Corpo Celeste

Marta, almost 13, has just moved with her bossy older sister and her overworked mother from Switzerland to gritty Calabria, Italy. On the cusp of growing up, Marta tries to make sense of her new world where Catholicism plays a huge role—at least on the surface. Through her eyes, we see the oddly comical ways in which religious faith and contemporary life try to coexist. A procession taking place next to a freeway suffers technical difficulties. An exhibitionist little cousin does sparkly baton-twirling dances for Jesus. Marta is a naturally reticent child and she is sent off to catechism classes to make new friends. The religion teacher, desperate to engage bored teens, has them sing dorky songs, saying “seeing the Spirit is like wearing really cool sunglasses.” Meanwhile, the aloof parish priest Father Mario, mired in his own crisis of faith, is in cahoots with right-wing politicians. CORPO CELESTE is a beautifully filmed, contemplative picture, reminiscent of “Lourdes” (34th CIFF) in its examination of a young woman's faith. (In Italian with subtitles) – B.B.