Athlone Film Club ends its successful spring season with the charming and offbeat film, The Pope's Toilet.
It is often said that when poverty beckons, creativity blossoms and that is indeed the case for the inhabitants of Melo, a small Uruguayan town bordering Brazil.
They are making their living as best they can but business is not booming and the customs police extract a hard price for turning a blind eye to illegal border traffic. Then news comes through that Pope John Paul II is visiting and many seize the opportunity to capitalise on this once in a lifetime opportunity. To these poor towns people it means one thing: pilgrims in need of food and drink, paper flags, souvenirs, and commerative medals. Brimming with enthusiasm the villagers not only hope for divine blessing, but above all for a small share of material happiness. And petty smuggler Beto is certain that he's found the best business idea of all: The Pope's Toilet, where the thousands of pilgrims can find relief!
Oscar nominated cinematographer César Charlone and screenwriter Enriqe Fernández have made an engaging drama of human aspiration which takes its initial idea from the 1988 Papal visit to Meo. While focussing on Beto's race against time to construct the lavatory, the film-makers are able to set his struggle against the larger canvas of the community's colourful adventures. The result is an elegantly crafted tale of the frenzy that ensues when a celebrity comes to town.
Bouncing between humour and gentle drama this moving story blends the sacred and the profane. It is a well crafted tale with plenty of heart and a poignant social message.
A film not to be missed and ending the film club’s season on a high, The Pope's Toilet will be screened on Tuesday April 28 at 8pm in the Dean Crowe Theatre.
Members are free and temporary membership for the night is only €7 . There will be complimentary wine in the bar from 7.30pm.
For more information email [email protected].
