The Mill And The Cross (2011)

The Flemish Renaissance painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder (Rutger Hauer) uses the procession to Mt. Calvary for the crucifixion of Christ as a metaphor for the religious persecution by the Spanish in mid-16th century Flanders in his painting THE PROCESSION TO CALVARY. This ascetic film, co-written and directed by the Polish film maker Lech Majewski (who also shared cinematography duties as well as co-writing the film score), is unique in its attempt to recreate an art form from another medium into cinematic terms without condescending to its audience. Alas, this also limits its audience for that very reason. It's a film that requires a certain amount of patience which will ultimately prove rewarding. It's a film meant for the eyes more than anything else and in that regard, the film can't be faulted. It's not a film where the acting matters a bit and Majewski could have used amateurs with the same results but in addition to Hauer, the cast includes Charlotte Rampling and Michael York.