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On December 2nd[/color] UFI Studios and ShadowSoul Productions Proudly Present
FADE IN ON:
INT: CATHOLIC CHURCH
We open on a Sunday Mass. FATHER JOSHUA GARDNER (Joaquin Phoenix) is giving a sermon on love.
JOSH Love: It is like a drug.
Cut to: INT: MARY’S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM
Nathan (Justin Theroux) staring at his arm, two dots and a trail where a red line traces the vein up to his inner elbow. The two dots are surrounded by infected, bruised tissue.
JOSH(V.O.) It can lift you on high to bliss, or it can leave you broken and faceless.
Cut To: EXT: BOSTON HARBOR – NIGHT
Mary (Rachel Griffiths) and Josh are standing looking over the sea, staring at the historical harbor of the Boston Tea Party. Both are wearing winter coats, Josh wears a cap and Mary a scarf. They are laughing at something that Josh said minutes before. Mary smiles at Josh, a look in her eye. She leans in and kisses him on the mouth.
Cut to: INT: JEREMY’S ROOM – NIGHT
Sprawled out on the floor, covered in blood is young Jeremy (14). He is clutching at his head, where he is bleeding intensely from a large cut. A sparkle of light reflects off of a large shard of glass protruding from his skull. It’s a miracle he’s alive, let alone conscious. Another crack of his father’s (Don, 40s) whip, and Jeremy clutches at his back with his free hand to try and protect himself from the blows.
JOSH(V.O.) Every type of love there is in this world will do the same, whether it is puppy love, the love of compassion and friendship, or the love of a man and a woman.
Cut to: INT: JOSH’S DINING ROOM – NIGHT
Michael (60s) and Abigail (60s), quick flashes of each sitting at a dinner table dressed in sweaters and casual wear before a Thanksgiving feast.
JOSH(V.O.) In the Good Book are many tales of such love, none more appealing than that of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Cut to: INT: MARY’S HOUSE – DAY
Nathan is in the spare bedroom. He has made a makeshift altar out of a dinner tray for someone eating in bed. Candles align the back edge, and a wicked looking knife is set atop its sheath. He reaches into his bag of belongings and pulls out a black cloth that is faded and worn. Out of this he pulls a cross that is set with the base inverted, to stand upside down. He then pulls out a very small goat skull and sets it and the inverted cross in the center of his altar. He lights the candles and begins to pray.
JOSH(V.O.) He was just like any mortal man of his time; he learned his father’s trade and still lived at home as a single 30 year old. When he learned that our Lord God was his father, he set out to spread and share the love He created.
Cut To: INT: JOSH’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Josh is digging under his bed. He pulls out a small box. Out of it, he pulls a small little flogger. He pulls off his shirt and stays on his knees. He begins flogging himself. Crack after crack lands on his back, and tears start to fall from his eyes. The Silhouette appears again.
Cut To: INT: CHURCH, DAY JOSH And whilst Christ was himself spreading the love of the Word, Love is what did him in. Judas Iscariot, one of his very own disciples, betrayed Jesus Christ to the Romans over 2000 years ago. But he had made such an impact that we still talk about him and his Father today. All of this here-
Josh stretches out arms to indicate the room of the congregation.
JOSH(V.O.) The Church
Swift Cut To: INT: CHURCH #2 CONFESSION BOOTH
Josh sits in casual wear in one confessional, another Priest sits in the other. Josh looks somber.
The Altar
Swift Cut To: INT: MARY’S HOUSE, GUEST ROOM
A quick flash of Nathan’s alter, and smoke filling the room. Nathan and Mary look on in horror.
FADE OUT
JOSH(V.O.) The stained-glass windows, even the mothers, fathers, sons and daughters here today. We are here because of love. (Beat) Let us prey.
Joaquin Phoenix Rachel Griffiths Justin Theroux
(Begin Song, “Schism,” by Tool. Start during the end of the song where the drums and guitar pick up and gain intensity.)
I know the pieces fit! I know the pieces fit! I know the pieces fit! I know the pieces fit! And I know the pieces fit!
(End song.)
Directed by David Cronenberg“SCHISM” Check Your God At The Door
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