Bored of reading novels, weary of learning German and the even more excruciating task of getting German Gramatik correct so this weekend I decided I won't go nearer to the books, be it any. Being in an intensive German language course has militated against my freedom to the extent that now-a -days even in sleep the Akkusativ, Nominativ and Dativ scare me. My mind seems to have already reached its supersaturation limit. This Saturday, I decided to stay indoors thanks to the blizzard which has made it quite impossible to step outside. To give a much needed break to my exhausted self, I thought of enjoying a good movie with a steaming cup of brewed coffee on my couch. As I scrolled through a list of films I happened to come across an Irish film. Its title was so riveting, it stopped me from searching any further and I anticipated something worth watching. It turned out to be one of those movies which force you to question religion and religious practices. If only people could open their eyes and not blindly follow the religious dogmas and doctrines, rather, try finding the answer to the question, 'What is religion?' Generally we are so hooked to usual Hollywood or Bollywood cinema, we often overlook the other regional cinema which at times turns out to be far superior in script and plot, than those unrealistic Sci fi superhero films or song and dance sequels.

Conspiracy of Silence presents an ironic odyssey through the clerical sexual abuse crisis that happens at large yet remains unreported and secretive within the high walls of the Church. The film makes you live an Irish dream in 90 minutes and you get the real Irish taste. From cold, dark and dripping weather, to emerald landscape, cottages, close knit middle class families, parents concerned about their children’s career, a whole lot of church politics, to bar brawls, love, passion, romance… enough to sizzle the chemistry between you and your girl, hold on! not just this, there’s something more and more, that never stops …. the 'F' word, so keep your mum and dad away, or Church won’t be the only one to be screwed up today!

Conspiracy of Silence is a melodramatic film set in modern day Ireland. The award winning film and television director, and writer, John Deery attempts to unveil the ugly face of the otherwise sacred Roman Catholic Church hence, raising a big question mark on the chastity of the high priests. Verily, there is nothing more unholy than the holiness of the ecclesiastical order. The movie boldly voices against celibacy as a pre-requisite for priesthood.‘Stop playing politics in the name of Jesus', is what the film aims to convey.

Conspiracy of Silence has won many national and international awards, including the US National Board of Review of Motion Pictures’ Freedom of Expression Award in 2004, and Hartley- Merrill International screenwriting Award at the Cannes Film Festival. Conspiracy of Silence dares to bare the Catholic Church on how far will it go or to what extent can it fall to conceal its own corruption? In the past too, the Church had many issues related to the low level of morality among its clergy, many of whom even had illegitimate children. The interference of Church, its misuse of powers and corruption had led to the Reformation in Europe in 16^th century. This films brings history to the fore.

The story begins with two seemingly unrelated events, an unexpected suicide of a gay priest, living with HIV ( Father Sweeney), and the expulsion of a young, meritorious seminary student. Due to some tenacious investigation by a reporter (who wants to make it big), a missing link begins to resurface. A local investigative reporter, David Foley, aggressively pursues the two stories and sees a kind of connection between the two incidents and thus, begins to uncover a deadly secret that straightway points to the immorality in the highest ranks of the church.

After being wrongly accused of maintaining sexual relations with a colleague, Daniel who is the main protagonist in the movie, is thrown out. Torn between his ambition of priesthood and the love of his life, the expelled student meets up Foley, who writes a follow up article exposing a covered up AIDS protest that Father Sweeney had staged at the Vatican three years ago. As the investigation progresses, Foley receives anonymous threat calls against him and his family. He is being chased by mysterious and shadowy figures, hinting on the hidden dangers that await him, if he ever tried poking his nose into the Church’s affairs. The journalist suffers a setback when the editor under the pressure of the local bishop, refuses to go any further with his exclusive story and asks him, to drop it at once. Though later, the editor sends the story to The Irish Times for publication.

The high church authorities, try to close the chapter by covering it all up, but in vain. A television talk show where the church is confronted LIVE! turns the tide, and brings guilty to the public eye. The bishop earlier tried to lure Daniel by offering him reinstatement in the seminary on the condition, he publicly proclaims on TV that he was caught in a compromising position with a fellow student. Will Daniel return to the church and help cover up its lies and deceit or will he surrender all dreams of priesthood and return to his love? Go check it out!

As the interview begins, Foley stumbles and mumbles (afraid, what if some harm befalls his family?), but Daniel stood firm and fast, and asked the bishop, “ Are you Celibate”?A climax you can’t afford to miss out.

Conspiracy of Silence is a one time wonder, that gives a strong social message; wealthy, worldly and corrupt, the catholic church has failed to tackle the evil prevalent amongst the so called priesthood. Deery made a brave and thought provoking debut with Conspiracy of Silence. Why can’t a priest marry? Why was the concept of celibacy introduced? Was it made so that a catholic priest’s bond with God is a direct relationship or for the church itself to acquire the land of its loyal servants after they had died? Suddenly you realize you are surrounded by a thousand questions challenging the authority of Church. Nay!! You haven’t been bitten by the Aristotle bug, it’s the Deery effect.

Though the film is potentially interesting, but till the end you feel like, something better could have come along. Set against the backdrop of modern day Ireland, the film has many incoherent shots. Long scenes of people reading letters, and playing soccer; seem a bit of a drag. Though the subject is timely yet the film occasionally suffers from flashbacks upon flashbacks, sometimes of scenes that occurred only a minute ago, thus causing a major distraction. On the whole, it’s a meaningful film and is not blasphemous in its presentation, though Mr. Deery sure must have got churchmen fuming. It only reflects what all is happening inside the sacred Church, something which the newspapers have hesitantly reported time and again.