This is the very timely story of the relationship between a priest and a teen who wants to be one in modern day Naples. It is portrayed as a pure, honest, innocent relationship on the part of both.While most of the people close to either of them are aware of the relationship after Nunzio moves into the church, it is refreshing to see how they treat it in an almost matter-of-fact manner. There is some minor ribbing by some acquaintances but nothing like the mean-spirited harsh torture a boy in modern America who willingly participated would be subjected to.When Fr. Borelli refuses to compromise his morals and silence his campaign against the camorristas (mafia), a campaign is launched to have the boy denounce him.This is one of the most sympathetic portrayals (better than L.I.E., up there with Man Without a Face) ever shown on screen, and is also commendable as showing how social workers and those in one's environment can pressure youths into denouncing even those seen as close friends. An important film in its genre. 9 Caution: explicit scenes but no full frontal nudity.DATE: 2002-07-18 " - ricrisci

"Sacred silence" reminds me of grainy, gritty black and white neo-realist Italian movies of the 1950' and 60'. It has the same natural, almost documentary quality, like filming life itself. The people in this movie are hardened, with worn and deeply lined faces. Their lives are nothing but hard work and barely getting by. Even the hero of this story, priest with courage to fight the gangs of Napoli is a sinner. He manipulates Nunzio, the 13-year old with the soul of 25-year old, into sexual relationship. This movie dares to tell us a story about a child molester who has some admirable qualities. He isn't just some devious animal who corrupts the innocents, but he is much more complex, as most of human beings are. In the end you feel morally appalled by his actions and in the recesses of your soul even little sorry for him. Brave and powerful movie that clings to us long after we've seen it.

Father Lorenzo Borrelli's church is located in the Sanita quarter of Naples, one of the worst neighborhood in the city. Father Borrelli has seen enough death among the young people that are recruited by the Camorra, the local mafia, that is behind most of the crimes committed in Naples. This righteous man's voice speaks against all the injustices he sees stemming from the evil doings of the Camorra, yet Father Lorenzo is a man that hides a dark secret in his heart: he is gay and a pedophile.Into this milieu arrives Nunzio Pianese, a young boy in Father Lorenzo's confirmation class. Nunzio, himself, is a young man that is different from the other hoodlums running around in this dangerous part of Naples. Nunzio, who has a beautiful voice, is seen as he sings for one of the local stations; he loves interpreting those romantic ballads that are so Neapolitan.Perhaps it's inevitable that Lorenzo and Nunzio will become lovers. After all, Lorenzo has had another long term affair with the handsome Gigi, who is older now. Gigi must see in Nunzio what he went through during the times he had sex with the priest. At the same time, Father Lorenzo is never seen threatening Nunzio, as it appears their relationship is mutual.The Camorra wants to get to Father Lorenzo in any way it can. They choose to work through Nunzio because the young man is vulnerable where the priest is resolute. The priest has two strikes against him, he is opposing the local mafia, plus his homosexuality, if known, will certainly destroy his reputation, and it will mean the bad guys have won the struggle while they sideline their opponent.Antonio Capuano directed and wrote the screen play of this film. He uses a ploy to have the different characters in the movie introduce themselves giving us, the viewers, a bit of information as to where, and when they were born. This aspect doesn't do much to advance the story, something we found a bit distracting.The acting in general, by non professional actors, fits the movie well. Mr. Capuando sets the action for his film in the streets of the Sanita district. Fabrizio Bentivoglio, is basically the only known face in the large cast. Mr. Bentivoglio shows a great range, as he becomes furious against the Camorra, to a tender side one sees when he is in the company of Nunzio, who he evidently adores passionately. His scenes with Nunzio show a restraint that speaks volumes about the director of the film, Antonio Capuano, who decided not to go for cheap shots. Emanuele Gargiulo is seen as the sweet Nunzio.Antonio Capuano directed the film with an eye for detail, something that his cinematographer, Antonio Baldoni, captured Naples seamy side in all its splendor. Mr. Capuano makes us think about the role of this priest and his church in our society and how a gay man has to live in order to conform to its unspoken rules that discriminate men like Lorenzo to hide behind his role as a priest.

In Naples a priest begins a campaign against the Camorra. He's particularly vulnerable in that he has a "relationship" with 13-year-old Nunzio an alter boy, semi orphan and talented singer. The priest in this film is both a hero in his fight against the Camorro and a villain in his abuse or molestation of Nunzio. Lest the priest be too sympathetic a character there is Gigi an older boy who apparently was the priest's last protégé who appears at the beginning of the film and complains that the priest doesn't seem to have time for him anymore. `Things change' he's told. The audience is left to judge for themselves as the priest seems to harbor no guilt about his actions and the boy says that he enjoyed the affection. This is another of those films that deal with morality at the uncomfortable border between what is rightfully the business of a society and what is better left as a private matter between consenting partners.