Maria’s Paradise - 2019 - 6/10
AKA - Marian Paratiisi
Onset, the young woman, rechristened Salome, boards the train carrying religious cult followers of Maria Åkerblom.
At first, Salome is awestruck, though gradually the veil opens and she sees misdeeds by other followers.
The religious practice of sleeping prophecy is shown, but it is hard to see how it grips others.
Maria, as leader, has presence, but also a taste for “nice things.” Material things.
A pattern mirrored with modern religious shepherds.
Interesting drama will perhaps yield more to those familiar with Åkerblom.
I came onto this rather circuitously.
Hans Ewers’ “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” (Side Real Press) has an appendix on the sleeping prophet phenomenon.
Benjamin Tweddell’s “Sermons In A House Of Grief” points toward another Finnish cult, Kartanoism.