The Cathedral (2002)
"Katedra" (original title)

An explorer visits what appears to be the ruins of a gothic cathedral. There seem to be some strange statues, though, whose faces follow him as he makes his way to the end; the sun comes out, and he stops at the edge of a cliff.

Director:

Tomasz Baginski

Writers:

Tomasz Baginski, Jacek Dukaj (novel),

Stars:

Jola Rzebuska, Maria Kucharska, Marcin Jaskowski

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview:
Jola Rzebuska	...	(voice)
Maria Kucharska	...	(voice)
Marcin Jaskowski	...	(voice)
Piotr Widlarz	...	(voice)

Storyline

Is religion the opiate of the people, or something darker? A pilgrim happens on an unfinished cathedral, with Gothic vaults and Gaudiesque echoes, poised on the edge of a cliff. As he walks through, statuary appears, and these figures hold the key to the essence of religion. Do insight and discovery await the pilgrim?

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Plot Keywords:

cathedral | sun | computer animation | light | based on story | 

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Genres:

Animation | Drama | Short | Sci-Fi

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Details

Country:

Poland

Release Date:

24 March 2002 (Poland)

Also Known As:

The Cathedral

Company Credits

Production Co:

Platige Image

Technical Specs

Runtime:

7 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Most takes show the system to consist of three bodies: the planet with the cathedral, the white sun, and the big object that eclipses the sun. The reappearance of light in the cathedral comes from the movement of the big object, and the sun remains stationary relative to the cathedral throughout the movie. Still, in two takes shadows of the cathedral columns/and or rays of lights appear to move relative to the cathedral, as if the sun moved very quickly relative to the cathedral.

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Connections

Featured in The Animation Show (2003)

User Reviews

I Couldn't Believe My Eyes

The first time I ever saw The Cathedral, I was sitting in Film class in high school. It was the only movie all year that I didn't want to end. It held my attention, from the beginning to the end. In fact I didn't even notice that I didn't blink until my contacts blurred over. The computer animation is just stunning, the soundtrack is beautiful, and the story is brilliant; there can be so many different interpretations. Once I saw The Cathedral, I wanted to watch it again and again. If you get a chance to see this film definitely see it, see what you think it means. You'll definitely have fun trying to figure out the meaning of it all.