Poland’s Oscar entry for Best International Feature Film – Corpus Christi, will screen at 2019 AFI FEST this month. Directed By Jan Komasa, and starring Bartosz Bielenia, Eliza Rycembel, Aleksandra Konieczna, Tomasz Ziętek, Leszek Lichota, Łukasz Simlat will be released theatrically in the U.S. in 2020 via Film Movement.

Corpus Christi is the story of a 20-year-old Daniel who experiences a spiritual transformation while living in a Youth Detention Center. He wants to become a priest but this is impossible because of his criminal record. When he is sent to work at a carpenter’s workshop in a small town, on arrival he dresses up as a priest and accidentally takes over the local parish. The arrival of the young, charismatic preacher is an opportunity for the local community to begin the healing process after a tragedy that happened there.

Polish director Jan Komasa studied directing at the Łodź Film School. His short film Nice to See You world-premiered in Cannes Cinefondation competition, where it got the 3rd prize. His feature film debut, Suicide Room, premiered in the Panorama section of the Berlinale and attracted over 800.000 viewers in Polish cinemas. His second film, a war blockbuster Warsaw ’44, sold over 1.8 mln. tickets. Corpus Christi is his third feature film.