Pastor Ernst Toller was led into the arms of the church by his turbulent past. Now, at a church somewhere in upstate New York, he looks after a small congregation, offering them spiritual advice and a kind word. Although he is a source of strength for others, his encounter with the agitated Mary and her mercurial husband Michael shakes his own apparent stability. Ethan Hawke masterfully tackles the difficult role of the doubting priest.
Pastor Ernst Toller was led to the Dutch Reformed Church by his turbulent past. Now, at a church somewhere in upstate New York, he looks after a small congregation, offering them spiritual advice and a kind word. Although he is a source of strength for others, his encounter with the agitated Mary and her mercurial husband Michael shakes his own apparent stability. Ethan Hawke tackles the difficult role of the doubting priest with the kind of restraint that only adds to its credibility. Paul Schrader’s film about the contradictions inherent to a life in faith seethes with drama while also smouldering beneath the surface.
Martin Horyna
108 min / Color, DCP
Director Paul Schrader
/ Screenplay Paul Schrader
/ Dir. of Photography Alexander Dynan
/ Music Brian Williams
/ Editor Benjamin Rodriguez Jr.
/ Art Director Raphael Sorcio
/ Producer Jack Binder, Greg Clark, Gary Hamilton, Victoria Hill, Deepak Sikka
/ Production Killer Films, Omeira Studio Partners, Fibonacci Films
/ Coproduction Arclight Films, Big Indie Pictures
/ Cast Ethan Hawke, Amanda Seyfried, Cedric Kyles, Michael Gaston
/ Sales Park Circus Film Company Ltd
Paul Schrader (1946, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA). Selected filmography: Hardcore (1979), American Gigolo (1980), Cat People (1982), Mishima (1985), Affliction (1997), Auto Focus (2002), Adam Resurrected (2008), First Reformed (2017).
Park Circus Film Company Ltd
14 Gray’s Inn Road, WC1X 8HN, London
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 203 657 9507
E-mail: [email protected]
Ethan Hawke
Actor
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