The Crimes of Padre Amaro

The Crimes of Padre Amaro by Carlos Carrera is a film I can definitely strongly relate to and be drawn in by. I was raised Catholic and currently still practice Catholicism during my time in college. I can certainly see why many hispanics in Mexico viewed this film as controversial while knowing Catholicism has always been a highly practiced religion in Mexico in the past and still today. As I can understand individuals concerns about the Catholic Church and many people are entitled to their own opinions on it, I do think it might have been a little too over criticized. I have a difficult time understanding why Carrera felt the need to make an entire fictional film about bashing the Catholic Church. I do not have much to say about this film and Carrera’s work as it seems too overly offensive for my liking. Despite this I will acknowledge the fact that he was able to produce a melodramatic tone that allowed for increased emotion through the relationship between Amaro and Amelia. His use of low lighting and strong interactions with the characters allows for me to really empathize even further. If anything it brings out an almost feministic side to myself. It goes to show that men can get away with getting a woman pregnant and navigate around taking responsibility for their actions. The film ending with the death of Amelia and her baby as well as Amaro not even taking the blame, left me upset and confused. All I can ask myself is why would someone make an ending so tragic? All in all, I did not agree with Carrera in the making of this film, I am sure he was going somewhere with it or might of had a deeper meaning, but I am just not seeing it.