Perfect Obedience
The story that shook the church
90 mins
The fictional Father Ángel de la Cruz is based on Legion of Christ founder Marcial Maciel, whose long history of child abuse was not addressed until 2006 and only publicly acknowledged in 2009. But director Luis Urquiza chooses to structure his film through the largely uncomprehending, wondering eyes of 13-year-old Julián, who travels from the arms of his loving pastoral family into the austere, hallowed halls of the seminary. Singling out the boy as his intimate disciple, installing him in his palatial private quarters and redubbing him “Sacramento Santos,” Father Ángel begins Julian’s instruction into the mysteries of “perfect obedience,” whose cardinal rule is: Never question a superior’s actions.
Luis Urquiza
Director
Luis Urquiza
Writer
Ernesto Alcocer
Writer
Serguei Saldívar Tanaka
Cinematography
Salvador Flores
Assistant Editor
Antonio Diego
Sound Recordist
Lourdes García
Producer
Herminio Gutiérrez
Music Supervisor
Miguel Ángel Molina
Sound Mixer
Diego Suárez Groult
Property Master
Joaquín de la Riva
Set Decoration
Jorge Macaya
Editor
Aura Getino
Script Supervisor
Miguel Ángel Molina
Sound Designer
Josefina Echeverría
Costume Design
Luis Urquiza
Producer
Georgina Terán
Co-Producer
Talia Ruiz
Dialogue Editor