2022 SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!
A priest (William Knight) walks alone in a park at night–seemingly followed by a police officer (Ned Record). However, when the two paths officially cross, the unexpected becomes reality. Inappropriate Jokes Well Told Presents: “A Priest Walking Through the Woods at Night” is exactly what you’d expect, jokes outside of the realm of normalcy, but boy are they funny.
It’s no secret that there is a stigma that follows Catholic priests around on a daily basis–and that stigma is that they often have sexual relations with underaged boys. I’m not here to confirm nor deny this, but the reality is that the world is familiar with this stereotype, and it likely haunts most individuals that hold the title of priest. A Priest Walking Through the Woods at Night understands this idea, but even better, A Priest Walking Through the Woods at Night understands that nothing in cinema is off limits. As this short episode of Inappropriate Jokes Told Well unfolds, the world is exposed to cringeworthy content that is sure to antagonize the masses. There is no doubt that the narrative present in A Priest Walking Through the Woods at Night will frustrate many viewers, but I just don’t care. What is so wonderful about A Priest Walking Through the Woods at Night, beyond the simple hilarity of the entire project, is the fact that writer-director Mario Garza couldn’t care less what his potential audience feels about the film. This is clearly a project forged from passion, and the end result, whether viewers enjoy it or not, means the world to the creators. A Priest Walking Through the Woods at Night will appeal to a very niche market, and the people who are capable of accepting what the film delivers are in for a genuine treat.
The entirety of A Priest Walking Through the Woods at Night is dark–physically dark. Filmed entirely in black and white, from the opening moments understand that both the tone and the mood of the film are something harsh and harrowing–but, it’s not heavy drama that plays out, but rather dark humor. It’s impossible to veer from talking about the black comedy that exists throughout the episode, as it is the focal point of the production, but the ability to convey emotion prior to the comedy coming to life is quite impressive. Viewers know that something dark is coming, and that anticipation leads to a greater appreciation of the episode as a whole.
The narration of A Priest Walking Through the Woods at Night is fantastic. Epic voice guy–as Jon Bailey has come to be known–is one of the most popular narrators in film and television today. He has become, in many ways, the epitome of what a narrator can be, but the narration present in A Priest Walking Through the Woods at Night rivals what Bailey is capable of creating, adding levels of fun to an already entertaining piece of art.
The levels of entertainment created in such a short amount of time is magnificent. A short episode like A Priest Walking Through the Woods at Night runs the risk of being entirely too one-dimensional, focusing entirely on one aspect that, hit or miss, will decide the fate of the episode. As the comedy and the potential drama build on one another, A Priest Walking Through the Woods at Night unfolds a twisted reality that, in some ways, mirrors our unwieldy expectations of the Catholic church and the individuals involved in its success. Viewers are in for a demented journey of comedy and Catholicism that, in the right circles, is sure to entertain.
Directed by Mario Garza.
Written by Mario Garza, Hugo Bierschenk, Dean Woodhouse
Starring William Knight & Ted Record.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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