FEBRUARY 9, 1998: 

LILIES

Canadian writer-director John Greyson continues his fascination with time and memory in this beautifully shot-and-scored fantasia-cum-palimpsest. A graying bishop agrees to hear a prisoner's confession inside a Quebec jail, but is instead forced to watch a Genet-like drama played out for his benefit, through a keyhole, which then transforms into a 1912 countryside summer setting full of boys playing deceitful games against one another. While reminiscent of Greenaway and Peter Brook's "Marat/Sade," "Lilies" remains an ambitious bauble. Mychael Danna's music, augmented by the Hilliard Ensemble choral group, is particularly memorable. (Ray Pride)

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