Pastor Paul

A sporadically funny indie comedy, Pastor Paul finds Benjamin (played by the film’s director, Jules David Bartkowski)—a pale American redhead and geeky mathematician—visiting Ghana to study the rhythms of homegrown music. Sticking out in the African community like a vanilla popsicle, Benjamin is solicited to play the ghost Pastor Paul in a Nollywood film inspired by Hamlet. Although he tries to beg off, the timorous tourist reluctantly agrees and begins a strange odyssey into the occult. Bullied by the film’s fierce director, Benjamin unintentionally enters a deep, hypnotic state, shaking violently and seemingly becoming possessed. What follows are efforts by some to free Benjamin with the aid of a village doctor—who practices occult remedies—while others warn Benjamin to keep away from dark magic. Bartkowski takes a semi-improvisational approach to the action and dialogue, with mixed results, drawing the viewer in one moment and repelling him or her the next. Still, the performances are surprisingly strong, and an extended scene in which Benjamin dances like crazy during an exorcism is something to see. A strong optional purchase. (T. Keogh)