to watch: https://tinyurl.com/2y7rmewr (US)
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