Excellent, a Must See

To all those who have watched it: I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

This is the very timely story of the relationship between a priest and a teen who wants to be one in modern day Naples. It is portrayed as a pure, honest, innocent relationship on the part of both.While most of the people close to either of them are aware of the relationship after Nunzio moves into the church, it is refreshing to see how they treat it in an almost matter-of-fact manner. There is some minor ribbing by some acquaintances but nothing like the mean-spirited harsh torture a boy in modern America who willingly participated would be subjected to.When Fr. Borelli refuses to compromise his morals and silence his campaign against the camorristas (mafia), a campaign is launched to have the boy denounce him.This is one of the most sympathetic portrayals (better than L.I.E., up there with Man Without a Face) ever shown on screen, and is also commendable as showing how social workers and those in one's environment can pressure youths into denouncing even those seen as close friends. An important film in its genre. 9 Caution: explicit scenes but no full frontal nudity.DATE: 2002-07-18 " - ricrisci

"Sacred silence" reminds me of grainy, gritty black and white neo-realist Italian movies of the 1950' and 60'. It has the same natural, almost documentary quality, like filming life itself. The people in this movie are hardened, with worn and deeply lined faces. Their lives are nothing but hard work and barely getting by. Even the hero of this story, priest with courage to fight the gangs of Napoli is a sinner. He manipulates Nunzio, the 13-year old with the soul of 25-year old, into sexual relationship. This movie dares to tell us a story about a child molester who has some admirable qualities. He isn't just some devious animal who corrupts the innocents, but he is much more complex, as most of human beings are. In the end you feel morally appalled by his actions and in the recesses of your soul even little sorry for him. Brave and powerful movie that clings to us long after we've seen it.

Others have the spoilers already, so I'll try to make this a different thing: Nunzio is almost fourteen and really handsome. He sings for TV and a record company. He plays the organ at the local parish. He's the current lover of Father Lorenzo.Lorenzo is a priest that fights the Camorra. He opens the doors of his church for the ones who need it.The Sanità neighbourhood is as violent as it comes.Naples is under siege by the same kind of violence the Camorra has always been praised for... the southern version of the Mafia.Capuano, who wrote and directed this and his previous film, does an amazing job. Each character has the depth needed to understand the surroundings and the sad situation of a troubled neighbourhood in one of the world's most controversial cities.He shows the power of many things that are not a standard for us, and maybe because of that, we don't understand. Examples of his Latin creativity and point of view, are the silent scenes that were shot hand-held where most of the murders are shown. The delicate way of portraying a difficult subject. The utter precision and realism of Catholic rituals with his own amendments.The underlying truth of life in Naples through brief but poignant phrases. The political situation that still runs in Naepolitan life. The words used in the songs Nunzio sings. The terribly painful reality of lives that struggle with everyday life where the "bosses" roam seldom leaving society unscathed.The really peaceful moments you can rob Naples just walking a few blocks away from downtown knowing that the sea is for you.The switching from dialect to language on the fly when you have both parties at the same table. The small talk on coffee as is in real life, everyday in Naples... and the bursting city that is always on the brink of something, under the clouds of mighty Vesubius.A film which stares inside the people who know the main character. All in all, a very Italian film with a lot to learn from. Don't miss the rest of Capuano's films!

While most of the above comments pretty much describe the film, I saw one thing though, that I don't agree with. I didn't see the priest as molesting the very handsome Nunzio. They seemed to have a mutually consensual relationship. The boy went to the priests room, and is seen "flirting" with the priest at dinner. While Nunzio had a young girl friend, and spoke with friends about girls, he also seemed to care for the priest, and never tried to turn down the advances. The fact that he was not ready to cooperate with the investigation on the priest also shows me his concern for their relationship. The city street scenes and music I thought all lent to the validity of the time and place in the film. Even if the subject matter is not to ones liking, it is still an interesting film for the scenes, music, and other personalities in the film.