Blog post about White Elephant

Thanks, it was an interesting read, a good summary of the film & it was enlightening to view the unfinished hospital as a metaphor for the stunted development of the slum as a whole- and it occurred to me that the failure to pay the builders emphasises the continued failure by the next generation of politicians to address these issues.

For a film dealing with priests, I didn't find it particularly spiritual, moments of transcendence (Bresson), but then I actually think it's a film about 'practical action' & about the church/priests taking the side of the people in the fight against poverty, crime & violence.

I do agree with the review that the film did contain a number of plots/sub-plots that make it feel at times disjointed. It was clear that Nicolas & Luciana were attracted to each other very early on (telegraphed) but their relationship was based on mutual support, a partnership, and their relationship as something deep & personal & maybe a comment on the church's attitude to celibate priests. Luciana, a social worker, is very much the secular version of the priests, determined to change people's lives for the better but prone to the same doubts.

I think Cruz, the informer, was actually an undercover policeman - the cap on his coffin. I suppose the drug gangs made the connection between his 'sudden' departure & the arrest of Sandoval, a gang leader.

Regarding the background to the film, it's interesting that the Catholic Church has since elected its first Latin American, and specifically Argentinean, Pope who has a reputation for supporting the poor.

I actually think the film shows what the Catholic Church must do if it is remain of value in the 21st century. Engage with those in need and be forgiving of 'sinners'. The emphasis was less on 'sin', but on 'faith' as Nicolas - I think - utters during a service in the church, a faith based less on judging people and more on maintaining one's faith & hope in a desperate situation.