THE VESSEL
US, 2016, 84 minutes, Colour.
Lucas Quintana, Martin Sheen, Jacqueline Duprey, Aris Mejias.
Directed by Julio Quintana.
The vessel in the title is actually a boat which the central character, Leo, Lucas Quintana, builds out of the wreckage of a school which was destroyed by a tsunami 10 years earlier, the tsunami killing all the children in the school, deaths and the devastating effect on the adults in their survival, their Catholic tradition, the loss of faith, loss of practice of their faith
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This is a first feature directed by Julio Quintana, from Cuba to the United States, studying under Terrence Malick (who executive produced this film). The film was made in a Spanish version and an English version, filmed on the coast in Puerto Rico. The use of the locations and scenery is quite striking.
The central character has survived in the community, but his mother has withdrawn into herself. He is a good friend to his younger brother but the two of them, drinking, sit on a wall at the water’s edge, fall in and are drowned. But, after three hours, Leo is alive – a miracle for the people but they are fickle, supporting him, then when he builds a boat out of the wreckage material from the school, they turn against him and burn the boat. He is encouraged by Fr. Douglas, the parish priest, who came just before the tsunami and has tried to serve the villagers who have abandoned church practice. He wants to use the vessel as a symbol but the villagers burn it.
The climax of the film is people helping to push the boat to the shore then carry it, watching Leo save it but its sinking – and his mother coming out of her own world going into the water to save him and embracing him.
Faith, despair, religious tradition, the role of the priest (yet another sincere performance as a priest by Martin Sheen), the possibility and consequences of miracles.
Audiences who like this film may be interested to see the Chilean film, The Blind Christ, which has associated themes.
1. The film as a religious parable? The symbolism of the vessel itself? Leo?
2. The filming in Puerto Rico, the coast, the sea, the village, homes, streets, the church? Authentic feel? The locals involved in acting? The first film by the writer-director?
3. The religious background, Catholic traditions, faith, practice, doubt, rituals, the role of the priest? Belief in miracles?
4. Leo, his explanation of the situation, the experience of the tsunami, all the children killed in the school? His younger brother killed? His mother living in her own world, refusing to communicate? The friendship with his other brother, fixing the bike for him, the conversations, drinking, on the wall, falling into the water, drowning? The two coffins in the church?
5. The miracle, after three hours Leo rising from the dead, in the cloth, pursued? His acceptance of his experience?
6. Leo, in the village, the villagers thinking it a miracle, yet fickle? His collecting the debris from the school, building the boat? The people’s antagonism? Ultimately setting it on fire? Father Douglas, scepticism about the miracle, about building the boat, his change of heart, wanting it near the school, a symbol for the people?
7. The people in the village, the Deacon, the men, relying on Leo, turning against him? The range of women? The young couple becoming engaged and changing their mind? The young woman, interest in Leo, the dress, coming to the house, the meal, the reaction of Leo’s mother? Leo sleeping, her touching him? Her disappointment, the touch of disillusionment, hearing the noise, running to the shore?
8. Leo, ordinary, with his family, experiencing the disaster, living in the village, working? The building of the boat? His expectations, Fr. Douglas encouraging him, the people turning against him, the burning of the boat, Fr. Douglas trying to extinguish the fire?
9. His decision to launch the boat, the donkey, everybody watching, the donkey refusing to move, his letting it go, the various people coming to help him pull the boat, the rubble on the beach, everybody carrying the boat? Launched, Leon on the boat, the waves, everybody watching, the gradual sinking, sail, the boat?
10. Leo and his swimming, to the buoy, his past story about his mother swimming to rescue him? Her coming out of her world, calling out to him, into the water, swimming to rescue him, the embrace?
11. The character Fr. Douglas, in the parish, people not attending after the disaster, it is presence, support, advice, his own life and prayer, Leo is rising from the dead, his reaction, encouraging Leo, the boat, the fire?
12. The impact of these events on the village and the lives of the villagers? Miracles and faith?
