Procession

This documentary tells the stories of a group of men that survived sexual abused when they were children. Although we could have heard about this topic a lot, this movie tries to focus on the power of telling (filming) our own stories as therapy: maybe they aren't actors or screenwriters but you can see their pain in each scene that is represented.

While clearly pointing out the crimes of the Catholic Church, I specially liked how respectful (and beautiful) the narration of the film was.

It's always been kind-boggling to me how people can be so disgusting. There is no excuse or appeal ever for pedophilia. I am appalled at what these men had to go through. It's so sad and heartbreaking to see grown men break down crying and feeling violated like that.

The concept of this movie was brilliant. It was the first time that I heard of cinema being used as a medium for therapy, and I loved it. Seeing the guys helping each other overcoming each of their own demons was sweet and powerful. I do wish the movie talked a bit more about the effect or mechanism of drama therapy, as this technique should be popular.

The pacing can be slow at times, but there were many strong and hopeful moments, especially when we started watching the scenes.

Overall, an amazing documentary that was both refreshing and powerful. 8-8.5/10.

The premise of Procession using drama therapy as a way to heal from sexual trauma was intriguing but I was cautiously optimistic. I can see now that this therapeutic approach was deeply impactful to all its participants and it impacted me as a viewer.

Each short story is powerful and disturbing. I was moved by all the stories. The raw emotion of the survivor who lives through the cake incident. His story is titled "Blatant Lies In The Name of The lord." I could really feel his rage.

All of the stories really highlighted the manipulation that took place. I can now better understand how memories get repressed.

I hope all of them can get some justice. To those who were denied justice, know that your participation in this film will help others.

It is incredible to think that many members of the Catholic community still refuse to acknowledge the systemic rape of children in spite of waves of survivors coming forward with their abuse. Procession is one of the most powerful depiction of the lifelong trauma that historic child sexual abuse survivors have endured and their battle against great odds to hold the Catholic Church accountable for their complicity.

The cancerous spread of pedophilic priests in Kansas City is mirrored by Ballarat in Australia, where the Diocese of Ballarat admitted in a statement in 2019 that high-ranking clergy protected one of their own against prosecution for child sexual abuse claims. Even the children knew instinctively that what was happening to them was deeply wrong. Yet these men abused their power, paid no heed to morality and contradicted their own teachings.

The pain, shame and anger etched into the faces of each of these men are plain to see. As they recount their abuses, they briefly revert to the boys who were violated and there is a grief for the life they could have had instead. Alongside the depravity of their abuse, there is warm humanity in their brotherhood as they support each other towards healing. Michael said it best, "people do things for other people sometimes they don't do for themselves".

Pedophilic priests may go much further back in history and it is probably the promise of unfettered power that lured these self-important opportunistic parasites into pursuing priesthood. Hence ironically Catholicism becomes a bastion for amorality and synonymous with pedophilia.

This has to stop. It's ruined so many lives.

Wonderful stories of hope and survival. Kudos to all the survivors in this documentary, they are so brave to do this.