The Jewish Cardinal (2013)

This seems to be a TV movie. It explains his impacts in the 80s but it is not an epic journey. His life however was probably more epic. Lots of arguing but the film seems to lack poise. It is somewhat light like a comedy. Also, too much smoking by the church representants looks like sin nowaday. Although probably accurate, it does not convey the stress but rather a bad habit.

I just saw this film at a Jewish film festival, and found it very thought-provoking and emotionally disquieting-- which I mean in a GOOD sense. I am neither Catholic nor Jewish, and so when I saw that the French title, "Le Metis de Dieu" points to a more universal phenomenon than the English title "The Jewish Cardinal," my cinephile self had more reason to regret the difficulty of procuring a broader distribution.The psychological, historical, cultural, and philosophical complexities of this make the 90- something minute running time something of a marvel, and indeed leave the viewer wanting more, while already feeling treated to an experience that goes far beyond the genre of "biopic," or "docudrama" would lead one to expect. The eccentric, often petulant man, navigating between the different cultural identities within himself while confronting the real- world challenges that history has set in his path is a full-blooded, multidimensional character and not an object of reverence.Meanwhile, as the camera travels from Orleans to Paris to Rome to Auschwitz and returning again to scenes of childhood and family, we witness a visual feast that surpasses our "made- for-TV" expectations.

I know very little about the real life Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger. I am not Catholic nor am I French--so it isn't surprising I don't know much about the man. So, in light of this, I cannot say that the film "Le Métis de Dieu" is accurate or not in its portrayal of the career and personality of the Cardinal. However, I assume it was pretty accurate because the film neither portrayed him as a saint or as a jerk. It gave many examples where he was a strong and admirable man and a few where he was pushy and less than perfect...hence their mentioning his unflattering nickname 'the Bulldozer'. For me, the best bio-pics are ones that neither strive to destroy nor canonize the subject of the film--and this movie seems to do this.When the film begins, Jean-Marie is about to become a Bishop in 1979. This move was made by the new Pope, John Paul II, and it seemed to take Lustiger by surprise, as this Jewish-born priest seemed content to remain at his post in a local church. However, he very quickly rose through the ranks of the church--becoming a Cardinal by the mid-1980s (a VERY fast rise to this position). The remainder of the film is about this period and immediately after. In particular, the focus is on how Lustiger managed to reconcile his Jewish heritage with his faith-- particularly in light of opposition from many sides, including his own family as well as both Jews and Catholics! This all comes to a head when the world's Jews are outraged when a Carmelite nunnery is started on the grounds of Auschwitz--and the Cardinal is called upon to help mediate. This isn't easy, however, as his own mother was murdered there and many of the Poles aren't particularly concerned about offending the Jews. And, in an odd twist, the Pope, for once, seems less than cordial towards Lustiger and his appeals to get these nuns off the property. See the film and see how all this works out.This is a film that starts relatively slowly and works to an exciting and very well-acted finale. Overall, this is a fascinating film for anyone--Jewish, Christian or whatever.

I just came back from seeing this today at the Jewish Film Festival and it was absolutely wonderful, I highly recommend it. A movie that takes on the identity of Judaism and Catholicism, the separation, and hopefully reconciliation of our humanity... when faced with such difficult issues as a convent on Auschwitz, and how one can maintain one's Jewish identity, while believing in a path of Jesus, without renouncing one or the other, though so many from both schools believe you should take a side so to speak. I feel very similar in my life, born a Jew, having had my deepest spiritual experiences in life with God and Jesus, but also of Buddhism... this is how I reconcile the dichotomy... A Jewish Seed, grows in the love of God, the love of Jesus, and the wisdom of Buddhism. This movie was challenging but loving, beautiful, and intelligent. I guess people really did smoke that much in the '80s, eh?