Tajnata kniga

I'd want to begin by going over the story's history. Apocryphal Christian literature with an apocalyptic and visionary perspective includes The Secret Book, a byproduct of mediaeval theosophy and also known as the Gospel of John in literature. The Secret Book's content is deemed heretical by the Orthodox Church; these aspects are mostly indicative of dualistic beliefs, particularly the theory of Bogomilism. In its content, it explores the prehistory of the world's creation as well as the future history of humanity. Based on the religious-philosophical concepts of moderate dualism and gnosticism, this future history of humanity blends Christian and non-Christian beliefs.

These days, the only Latin transcriptions of this work exist are the Parisian and Vienna versions, referred to as the Codex Carcashsoniensis. The Latin translation has a direct bearing on the missionary activity of Bogomil babun (priest) Nasaria in 1170, whose objective was to disseminate Bogomils' beliefs among followers of the Catholic faith.

I had a great time watching this French-Macedonian quest for the truth; it's the kind of movie that will get you to think more deeply, give you the chance to start looking, and leave you with very subtle hints as to where the search should go.

There are many images in cinematography that linger in the memory and never cease to captivate and enthral. Occasionally incredibly stunning, frequently poignant, yet infused with a cunning, fantastical sense of humour. This story appears to be straightforward: a young Frenchman seeking the truth hidden in the Bogomils' "secret book" has the choice to investigate the "in-between" world and the thin line separating sanity from insanity.

Actors from France and the Balkans are expertly cast, and there is meticulous camera work and direction as well. Strongly advised, yet based on personal experience, I am aware that these films are difficult to get and are typically only shown during special screenings at film festivals.

The movie explodes into action with a sequence that could have been filmed by the Monty Python crew: a grotesque mediaeval person emerges from the muddy pond where he was hiding, then (still covered with mud) frantically flees through a forest. But we are in for many surprises...

That first image is not the only one that has ingrained itself into my memory: the whole movie leaves a lasting impression, full of images that stay in the mind and continue to fascinate and intrigue. Sometimes breathtakingly beautiful, often moving, but pervaded with a sly, surreal humour. In this apparently simple tale - a young man on a quest for the truth contained in the "secret book" of the Bogomils - we are led to explore the fragile boundaries between sanity and insanity.

The casting is excellent, from the major roles to the many secondary characters, and the high quality of Thierry Arbogast's photography deserves a special mention. There is an undeniable kinship with the work of Luis Buñuel: I wonder if Jean-Claude Carrière (scriptwriter for many of Buñuel's films) who plays here the role of Pierre Reymond, had a hand in the script.

I can count myself lucky to have caught this film at the Mannheim film festival. I hope it gets the chance to be seen by a wider audience.