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
Originally published November 4, 2021. Updated November 3, 2021.
