The Exorcist in the 21st Century

Coming after Matt Baglio's nonfiction exorcism book The Rite (turned into a drably fictionalized movie starring Anthony Hopkins), this Norwegian documentary examines the Roman Catholic practice of exorcism, which is approved by modern Church authorities (although regular clergy tend to look upon exorcists as pretty weird). Director Fredrik Horn Akselsen's The Exorcist in the 21st Century generally leaves it up to viewers to decide if this is a genuinely paranormal/spiritual practice, or hokum grounded in abnormal psychology and mass-hysteria. Vatican-approved exorcist Father José Antonio Fortea has, along with Fr. Gabriel Amorth (also interviewed), performed the rite and written books about evil and expelling demons, earning him celebrity amongst the faithful. At a rock-concert-like appearance in South America by Fr. Fortea, several young female worshippers convulse and scream, as if on cue. But theologian Fr. Juan Masiá refutes exorcism (and demons, for that matter), asserting that such priests are treating superstitious laity like children (citing Greek texts, he offers a revisionist version of Christ "exorcising" a young woman in the Bible, claiming that Jesus was actually saving her from mobs repulsed by her menstruation). One particular case is examined in detail: a Columbian woman named Constanza, who is claiming 15 years of possession. The huge pop-culture influence of William Peter Blatty's book/movie blockbuster The Exorcist is noted, although viewers will not see here any levitations, materializations, or even “orb” photos, just hear some speaking in tongues. Collections looking for a title on this much-distorted, much-Hollywoodized topic could do, um, a hell of a lot worse. DVD extras include extended interviews and a real-life private exorcism shown in full. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)