The Inquisitor
The Inquisitor deals with 2 young woman avoiding the Spanish Inquisition if not for you please pass on to the right one. The goal of this micro-budget thriller is to portray in raw footage, the futility of the Spanish Inquisition through the lens of two strong female characters, feminists ahead of their time. It should appeal to both male and female audiences. Like the Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity, this film can be shot with minimal cost and with a minimal time frame. Producers will be entitled to most of the gross from the film with projected profits to be made from selling to streaming services, such as Netflix, Shudder, or Hulu.
CHARACTERS
Teresa Dalini – A teenage gypsy girl with a tragic past; she is cynical and outspoken.
Maria Pallino – The oldest Pallino girl. She is a dreamer and the reluctant mother to her sister. Gina Pallino – The youngest Pallino girl at age twelve. Her curiosity leads the girls astray. Alfred Pallino – The protective, yet negligent father to Maria and Gina.
Pablo the Shepherd boy – A conniving character who makes a shady deal with the Inquisition. Brother Paulo –The leader of the local church with a vendetta against women.
Archbishop Francesco – A religious who demands the people atone for their sins.
Helene – The unacknowledged child of Brother Paulo. She embodies the Inquisition mania.
SUMMARY
It is 1808 and the Napoleonic War rages on, while Maria Pallino and Teresa Dalani, two free-spirited gypsy girls dance the night away. The girls stop to talk under the stars watched in the distance by the devious shepherd boy Pablo. Their teenage musings are cut short by their father Alfred who chastises Maria for neglecting her younger sister Gina, then leaves the girls to go drink in the tavern.
The next day, they pack up camp and prepare to travel onwards, but before leaving, they attend a local church service in town overseen by Brother Paulo. During the sermon, the visiting Archbishop Francesco, reminds the congregation of the evils spread by the French forces, and initiates an “edict of grace”, compelling them all to confess or expose those whom they know to be sinners.
After church, Alfred and the girls return to their wagon and search for a suitable spot to sell their wares. Alfred leaves the girls alone, opting to once again frequent a tavern. Gina plays her flute, while Maria drums up trade and Teresa mans the stall. Suddenly, Maria and Teresa realise that Gina has disappeared. They split up and search the dark alleys.
Teresa finds Gina’s flute on the ground, just as she is approached by a figure in a cloak who knocks her out. The next thing she knows, she is shackled at a tribunal in the cathedral overseen by Brother Paulo and Archbishop Francesco. They tell her that she is being charged with blasphemy. She defiantly denies her sins and is punished violently by Brother Paulo before finally being taken to a cell where she finds Maria and Gina, scared and confused.
In the next cell over the girls hear the unhinged Helene kill her guards. Helene is free and she opens the door to the cell of Teresa, Maria and Gina.
The girls run for their lives, finding it prudent to follow the maniacal Helene as she seems to know the way and is clearing a path of dead guards. As Helene runs down the corridor she calls out to her father, Brother Paulo, who guiltily explains to Archbishop Francesco about his daughter, Helene. The archbishop reminds him of his place in the house of God—he is loyal to him not Helene.
As the girls finally make it to the courtyard, Gina thinks she sees her father’s cart and runs towards it. Crazed, Helene grabs Gina and stabs her. Maria is devastated by Gina’s death. Teresa must pull her away towards the gate—the guards are on their tail.
At the gate is Alfred’s cart and Alfred lying dead. Devastated, Maria sees Pablo receiving gold as a reward—he has betrayed them! Maria attacks Pablo, attempting to kill him for what he has done, while Teresa fights Helene who has reappeared. Maria kills Pablo, by holding him down as the wheel of Alfred’s cart crushes his throat. Helene is crushed by the closing gate, driving Brother Paulo to throw himself from the top of the castle. Maria and Teresa escape to freedom. Pages shown are examples of art and pages inside each Graphic Novel.