“Sanctimonious” is an intense and impactful film that delves into the themes of religious fanaticism, abuse of power and submission. The story unfolds from the moment a Bible falls to the floor, symbolizing the breaking of paradigms and the possibility of questioning. While the male character is tormented by his own depression and insecurities, he finds solace in submission and control over the woman, justifying his actions under supposed divine influence. The film reveals the ramifications of religious fanaticism as it unleashes a spiral of abuse and manipulation. “Santanário” presents a raw and realistic approach, exploring the psychological dynamics of the characters and the internal conflicts that drive them. The film denounces the danger of religious extremism and the manipulation of power.
Director Biography – João Pedro Frazão
Graduated in Photography at Ar.co – Center for Visual Arts and Communication and by the Academia in Digital Cinema.Since 2000, he has been working in theater as an actor, author of theater and reenactment scripts, producer, set designer, prop designer, make-up artist/character, costume designer, sound technician, lighting technician, puppet construction. He worked with several theatrical companies. He directs a structure dedicated to Historical Reenactment. Member of the Academia de Esgrima Histórica, practitioner of Historic Fencing belonging to HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts). Teacher and Choreographer in stage combat.
He trained at the British Action Academy. In cinema he has been developing work, in the area of screenwriting, directing, production, costume design, production design, prop master. Having been awarded at several national and international film festivals, as best production design, best costume, best art direction. He directed the short film “Canção de Embalar – Lullaby” and the historical mini-documentary “Acherontia Atropos”, a biography of António Carvalho Monteiro. He is currently part of the collective of filmmakers for the feature-length anthology “Fragmentos”, in production, and is part of the team for two feature-length, documentary and historical fiction projects
Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_lVRgAackk
Director Statement
I thought about making “Santanário” to explore and challenge viewers to delve into the themes of religious fanaticism, abuse of power and submission. I wanted to bring the narrative, triggered by the symbolism of the fall of a Bible, as a bold metaphor that represents the rupture of paradigms and the opportunity for questioning.
I like the reflection on the dangers of religious fanaticism, and when portraying the male protagonist, tormented by his internal battles, I liked the idea that he found solace in submission and exercising control over women, and that he thus brought a perspective on some current practices in the 17th century. Thus, I explored the psychological nuances of the characters, highlighting the internal conflicts that led them to highlight the ramifications of religious extremism.
The choice to place the narrative in the 17th century adds a fascinating historical layer, which highlights the way in which ignorance and fanaticism were interconnected at that time. The raw and realistic approach highlights the spiral of abuse and manipulation triggered by religious fanaticism, and warns about the dangers of extremism and the manipulation of power.
One of my intentions was for the film to be more than a period thriller, but rather a visceral journey that explored the extremes of love, hate, submission and discipline, and that offered a stark and raw cinematic experience, accentuated by the acting. of the actors, the soundtrack notes and the photography, where real light from candles and smoke was used, creating a more credible atmosphere of the time and a challenge in the cinematography itself, with a filmmaking, where zenithal, 360º shots and extreme clouse-ups, which imposed an intense rhythm to the action.”
| João Pedro Frazão Director, Writer, Producer Lullaby Dinarte de Freitas Key Cast Ana Lopes Key Cast |
