• Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket

Chicago Critics Film Festival Capsule Review – Procession (2021)

November 4, 2021 by Robert Kojder

Procession, 2021.

Directed by Robert Greene.
Starring Joe Eldred, Mike Foreman, Ed Gavagan, Dan Laurine, Michael Sandridge, and Tom Viviano.

SYNOPSIS:

Six men who were sexually abused by Catholic clergy as boys find empowerment by creating short films inspired by their trauma.

Catholic Church outrage is commonplace but, while always necessary, sometimes routine. Startled by a 2018 conference of three survivors of sexual assault speaking up against the lack of justice (one of them boisterously exclaims that the statute of limitations is the crown jewel of the organization) within Kansas City churches, Director Robert Greene (who has built an astonishing career of blending reality with fiction in incredible works such as Kate Plays Christine) sought them out and so began Procession, a devastating, imaginative, cathartic piece of art.

Rather than commit to a series of standard talking-head interviews (which I would like to stress again will always be fine), Procession centers on six survivors (Joe Eldred, Mike Foreman, Ed Gavagan, Dan Laurine, Michael Sandridge, and Tom Viviano, all receiving special credits themselves) consulting with drama therapist Monica Phinney to create short films exploring their damaged pasts in hopes of finding closure and peace.

Procession is consistently compelling, considering that each of these six survivors has a different goal for the reenactments of the past they choose to delve into. One of them is unfiltered with unbridled anger (at one point shouting, “I would rather have a crackwhore babysit a child over a Catholic priest,” a cruelly funny line but a justified remark), another is awaiting his day in court and unable to share his story but is proud to help any way he can. For some, it has wrecked bonds they once treasured. Setting up these scenes also sometimes involves tracking down where the abuse happened, which stirs traumatic reactions saddening to observe.

There’s a point where Mike Foreman is telling a story of how his mom baked a cake for the Fr. that abused him, still sending him over there even after speaking up because he is a man of God. A young boy has also been cast to play the survivors in these scenarios, which amplifies the corruption on display (many of the short films deconstruct the manipulation tactics of the Catholic Church). Seeing this boy holding a cake dropped off at the home of an abuser shatters your heart. Procession is filled with similar mortifying moments; it’s an upsetting and traumatizing watch but a towering testament to the power of artistic collaboration.

Tickets can be purchased here.

Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews, follow my Twitter or Letterboxd, or email me at MetalGearSolid719@gmail.com

 

Filed Under: Festivals, Movies, Reviews, Robert Kojder Tagged With: Dan Laurine, Ed Gavagan, Joe Eldred, Michael Sandridge, Mike Foreman, netflix, Procession, Robert Greene, Tom Viviano

About Robert Kojder

Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association, Critics Choice Association, and Online Film Critics Society. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor.

FMTV – Watch Our Latest Video Here

WATCH OUR MOVIE NOW FOR FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Underrated 2000s Cult Classics You Need To See

How Will Quentin Tarantino Bow Out?

10 Great Movies You Can Only Watch Once

The Essential Richard Norton Movies

Friday the 13th at 45: The Story Behind the Classic Slasher

The 10 Best Villains in Arnold Schwarzenegger Movies

The Essential Modern Conspiracy Thrillers

Forgotten Horror Movie Sequels You Never Need to See

Essential Gothic Horror Movies To Scare You Senseless

Cannon Films and the Masters of the Universe

Top Stories:

18 Incredible 21st Century Films You May Have Missed

Movie Review – Superman (2025)

Crazy Cult 80s Movies You May Have Missed

4K Ultra HD Review – Quatermass 2 (1957)

Movie Review – Sovereign (2025)

“Dexter In Space” – Michael C. Hall talks 20 years of Dexter and where the killer will go next

Movie Review – Abraham’s Boys (2025)

Matilda Lutz is Red Sonja in trailer for long-delayed fantasy reboot

STREAM FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

FEATURED POSTS:

10 Reasons Why Predator Is Awesome

The Essential Joe Dante Movies

14 Incredible Sci-Fi Movie Scores

Asian Shock Horror Movies You Have To See

Our Partners

  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

© Flickering Myth Limited. All rights reserved. The reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication of the content without permission is strictly prohibited. Movie titles, images, etc. are registered trademarks / copyright their respective rights holders. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you can read this, you don't need glasses.


 

Flickering MythLogo Header Menu
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket