A controversial adaptation of Rolf Hochhuth's play Der Stellvertreter (The Representative), Amen focuses on the silence of the Vatican and more specifically, Pope Pius XII when it came to the extermination of the Jewish peoples during the Second World War. Kassovitz stars as Riccardo Fontana, a Jesuit priest who attempts to get the Pope to speak out against the atrocities being committed by the Nazis. Meanwhile, an SS officer with a conscience, Kurt Gerstein (Tukur) is equally disturbed by events and also pursues the matter with the Vatican.
Never one to balk at asking unpopular questions, Costa-Gavras uses Amen to put forward the view that the Vatican was not only aware of what was going on, but did absolutely nothing to stop it. Gavras' sense of indignation is almost palpable throughout, and he coaxes some excellent performances out of his cast. However, the director's passion is also the film's major shortcoming as Amen has a lack of perspective, content to lay blame squarely at the door of the Vatican. So much so, that it appears they were as guilty of these crimes against humanity as the murderers themselves.
