Author: Vf DVD

Format: NTSC

Release Date: 2011-04-19

Details: Amazon.ca Roch Thériault, alias Moïse, subjected his “sheep” to horrible abuse for 12 years with impunity – his nine spouses, their children, as well as two men. The sect was only dismantled when the guru was arrested, after he cold-cut a spouse's arm and had another follower executed. Moïse: L'Affaire Roch Thériault (Savage Messiah in the original version) recounts the last moments of the clan, then established in Ontario, in the 1980s. The scenario, which is based on an investigation carried out by journalists, stages a Ontario social worker – fictitious, interpreted by the excellent Polly Walker – who senses the murderous madness of the "Master" behind his affability and gradually engages with him in a merciless struggle. In fact, the Ontario police intervened only belatedly with what they considered to be a Quebec municipality. Several Quebec actors – Pascale Montpetit, Isabelle Cyr, Isabelle Blais – take part in this Canadian-British co-production, directed by Mario Azzopardi. In the role of Thériault, Luc Picard goes to the end of his character's madness without lapsing into caricature, delivering another outstanding performance. Moreover, despite the sordidness of the story, the film manages to upset while avoiding sensationalism or pure horror. We can regret that he does not try to explain more the fascination exerted by the guru on his disciples, but Moïse: L'Affaire Roch Thériault has the merit of presenting embodied characters, on whom we cast a nuanced and compassionate look. --Anne-Marie Cloutier

UPC: 807581501021

EAN: 0807581501021

Languages: English

Binding: DVD

Item Condition: Used Good