Jasminum is a mysterious film that explores the ideas and experiences of love, romance, and friendship in a religious, faith-based context. The viewer is swept back in time to the year 1619, where three mystifying and colorful coffins are housed in the crypt of a small monastery. The film is able to captivate the viewer by slowly explaining the mystery of the coffins and their inhabitants' strange scents clear through the end of the film which takes the setting to modern day Poland. Jasminum has the ability to hold on to the audience's attention because it does not reveal the explanations/answers all at once, but rather continuously builds upon itself as a masterfully crafted story. The audience feels right there beside the characters as they purse a journey of self-discovery while gaining an understanding of their own faith.
The modern day characters, Genie and Natasha, bring a wonderful sense of joy and hope to the monastery and the local town. One cannot help but to smile at the sight of the narrator, little Genie. Genie's character offsets that of her mother's. Natasha seemed to be a strong willed woman with many curiosities of her own, struggling to find meaning in a life that has led her down an unknown, unplanned path. Meanwhile Genie stays relatively simple and true to her heart in the film. It is in this simplicity that the mystery is finally revealed. This film is sure to be interesting for viewers because of its brilliant plot and kind-hearted humor. Jasminum is a refreshing change in the history of Polish film. It is not gloomy and does not dwell on a rough past, but rather is colorful and insightful. Instead of portraying the problems and hardships of Polish life, like many famous Polish films of the past have done, Jasminum is more like a fairy tale exploring the brighter sides of the human experience. It may also rejuvenate one's Catholic faith.
This film explores many earthly topics as well as those embedded in Catholicism. Such topics are desire, sense of belonging and duty, humility, and most of all love. Every character seeks to find his/her place in this world. This is an easy task for some, much harder for others. A hairdresser Patricia seeks a means to find herself a companion for she is convinced she cannot find it on personality and looks alone. She believes if she can harness the scent of Birdcherry any man could be hers. She epitomizes desire.
Three monks, Birdcherry, Sweetcherry, and Plum, have an obligation to carryout their earthly duties in the hopes of performing a miracle, propelling them onto sainthood. They feel comfortable with this path, it is how they exemplify faith and it is what gives them strength and belonging. The audience learns later that Birdcherry and Natasha were once romantically connected in the past and this encounter has forced them both to reevaluate their responsibilities and purpose in life. Monk Sanitas is of course the lovable, and most of all humble cook. This character, if not any other, should be the most inspiring of the film. For thirty years he has been the cook and overall caretaker of the St. Roch Church. He lives the humble life that a monk is generally thought to live. He is innocent and compassionate, especially with Genie. By the close of the film, he wants nothing more than the girl to stay with him so he may play with her and watch little Genie grow up. He never forgets to ask for the Lord's blessing to watch over those in his heart.
The last major theme of love may be attributed to Natasha; the chemist who finds out love is more about faith and feeling rather than scientific equations and experiments. Though one might believe to have all the explanations and reasons to life's questions and great mysteries, it is the nature of life and existence that keeps people guessing and searching. Sooner or later, if one has a pure, simple heart like Monk Sanitas or little Genie, life will be sure to reward. The characters that are most pure of heart and soul, like Monk Sanitas and little Genie, do not ask too many questions of God and therefore, do not question their purpose, their faith, and their abilities. On the other hand, those like Patricia are lost in a sea of doubt and unhappiness, that is until they reconnect with their faith, or at least something that give them faith.
This film comes highly recommended to any person seeking a fresh outlook on the daily dilemmas they might encounter. Sometimes humans have a way of putting their lives into narrow perspectives containing too many explanations and diluted rationale. Jasminum helps viewers take that much needed step back, a breather. It helps one to understand life is much bigger than the individual while being grateful for the blessings they are granted. All age groups will learn something about themselves by viewing this film, and not only once, but every screening. This film will not put crazy ideas into one's head but rather a better understanding of what it is to be human in the world one lives in.
The modern day characters, Genie and Natasha, bring a wonderful sense of joy and hope to the monastery and the local town. One cannot help but to smile at the sight of the narrator, little Genie. Genie's character offsets that of her mother's. Natasha seemed to be a strong willed woman with many curiosities of her own, struggling to find meaning in a life that has led her down an unknown, unplanned path. Meanwhile Genie stays relatively simple and true to her heart in the film. It is in this simplicity that the mystery is finally revealed. This film is sure to be interesting for viewers because of its brilliant plot and kind-hearted humor. Jasminum is a refreshing change in the history of Polish film. It is not gloomy and does not dwell on a rough past, but rather is colorful and insightful. Instead of portraying the problems and hardships of Polish life, like many famous Polish films of the past have done, Jasminum is more like a fairy tale exploring the brighter sides of the human experience. It may also rejuvenate one's Catholic faith.
This film explores many earthly topics as well as those embedded in Catholicism. Such topics are desire, sense of belonging and duty, humility, and most of all love. Every character seeks to find his/her place in this world. This is an easy task for some, much harder for others. A hairdresser Patricia seeks a means to find herself a companion for she is convinced she cannot find it on personality and looks alone. She believes if she can harness the scent of Birdcherry any man could be hers. She epitomizes desire.
Three monks, Birdcherry, Sweetcherry, and Plum, have an obligation to carryout their earthly duties in the hopes of performing a miracle, propelling them onto sainthood. They feel comfortable with this path, it is how they exemplify faith and it is what gives them strength and belonging. The audience learns later that Birdcherry and Natasha were once romantically connected in the past and this encounter has forced them both to reevaluate their responsibilities and purpose in life. Monk Sanitas is of course the lovable, and most of all humble cook. This character, if not any other, should be the most inspiring of the film. For thirty years he has been the cook and overall caretaker of the St. Roch Church. He lives the humble life that a monk is generally thought to live. He is innocent and compassionate, especially with Genie. By the close of the film, he wants nothing more than the girl to stay with him so he may play with her and watch little Genie grow up. He never forgets to ask for the Lord's blessing to watch over those in his heart.
The last major theme of love may be attributed to Natasha; the chemist who finds out love is more about faith and feeling rather than scientific equations and experiments. Though one might believe to have all the explanations and reasons to life's questions and great mysteries, it is the nature of life and existence that keeps people guessing and searching. Sooner or later, if one has a pure, simple heart like Monk Sanitas or little Genie, life will be sure to reward. The characters that are most pure of heart and soul, like Monk Sanitas and little Genie, do not ask too many questions of God and therefore, do not question their purpose, their faith, and their abilities. On the other hand, those like Patricia are lost in a sea of doubt and unhappiness, that is until they reconnect with their faith, or at least something that give them faith.
This film comes highly recommended to any person seeking a fresh outlook on the daily dilemmas they might encounter. Sometimes humans have a way of putting their lives into narrow perspectives containing too many explanations and diluted rationale. Jasminum helps viewers take that much needed step back, a breather. It helps one to understand life is much bigger than the individual while being grateful for the blessings they are granted. All age groups will learn something about themselves by viewing this film, and not only once, but every screening. This film will not put crazy ideas into one's head but rather a better understanding of what it is to be human in the world one lives in.