Stations of the Cross

Oh just fuck off you heartless film school wanks. Every single choice - from theme to camera placement - reeks of intellectual arrogance. Worst film of 2014.

Like CARRIE, if Carrie refused to use her powers.

This pointed critique of religious fundamentalism highlights the ways that rigid constraints line the path to death rather than life. By placing this journey in the context of the stations, Bruggemann also raises questions about the meaning of martyrdom and the meaning of the faithful believer taking up one's cross. The stridency of Bruggemann's attack on fundamentalism is not without humanity (the enthusiasm of the priest), but neither does it offer a compelling vision of religion done well.

Not much happening in this movie. Unless "religious indoctrination = bad" is some big revelation to you, this is an easy skip.

Every scene is redundant with itself or another scene. Like we hear the details of how music is satanic 20 different times. Scenes go on 3x longer than they should because of how often they rehash the same ideas over and over. Cut the repeat stuff and this movie is 40 minutes long.

An incisive portrayal of the puzzle of religion to the non-believer. Simple faith misunderstands, but creates miracles. The most fervent disciples only find the truth when it is too late. The Church is actually on the margins of the lived religion. Materialist society cannot contain spiritual longing.

On fundamentalist indoctrination, the misled and unjust martyrdom of the faithful, and grace, though in this case bestowed upon the protagonist not by God, but the pair of sibling filmmakers who apparently based this story on semi-autobiographical experience. "Attack" holds the wrong connotation, implying bitterness or aggression, where instead this film employs stillness, humanism, and empathy. The static aesthetic is perfectly composed.

ger; [stations of the cross; Kreuzweg]; ein mädchen aus einer religiösen familie wird immer fundamentalistischer und interpretiert die worte der kirche immer wörtlicher - bis sie letztlich der selbstaufopferung gegenübersteht.; (tragischer film über das leben eines über-religiösen mädchens);

Instantly impressive, with a well suited style of static photography and a good lead, and ultimately quite an effective film despite being crippled by unidimensional characterizations. It's a shame that so much potential is laid to waste by Bruggemann's inexplicable need to have his anti-religious parable involve an angel and a demon, and a host of equally crude supporting characters. It's a sermon -- and it would have served its purpose better if it showed more nuance.

Part infuriating, part heartbreaking.

A movie that tries is more important than a movie that succeeds.

very well written and acted, and the mise-en-scene works for the most part. it's one of those things that will readjust your perspective a little, which is good every now and then. and you don't need to be a Catholic to relate, it can speak to any sort of fundamental(ist) total dedication to an idea.

A thought provoking and totally absorbing film, it's simplistic, striped down, static style suited the subject matter.

Sabit çekimler. Ustaca çekim teknikleri. Ancak hristiyanlık eleştrisinin daha başka yolları olmalı artık dedirtti.

Tragic, touching, sarcastic, funny, contradictory, bitter, evil, not perfect, relentless and unforgettable.

Brilliantly shot, and that's just the first thing you notice. The script is very nearly complete genius, and the execution is impressive. Bar a thing or two at the end that I thought were slightly fishy and in contrast to the film's overall message, I loved it.