Watch The Confessional

The Confessional is a historical drama set in 17th century Quebec, directed by Robert Lepage, and released in 1995. The film stars Lothaire Bluteau as a Jesuit priest named Father Pierre Lamontagne, Patrick Goyette as an Indigenous boy named Daniel, and Jean-Louis Millette as a mysterious and wealthy man named Alexander. The movie centers around Father Lamontagne, who discovers a mysterious writing on a rock in the Quebec wilderness. The writing leads him to a group of Indigenous people who are being forced to convert to Christianity by the French colonizers. Father Lamontagne becomes increasingly troubled by the violent methods used to convert them, and starts to question his own faith.

Throughout the film, Father Lamontagne is haunted by a traumatic event from his past, and his guilt over it drives him to try and help Daniel escape from the Jesuit-run school where he is being held captive. Daniel becomes a surrogate for Father Lamontagne’s own guilt and trauma, representing the cultural and spiritual genocide being waged by the colonizers against the Indigenous people.

The Confessional is a highly symbolic film, exploring themes of guilt, trauma, imperialism, and religion. It is shot in a highly stylized manner, with stunning cinematography and visual effects that transport the viewer to the harsh, beautiful landscape of 17th century Quebec. The film’s use of landscape and architecture is particularly striking, with the cliff faces of the Saint-Lawrence River and the grandiose Catholic cathedrals serving as potent symbols of the conflicting forces at play in the film.

At its heart, The Confessional is a story about the struggle for spiritual and cultural autonomy in the face of oppressive forces. The film takes a hard look at the role of religion in the colonization of the Americas, and the devastating impacts that this colonization had on the lives of Indigenous people. While Father Lamontagne is initially presented as a sympathetic character, the film ultimately questions the role of Christianity in the colonial project, and the ways in which it was used to justify genocidal policies against Indigenous communities.

The Confessional is a haunting and powerful film, driven by strong performances from its lead actors and a visually striking style that immerses the viewer in the world of 17th century Quebec. While its themes are heavy and its subject matter is difficult, the film is ultimately a tribute to the resilience of Indigenous communities in the face of centuries of persecution and oppression. The Confessional is a must-see for anyone interested in history, religion, or the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights.