An outstanding film about faith, conversion and homoeroticism

The synopsis for this film here is well observed and elegant. However, I think the film is not only about the spiritual travails of Andrea, and not even about 'the possibility' of homoeroticism. I think homosexuality is quite central to the film's argument: Zanna and Fausto appear to be having an affair or at least to be in the grips of one if not to have consummated it (the sneaking around between bedrooms at night). However, the film is not about how catholicism refuses the possibility of homosexuality, but about how conversion into faith can be achieved both through the austere rituals of the Jesuits, and through the fire of love for Jesus encountered through another man. One of the protagonists takes the first route that leads him to the church, the other takes the second that leads him to the world, and presumably to a homoerotic social gospel in that world. As for Fausto, well, Fausto is the fire of conversion that is the centre of the film: he fails as a novice and destroys himself in a most horrible way, but in this act of self immolation enables the others to see God, or Jesus as a suffering and hideous spectacle. This spectacle makes one protagonist feel he is empty of love and worthless, a nothing, and at this point he becomes the vessel of god in so far as he has become empty of his ego. However, this same spectacle also makes the other man decide that he is full of love for men and their suffering bodies, and through these bodies of men, for Jesus. This is a profoundly radical theology and the film does not judge, but offers these two options as alternatives/equivalents.

The film therefore asks radical questions about what it means to be really alive, what it feels like to experience conversion, how christian love is not necessarily about homophobia and a denial of physical pleasure, and about how seemingly sterile, oppressive disciplines can create a profound self knowledge.

It is also about turning the meditation practices of the Jesuits into a cinematic splendour of burning images. This is a timely, extraordinary and courageous translation of faith, conversion and the revolutionary, fiery, potential of christian love into film.

And, no, I am not a christian.

So, what do people think?