11 April 2023 , 18:00
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Russell Crowe's latest film has been slammed for its "unreliability" and branded "splatter cinema" for its depiction of exorcisms.
The movie, titled The Pope's Exorcist, claims to be "inspired by actual files of Father Gabriele Amorth, Chief Exorcist of the Vatican", but has been condemned by The International Association of Exorcists (IAE).
Hollywood star Russell takes on the role of Father Gabriele Amorth as he investigates a young boy's terrifying possession.
"There is actually a real job called the Chief Exorcist in the Vatican," the 59-year-old explains in the film's production notes.
"Father Gabriele Amorth was a real man who held that office for 36 years, and was involved in tens of thousands of exorcisms."
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However, the IAE has released a statement on the film, which they claim is "contrary to historical reality".
Russell Crowe stars as Father Gabriele Amorth (Sony Pictures)They have claimed that the film, which focuses on a Vatican conspiracy, poses "unacceptable doubt" as to who "the real enemy is, the devil or ecclesiastical power."
In the statement, which was released on their website, the IAE said: "Watching the film's trailer confirms, if anything were needed, not only its splatter cinema quality, but its unreliability on such a delicate and relevant topic."
They added: "This way of narrating Amorth's exorcistic experience, in addition to being contrary to historical reality, distorts and falsifies what is truly lived and experienced during the exorcism of truly possessed people."
The film has already faced criticism (Sony Pictures)Finishing their statement, the IAE wrote: "The end result is to instil the conviction that exorcism is an abnormal, monstrous and frightening phenomenon, whose only protagonist is the devil, whose violent reactions can be faced with great difficulty.
"This is the exact opposite of what occurs in the context of exorcism celebrated in the Catholic Church in obedience to the directives imparted by it."
The statement was made in response to the trailer, with the group saying they will release a further statement after watching the film.