Watch Kardec

Kardec is a 2019 biopic about a renowned French spiritualist Allan Kardec, who lived and died in the 19th century. Directed by Wagner de Assis, the movie was predominantly in Portuguese, with English subtitles. Leonardo Medeiros played the lead role of Allan Kardec, while Sandra Corveloni played his supportive wife, Amélie-Gabrielle Boudet.

The film traces the journey of Allan Kardec from a skeptic scientist to a spiritualist leader. The story begins with Kardec, a respected teacher and publisher, scoffing at the idea of reincarnation as superstitious hogwash. But his skepticism is challenged when he comes across an alleged medium, who can communicate with spirits. As a scientist, he sets out to test and verify the phenomenon of spiritualism through rigorous experiments.

Kardec's experiments lead him to communicate with many spirits, who open his eyes to the realities of life beyond death. With his knowledge and communication with numerous spirits, he becomes a spiritual leader, writing numerous books on the subject, and founding the Spiritist Movement.

The movie not only showcases the personal and professional transformation of Kardec, but also paints a broader picture of Europe in the 19th century. The social upheavals of the period - the French Revolution, Napoleonic wars, and industrial revolution - are woven into the story.

One of the highlights of the movie is the stunning visuals and attention to detail. The costume design, set decoration, and cinematography all help transport the audience back to 19th century France. And the use of special effects, especially in communicating with the spirits, is incredibly well-done.

The performances in the movie are exceptional, with Leonardo Medeiros being the standout. He delivers a nuanced portrayal of Allan Kardec, highlighting both his intelligence and charisma. Sandra Corveloni, who plays his wife Amélie-Gabrielle, is also fantastic, bringing the character to life with sensitivity and warmth.

The script is well-written, and does a great job of balancing the scientific and spiritual sides of Kardec's journey. The pacing, while slow at times, never loses the viewer's attention, and the dialogue is insightful and thought-provoking.

Overall, Kardec is an engaging and well-crafted movie that sheds light on the life and legacy of an influential spiritualist. It manages to merge religion and science without choosing one side over the other, and it has an emotional impact without being overly sentimental. It is a movie that will appeal to those interested in spirituality or the history of science, and one that will leave viewers with much to ponder.