Product Details

• Actors: Cesar Troncoso, Virginia Mendez
• Directors: Cesar Charlone and Enrique Fernandez
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Film Movement
• DVD Release Date: April 14, 2009
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001KW74BA
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,496 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "The Pope's Toilet" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Item Name: The Pope's Toilet; Studio: Film Movement

Product Description

It s 1988, and Melo, an Uruguayan town on the Brazilian border, awaits the visit of Pope John Paul II. 50,000 people are expected to attend, and the most humble locals believe that selling food and drink to the multitude will just about make them rich. Petty smuggler Beto thinks he has the best idea of all--he decides he will build a WC in front of his house and charge for its use. His efforts bring about unexpected consequences, and the final results will surprise everyone.

An alternatingly touching, humorous and poignant story of human dignity and solidarity from director/scriptwriter Enrique Fernández and noted cinematographer César Charlone (Oscar-nominated City of God ). Co-produced by Oscar-nominee Fernando Meirelles ( City of God and The Constant Gardener ).

WINNER Horizons Award, San Sebastian International Film Festival
WINNER International Jury Award, Sao Paulo International Film Festival
WINNER Audience Award, Golden Kikito and Kikito Critic s Prize, Gramado Film Festival
WINNER Silver Colon, Huelva Latin American Film Festival
NOMINATED Golden Colon, Huelva Latin American Film Festival
WINNER Best First Work, TVE Award, Lleida Latin American Film Festival
WINNER Best First Film, Best Actor and Best Cinematography, Providence Latino Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION Cannes Film Festival, La Rochelle Film Festival, Lama Film Festival, Montevideo International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, San Luis Cine International Film Festival, Thessaloniki International Film Festival, Guadalajara International Film Festival, Cleveland International Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Truely excellent film, January 7, 2012

By 

J. Robb Wilson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pope's Toilet (DVD)

After reading some of the not so good reviews (and the several glowing reviews) I was impelled to respond. "The Pope's Toilet" is a very poignant story with a subtle religious message based on a real event. I have read and seen much about religion, but this film presented the idea more effectively than most. It also helped me understand the grinding and relentless poverty, and petty corruption, that perhaps defines many third world countries. It is hard to understand how viewers living in this country could say it was a boring, so-so film. I would recommend it to every mature and discerning viewer. . .

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Touching & beautiful insight into lives in a small town in Uraguay, August 15, 2011

By 

J. Ridgway "Ridge" (San Diego, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pope's Toilet (DVD)

This movie is touching, poignant, and heartfelt, while still being realistic and interesting. It's an empathetic portrayal of some poor families in small-town Uraguay, who are human and close-knit, and have aspirations to better their lives through capitalistic endeavor after learning that the Pope would visit their town to give a speech. Of course, they learn in the end that capitalistic investment has risks!

It's title originally threw me off, as it didn't sound like something I wanted to watch. But once I started watching it, the pathos of the main character is very touching, as he strives to build a fancy pay toilet and capitalize on the predicted thousands of Brazilian visitors to the Pope's speech. He really wants to build a better life for his family, rather than continuing the pathetic scrapping out a living being a bicycle smuggler. The movie builds real tension as he works with all his might against time and the forces pushing against him, because you don't know whether he will succeed or tragically fail. (For the ending, watch it for yourself and see!)

I really liked the insight into the characters and relationships in this small slice of the South American world. Of course, it's just a movie, but if it rings true, then many wealthier persons in the developed world would envy the close friendships and sense of community that is displayed here.

4.0 out of 5 stars Yeah I like it but it's okay, January 21, 2011

By 

I Dream In Living Colour (East Coast, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Pope's Toilet (Amazon Instant Video)

It certainly is a budget film but well played and directed. Awesome insight into life in Uruguay. The story itself is so so. I recommend renting it but not buying it.