The storyline follows that Kardec is a 2019 Brazilian drama film directed by Wagner de Assis and written by L.G. Bayão and Wagner de Assis. Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail, a French teacher who, when going over the phenomenon of "Spinning tables ", discerns that there is the prospect of communicating with the spirits. As an encoder of the Spiritism doctrine, Professor Rivail assumes the penname of Allan Kardec and expands, under the direction of the spirits, the five main books that guide Spiritist studies.
The protagonist does not seem to have faced any real problems. Per example, there's a scene which there's a problem to resolve and a group of people are talking about this very calm, more than necessary, and one person appears "shouting" saying "calm down!" but everybody already is calm.
The fact that it was a brazilian movie about a french writer made me sit though it and I admit it is visually appealing. Yet, I'd mention that though Kardec could've been an extraordinary personality, I think there are tons of subjects or stories that could be more interesting. The production values are very good, but the script, and in fact the very concept (especially after stuff like 'the secret' and other similar works of literature) seemed like a stereotype and a commonly overused flat idea. Good screenplay (except, the suicide scene of the medium whilst kardec was standing right next to him, seemed unrealistic), breathtaking cinematography and amazing performances. But the idea to be honest seems old now. There definitely were new elements added, but those were like 2/100 parts of the movie. Rest was plain. To conclude I must mention that although the ending wasn't something I was expecting, being a happy ending lover, I quite liked it.
24 Reviews
Nothing to watch here
luger731 August 2019
A brazilian movie about a french writer? Hell, why not? But I think there are tons of subjects or stories that could be more interesting. It's sadly because the production values are very good, but the script, the dialogues, the story itself is laughable and flat. The director tried to give us a melodramatic movie in order to to feel empathy for Karnec, but it really just makes us feel, meh. Next.
Beautiful Movie
fabiohenrique1 May 2024
Nice Brazilian Movie, great production value, great sets and decorations. Brough me a ton of useful informations about Mr Rivail's personal biography and contributions to pivotal existencial questions we all have for shure, or at least should have. For those who are transcedentalists, this movie will greatly reinforce their beliefs. For those who are not, it will rise many urgent and necessary questions, of whitch none of us can escape. An honest, must see movies, even for haters. Don't let any prejudice keep you apart from this movie. It ideals with an unseen part of the nature that, even though we can't see, touch or fell it, is there.
Disappointment
ceac1331 May 2019
It could be a very good movie, it has a good plot, but it's a terrible. The acting is horrible and the speak lines aren't even close of real. The protagonist does not seem to have faced any real problems. Per example, there's a scene which there's a problem to resolve and a group of people are talking about this very calm, more than necessary, and one person appears "shouting" saying "calm down!" but everybody already is calm.
I don't understanding why the people are giving good rates to it.
Amazing
rabeloaline25 May 2019
Photography portraying Paris in 1800 ensures the success of the film
It shows how the codification of the Spiritist doctrine happened through the hands of a teacher who did not believe in the manifestations of the Spirits.
Brazilian Cult Propaganda
deinis-7363610 September 2019
Propaganda and bad acting
nik-12-11833523 October 2020
This is a a mix of a boring story, incredibly bad acting, staged and awkward dialogue and raving propaganda for the insane idea that is Spiritualism.
In most of the Western World this parody of both "science" and religion we laugh out loud of this absurd footnote in history, but apparently not in Brazil?
My best analogy would be a movie made by Jehovas Witness or Scientology.
It is quite simply a boring two hours that at the very best is laughable absurd but mostly just appalingly bad.
Terrible acting & other issues.
julianotxr3 September 2019
The lack of naturalist of the acting in this movie is surprising. Although all dialogues take place in Brazilians Portuguese, there are a few ridiculous attempts of intruding a few key french words (like Monsieur, Mademoiselle etc) that end up a disaster. Honestly, it is embarrassing.
How can a director allow actors to keep their regional accents (different ways of Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation) when playing characters from the 19th century?
Photography is a joke... many angles in key scenes seem to be chosen randomly. Soundtrack is predictable and boring, excessively dramatic at the climax.
The storyline, however, is good. It is a shame such an interesting script ends up so poorly executed.
How can a director allow actors to keep their regional accents (different ways of Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation) when playing characters from the 19th century?
Photography is a joke... many angles in key scenes seem to be chosen randomly. Soundtrack is predictable and boring, excessively dramatic at the climax.
The storyline, however, is good. It is a shame such an interesting script ends up so poorly executed.
Fantastic explanation why we are not just matter
rosangelarodrigs30 August 2019
Another amazing work from Wagner de Assis bringing this time Kardec's biography and his amazing mission: educate the humankind that we are not just matter. We really have a purpose: learn to love and that life goes on. FANTASTIC! THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Slow and disappointing
matt-292223 November 2019
Story of skeptic turned missionary
georgekao31 August 2019
I don't like most foreign films, but this was surprisingly well-done. Beautiful backgrounds. Good acting. Decent pacing of the movie throughout.
I was already a fan of Kardec's work, so I found the movie facinating.
If I didn't know Kardec's work, I would probably find this to be simply an interesting period piece about some spiritual phenomenon in 19th-century France.
It's the origin story of a religion/philosophy called Spiritism that has become very influential in Brazil.
I was already a fan of Kardec's work, so I found the movie facinating.
If I didn't know Kardec's work, I would probably find this to be simply an interesting period piece about some spiritual phenomenon in 19th-century France.
It's the origin story of a religion/philosophy called Spiritism that has become very influential in Brazil.
Bored
jazdementia31 August 2019
Cringeworthy
david-161-2839011 November 2021
There are many high-quality films produced these days - this is certainly not one of them. Scripting is flat, acting is flat, direction, dull.
Then there is the question of the big hoax called "spiritism". After the devastation of the First World War and an especially deadly flu pandemic in 1918, people were desperate to know what happened after death. The journal "Scientific American" organised a contest to once and for all differentiate between scientific fact and fiction. Long story short: Spiritism was shown to be the hoax of the desperate that is was. It should have died a natural death then....but Brazilian film-makers seem to think it still sells films. Sad.
Then there is the question of the big hoax called "spiritism". After the devastation of the First World War and an especially deadly flu pandemic in 1918, people were desperate to know what happened after death. The journal "Scientific American" organised a contest to once and for all differentiate between scientific fact and fiction. Long story short: Spiritism was shown to be the hoax of the desperate that is was. It should have died a natural death then....but Brazilian film-makers seem to think it still sells films. Sad.
Wonderful Movie
MikeWright757 September 2019
Sleeper
pattyandron4 September 2019
Boring
dougdemelo10 October 2021
Only Watch If You Buy Into The Supernatural
stuarttomanek22 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Could have been interesting - but since there is no sound evidence that the supernatural actually exists - or that tables can levitate - not worth watching unless you are prepared to suspend your belief to a level beyond absurd. I found it laughable that Kardec resigned his teaching post out of protest at one set of irrational beliefs taking over the classroom and adopted another set for himself.
Very good movie!
carolrd_usa22 August 2019
A kind of film that doesn't deserve to be called cinema.
filipemanuelneto2 April 2024
The "film" that brings me here today is truly bizarre: it is a kind of Brazilian production that focuses on the life of a kind of French researcher, whose texts became the cornerstone of a kind of religious-philosophical doctrine that never wanted, or managed, to assume itself as a religion, although it is considered as such by many of its followers.
The person who presents this is Wagner de Assis, a kind of obscure director who has dedicated his life and (few) talents to making "films" about Spiritism, which he defends and of which he is probably a follower. I, as a thinking human being, do not feel capable of defining what Spiritism is, or is not: if not even its followers know how to say what they are, I will not be the right person to help them through this existential crisis. What I can say is what this work is not: a film worthy of its name and worthy of our time and money.
Esteemed reader, I have a very old and simple rule: always be suspicious about films sponsored by religious organizations. They are almost never good, and almost always made with the aim of surreptitiously indoctrinating unsuspecting audiences. I acquired this rule in the hardest times of my militant atheism, and maintained it after discovering faith and abandoning the "Nietzschean" nihilism in which I lived. I may be a faithful theist today, but I have not lost my discernment and critical spirit, and I do not sign without reading any law or dogma, not even those of my church. And although I cannot say for sure, it is almost certain that this "film", made by members of Spiritism to praise the man who is its founder, deserved sanction and certain funding from the organization, which has Brazil as its nerve center. Therefore, it could not be more biased: look at it ignores the way in which Rivail became rich at the expense of the books he wrote and the controversy he fueled, or the way he took advantage of the help of self-styled mediums to write them, taking the credit and opposing their thirst for personal publicity. We've seen this before: almost all religious sects today have had similar leaders. Some were investigated by the Justice, but even so, religion remains an attractive business.
My objections to this "film" do not just center on its likely connection to a "church", or its hagiographic narrative. It also doesn't have any characteristics that make it a cinematographic work: the visual effects are very poor; I have never seen Paris, the city of light, so dark, empty of people or movement. The sets and costumes seem to have been assembled with material borrowed from Globo and sound as fake as in any period soap opera by Walcyr Carrasco. The actors are talentless unknowns, removed from obscurity where they deserved to remain. Leonardo Medeiros and Sandra Corveloni, the only ones worthy of attention, are still trying to act, but they would have done better investing their efforts in a worthy production. This "film" lacks everything, starting with the budget. Maybe the "church" wasn't very generous when it came to that?
Brazilian cinema, contrary to what some Brazilians say, has its merits and its value. Brazil has great actors and competent people, but the lack of money and the language barrier have always deterred our Brazilian friends from seeing their efforts recognized internationally. Fernanda Montenegro can complain about this, even though it is one of the few cases that has received foreign attention. However, this work by Wagner de Assis can hardly be considered cinema, much less a work with the qualities that Brazilian cinema needs.
The person who presents this is Wagner de Assis, a kind of obscure director who has dedicated his life and (few) talents to making "films" about Spiritism, which he defends and of which he is probably a follower. I, as a thinking human being, do not feel capable of defining what Spiritism is, or is not: if not even its followers know how to say what they are, I will not be the right person to help them through this existential crisis. What I can say is what this work is not: a film worthy of its name and worthy of our time and money.
Esteemed reader, I have a very old and simple rule: always be suspicious about films sponsored by religious organizations. They are almost never good, and almost always made with the aim of surreptitiously indoctrinating unsuspecting audiences. I acquired this rule in the hardest times of my militant atheism, and maintained it after discovering faith and abandoning the "Nietzschean" nihilism in which I lived. I may be a faithful theist today, but I have not lost my discernment and critical spirit, and I do not sign without reading any law or dogma, not even those of my church. And although I cannot say for sure, it is almost certain that this "film", made by members of Spiritism to praise the man who is its founder, deserved sanction and certain funding from the organization, which has Brazil as its nerve center. Therefore, it could not be more biased: look at it ignores the way in which Rivail became rich at the expense of the books he wrote and the controversy he fueled, or the way he took advantage of the help of self-styled mediums to write them, taking the credit and opposing their thirst for personal publicity. We've seen this before: almost all religious sects today have had similar leaders. Some were investigated by the Justice, but even so, religion remains an attractive business.
My objections to this "film" do not just center on its likely connection to a "church", or its hagiographic narrative. It also doesn't have any characteristics that make it a cinematographic work: the visual effects are very poor; I have never seen Paris, the city of light, so dark, empty of people or movement. The sets and costumes seem to have been assembled with material borrowed from Globo and sound as fake as in any period soap opera by Walcyr Carrasco. The actors are talentless unknowns, removed from obscurity where they deserved to remain. Leonardo Medeiros and Sandra Corveloni, the only ones worthy of attention, are still trying to act, but they would have done better investing their efforts in a worthy production. This "film" lacks everything, starting with the budget. Maybe the "church" wasn't very generous when it came to that?
Brazilian cinema, contrary to what some Brazilians say, has its merits and its value. Brazil has great actors and competent people, but the lack of money and the language barrier have always deterred our Brazilian friends from seeing their efforts recognized internationally. Fernanda Montenegro can complain about this, even though it is one of the few cases that has received foreign attention. However, this work by Wagner de Assis can hardly be considered cinema, much less a work with the qualities that Brazilian cinema needs.
A very powerful movie for our times
johnironbear1 September 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Having been involved in metaphysics for most of my life I'd never heard of Kardec, but I'm delighted to have stumbled across this movie. The dialog and acting left a bit to be desired at times compared to American films, but er should not let that take away from the message, or from the value of the film. There are in fact spirits among us, that I have known for over 40 years, and not all of them are from the deceased. And as the Spirit Of Truth set forth, the description of God was exactly as I have known to be true for most of my life. Infinite Intelligence created this universe, and It is as loving and compassionate as the film set forth. This is, in spite of it's drawbacks, a valuable and important film for our time.
8/10
skyline_w8 December 2020
It could have been better, but it's not a bad movie. The ideia behind it it's great and some of the actors are very good. The scenery is also beautiful, very well made. The negative aspect of the movie is that some of the scenes are very rushed and some other scenes are very slow. I think it would work a lot better in a series, because it would give more time to develop, but, overall, it had a positive impact in me.
Poderia ter sido melhor, mas não é um mau filme. A ideia é excelente e alguns dos atores são muito bons. Os cenários são lindos, muito bem feitos. O aspecto negativo do filme é que algumas cenas ficaram muito apressadas enquanto algumas outras são muito lentas. Penso que resultaria muito melhor se fosse uma série, porque daria muito mais tempo para desenvolver, mas, no geral, teve um impacto positivo em mim.
Poderia ter sido melhor, mas não é um mau filme. A ideia é excelente e alguns dos atores são muito bons. Os cenários são lindos, muito bem feitos. O aspecto negativo do filme é que algumas cenas ficaram muito apressadas enquanto algumas outras são muito lentas. Penso que resultaria muito melhor se fosse uma série, porque daria muito mais tempo para desenvolver, mas, no geral, teve um impacto positivo em mim.
KARDEC
aurummedium3 May 2023
If I were to rate the above film on general criteria, including technical merit, the film would get 6 stars.
However, since I am heavily involved in spirituality, due to the SUPPORT of the above mentioned subject in the film industry, I give the film Kardec a full rating.
That's all from my side. Thank you to the filmmakers for this film.
If I were to rate the above film on general criteria, including technical merit, the film would get 6 stars.
However, since I am heavily involved in spirituality, due to the SUPPORT of the above mentioned subject in the film industry, I give the film Kardec a full rating...
However, since I am heavily involved in spirituality, due to the SUPPORT of the above mentioned subject in the film industry, I give the film Kardec a full rating.
That's all from my side. Thank you to the filmmakers for this film.
If I were to rate the above film on general criteria, including technical merit, the film would get 6 stars.
However, since I am heavily involved in spirituality, due to the SUPPORT of the above mentioned subject in the film industry, I give the film Kardec a full rating...
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