First Radio Report

Listen report here: http://voiceofrussia.com/us/2013_09_18/Film-review-of-Philomena-5757/

The movie drama named „Philomena“ made by a British director Stephen Frears, took high awards at the Venice and Toronto film festivals. This true story tells of a real Irish woman, named Philomena, whose role is played by Judi Dench. Philomena had her child taken away from her and transfered abroad with the blessing of the Irish Catholic priests, in other words, adopted by American step-parents back in the 1950s, and here the story unfolds. What is remarkable, the movie brings together the destinies of Ireland, the United States, Britain and Russia.

Martin Sixsmith, played by Steve Coogan, a former Moscow correspondent of a British publication, becomes one of the central character by helping Philomena to find tracks of her son. The movie director probably rubbed salt into the wounds of the church, when he confessed he wanted the Pope to watch what his church’s members were up to. By making that suggestion he clearly outdid Mr. Sixsmith in a sometimes cruel professional cynicism.

In the audience, there was a lot of emotions, tears and applause. In the media, a lot of politically correct praise and mild criticism of the already embattled church.

And even while the jury of the Film Festival in Venice, headed by the famous director Bernardo Bertolucci, gave awards to the screenplay and Judy Dench (Philomena) alone.

The American Cinema Academy is expected to be somewhat more generous. By February, critics are sure, Philomena will bring an Oscar to its maker.