Review of Paisa (2013) by Evan K — 03 Feb 2016

Paisan, Rossellini's masterpiece, offers a more negative take on the Church than his prior film, Open City. Throughout the film, there are segments portraying individuals trying to overcome cultural differences and come to an understanding amid the chaos and destruction of war. Earlier segments are set in grim and dark urban areas. However, the church segment in Paisan is set in an idyllic countryside setting. The opening segment's narration speaks of bitter fighting in the area, and the soundtrack is full of gunshots and explosions. However, the ringing of church bells quickly drowns out the sounds of war. The location and lack of action seem to be a condemnation of the Church, suggesting disconnection between it and the struggles of the Italian civilians during this time.

The segment revolves around the arrival of three army chaplains at the monastery. The monks talk about how nice all the chaplains are, but they are disturbed to learn that only one is Catholic - the other two are Protestant and Jewish. There is a lengthy segment where the priests run about spreading the news, culminating in a priest dropping to his knees and begging the Lord's protection with a Jew amongst them. The monks fear for the non-Catholic chaplains' souls and confront the American Catholic, who echoes the wide acceptance of Don Pietro in Open City. However, this moment is undercut at the conclusion of the film when the American Catholic praises the monks for their faith during fasting - a "humble sacrifice" to save the Protestant and the Jew. He even blames his lack of the same commitment due to his exposure to the horrors of war. Despite this dubious last declaration, the American has a tolerant view shaped by the trauma of the real world that he has experienced. The Italians are incapable of having that same understanding even after the American makes it explicit. In a film about acceptance, the isolated monks are hopelessly intolerant of other religions.