The English translation of the Latin title of this Italian documentary is Deliver Us, which sounds like a horror film. And with good reason; the topic of Federica Di Giacomo’s movie is exorcism in the real world – specifically in Palermo, where Father Cataldo is so overwhelmed by requests to drive out demons, he sometimes holds a special exorcism mass to try to get seven or eight at a go. But the director doesn’t judge; her doc is shot straight on, with as little editorial bias as she can muster. Clearly many of the film’s subjects need help, and one priest is shown gently asking whether one supplicant has sought psychiatric aid. And whether due to illness or religious expectation, those in the grip of possession can be counted on to writhe, flail and growl obscenities.

Source: National Post October 27, 2017 18:45 UTC