Italian director Federica Di Giacomo‘s thoughtful, occasionally darkly funny documentary takes a look at the comeback of exorcism practice in Italy (and beyond) as she focuses her lens specifically on a rural Sicilian priest and his flock, many of whom suffer from a growing sense of unease that is diagnosed as “possession.” Father Cataldo is one of the most sought-after exorcists in Sicily and he is famous for his tireless fighting spirit. Every Tuesday Gloria, Enrico, Anna, and Giulia, along with many others, attend Father Cataldo’s mass for deliverance, trying to find a cure for a sense of discomfort that has no answer nor a name. Whether believers or not, how far are we prepared to go to get recognition for our own disease? What are we prepared to do to be delivered from it, here and now? The Church answers to this collective worldwide phenomenon of a “spiritual emergency,” by nominating an increasing number of exorcist priests and organizing training courses.

Thanks to our friends at Vancouver’s  Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre and The Italian Contemporary Film Festival for their promotional help and support of our screening.

Orizzonti Award for Best Documentary Film, Venice Film Festival; Official Selection, Hot Docs 2017, DEDfest 2017, Toronto After Dark 2017

“The documentary wisely avoids questioning beliefs, but it does force audiences to question how those responsible for shepherding the faithful use their influence, for good or bad.” (Variety)

“Revelatory, absurd, thought-provoking and moving.” (Screen Daily)

Sunday, November 19
Doors 4:50 pm | Movie 5:15 pm *Please arrive on time! Start time subject to change.

Tickets $12 advance HERE | $14 at the door

*This film screens as part of the Rio Theatre’s Rio Grind Film Festival. Sorry, Groupons and regular Rio Theatre movie passes not accepted for this event. Both Rio Grind Film Festival Day Passes and Rio Grind Film Festival Passes available at www.riotheatretickets.ca
**Must be 19+ w/ID for main floor seating and bar service.

DELIVER US ‘Libera Nos’ (Federica Di Giacomo, 2017 / 89 mins / Italian with English subtitles) Filmmaker Federica Di Giacomo offers this perspective on the psychology underlying the continued practice of exorcism in the contemporary world as more people begin to classify their anxieties as possession.