Sister Rose's Passion probably owes most of its success to its subject, Sister Rose Thering, an 84 year old Dominican nun who is one tough cookie. She has dedicated her life to changing the Catholic Church's teachings about Jesus and the Jewish people and fighting anti-Semitism. This is an interesting and difficult stance for a Catholic nun to take, and surprisingly to some she has been fought every step of the way by her superiors and peers.
The documentary succeeded because it allowed the "character" of Sister Rose to take the forefront throughout the film through her personal commentary and lectures. It was most likely very difficult for the filmmakers to gain access to information on the Catholic Church relating to this issue, but they presented solid evidence to back up the story they were telling. The filmmakers also managed to maintain an objective distance from their subject.
It is not surprising that this film was nominated for an Academy Award. Not only was I pulled into the film by Sister Rose's enormous personality, but the documentary also managed to play on the theme of the power of the individual against society without appearing cheesy in the least. Sister Rose's determination succeeded in changing Church doctrine. Anyone who submits to feeling powerless in any situation should keep her story in mind.
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