LOST SOULS

US, 2000, 98 minutes, Colour.
Winona Ryder, Ben Chaplin, John Hurt, Elias Koteas, Philip Baker Hall.
Directed by Janusz Kaminski.

Not the devil again! Why the fascination with the devil being incarnate in the world (well, generally in the US and, most frequently, in New York City)? It couldn't be the theology. It is usually whacky and based on over-literal interpretations of apocalyptic texts (whether authentic or made up for the movie). This time we have a small breakaway group of exorcists who are trying to find the man that Satan is going to inhabit. John Hurt is an eccentric priest who has started a little sect including Elias Koteas as a rather fanatical deacon and Winona Ryder as a post Linda Blair survivor of an exorcism. They work on a serial killer who, somehow or other, has a text that reveals who the devil's victim will be. Now we have a variation on End of Days with Ben Chaplin as the hapless intended possessed.

Not bad if you enjoy this kind of religious horror, directed by Spielberg's director of photography on Schindler's List, Janusz Kaminski, with offbeat colour compositions and angles to create an eerie mood. It is all rather glum, including Winona Ryder, so that one leaves the cinema in a very downbeat mood.

1. Audience interest in Satan, exorcisms, the incarnation of the devil?
2. The change in interest from the 1960s, from Rosemary’s Baby, The Exorcist, The Omen films? Audiences and the issues, the philosophical possibility of Satan incarnate, theological arguments?
3. This genre, its conventions? This film taking them seriously, pessimism, nihilism?
4. The title, then lurid credits, the mood?
5. The work of the director, his awards as a cinematographer, stylish, wide screen, the use of close-up’s, darkness, his colour palette, angles and creation of mood? The musical score?
6. The Catholic background, traditions, the church, the role of the exorcist, believing in Satan, groups of anti-Satanist priests, the Satanists themselves and their belief, 2000 years of Catholicism, the chance for absolute power? The story as real or fictional?
7. The priest, Fr Larraux as an exorcist, as a leader of the group, Father Jeremy and his assistance, the deacon, Maya and their accompanying him? Going to the hospital, the reaction of the Doctor, their having the certification, seeing Henry, his inviting them to do the exorcism? Comiin in, strapping him down, the background of his murders? The psychological explanation? Religious explanation?
8. The exorcism itself, getting ready, darkening the room, the vestments, the Roman Ritual, recording the event, the sounds, and later Peter not being able to hear them though his neighbor could? The violent reaction, the priest coming out the door, collapsing, muttering? The others and their concern? Henry calm?
9. Peter in court, taking notes, the sketches, the serial killer, his turning to look at Peter, the lawyers, the case? Peter and his books, a celebrity, television interview, his talking about faith and lack of faith, rational arguments about the criminals? His relationship with Clare, love for her, plans? Going to see Father Jim, his uncle, genial, in the church, the choir singing, going to the family meal, the relations, Father Jim presiding, Peter as an orphan, the story of his parents’ death, the violence? At the meal, relating his dream, XES and the joking comments? The reality?
10. Father Jim, in the church, the choir, practising for seven years, the irony of their being the congregation of Satanists? Seven years and no baptisms in the church?
11. The role of the deacon, in the team, researching the Transformation Time? Friendship with Maya? The quote about Satan, bred from incest? The signs, Henry and his documents, the numbers, the code, revealing Kelson, his intense praying, going to the function, the gun, pausing before shooting Peter, his death, Maya and Peter searching his house? Finding the scapular?
12. Maya, her story, intensity, her dark look? Her story, parents’ death, runaway, contact with the priest, the job of teaching in the parish? The exorcism? Helping with Henry’s exorcism, taking the documents, interpreting the numbers, seeing Peter on the television, going to visit him, the explanation, his scepticism, the appointment, his coming in the car, driving? His concern, the time? the collapse of the priest, the preparation for the exorcism, the priest and the parish, the other priests, the reaction, Fr Larraux possessed, freed?
13. The parish, the priest and his fear, the other priests, preparation for the ceremony, the special effect of the wall bulging, the effect of the exorcism, Maya and her control of the priest?
14. Peter, scepticism, his office, going to the social, the possibility of his death? His fear? Going to the church, Father Jim, the story, the incest, the Satanists, scoffing, the congregation, whether to kill Peter or not to prevent the incarnation of the devil? The destruction of the congregation?
15. Peter and Maya in the car, waiting, the time coming, Peter saying there was no change, 666, Maya shooting him? Walking out alone into the darkness?
16. A symbolic story of the conflict between good and evil?