"This shoot shook my beliefs": these Cannes residents made a documentary about exorcist priests

The Cineum was packed for the documentary "Suffering and Deliverance" at its premiere on May 7. The film, which received a standing ovation from a moved audience, captivated audiences, particularly for the originality of its subject: exorcist priests, filmed in their practice.

The director is Cannes-born Jean-François Ciranna, who describes himself as "self-taught," having worked in the worlds of fashion and finance before writing novels. He co-wrote the screenplay with his partner Monia Frouda, with whom he forms the duo behind the production company My Secret Company, based at the Bastide Rouge on the Georges-Méliès campus. The release of their work is scheduled for late 2025.

What is the ambition of this documentary?

To reach audiences with sincere and bold works. After "The Stars of Shadow," this new documentary marks a turning point: that of a cinema that dares to speak of the invisible, of inner struggle... and of light.

Where did the idea for this film come from?

It was while observing the growing mental distress in our society that I felt the urgency to treat this taboo subject with respect, far from any Hollywood sensationalism.

It's a discreet community, did you have any contacts to make it happen?

Being a Cartesian by nature, I approached this project with skepticism... until I witnessed two real exorcism sessions in a chapel in Grasse. This shoot, marked by disturbing phenomena—unexplained breakdowns, a thrown object, a scratch on a participant—shattered all my certainties.

The public's feelings?

Supported by the testimony of religious figures such as ^Bishop Gérard Berrier, the film hits the nail on the head. In the midst of the election of the new Pope, who has announced the priority of combating evil, this documentary film is timely. The cocktail reception that followed allowed for a warm exchange between spectators and speakers, in a bright and welcoming atmosphere.