Showing posts with label Dario Grandinetti. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dario Grandinetti. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Papa Francisco: The Pope Francis Story

Direction: Beda Docampo Feijoo; Cast: Dario Grandinetti, Silvia Abascal, Leticia Bredice, Laur Novoa, Gabriel Gallichio, Alejandro Awada; Based on the Book: Pope Francis: Life and Revolution;  Screenplay: Beda Docampo Feijoo; Cinematography: Kiko de la RicaEditing: Cristina Pastor Music: Federico Jusid ; Producers: Pablo Bossi, José Ibañez; Genre: Biographical drams  Location: Argentina/Vatican; Distributor: Pioneer  Films

Technical assessment:  3.5
Moral assessment:  4
NTRCB rating:  G
CINEMA rating: VA (Viewers of all ages)
Released as Papa Francisco: The Pope Francis Story in the Philippines, the film shifts from past and present timelines as Ana (Abascal), agnostic Spanish journalist, reconstructs the highlights of Fr. Bergoglio (Grandinetti) life from his childhood and his seminary life to the time he was Cardinal of Argentina until his election as Pope in the 2013 Conclave. In short and simple anecdotes, we see young Bergoglio’s unwavering desire to be a priest against his  mother’s wishes and childhood crushes, as well as his struggle to fight the injustices of the Dirty Wars. We are presented with his simplicity and humility as well as his endearing compassion for the less fortunate. Through each episode, Fr. Bergoglio imparts words—comforting for the sorrowful, sharp for the corrupt, and inspiring for the faithful. Anna’s story of becoming an unwed mother and finding God is told alongside Fr. Bergoglio’s journey.
There are two thoughts of critic schools for this Pope Francis movie. On the one hand, it is simplistic and devoid of cinematic techniques.  It puts an almost dry collection of tidbits about the Pope, downplaying the more controversial issues. One might find the film unjustly diminishing the enigmatic charisma of the real person the world has loved. On the otherhand, yes it is simplistic but effective enough because for a personality whose life is already an open book to the world, there is no need to delve into the nitty gritty anymore. The selection of events in Fr. Bergoglio’s life serves more to show the foundation for values he holds dear and principles he stands for than to dramatize them. That it is devoid of artistic interpretation and cinematic quality is true but for a man who has opted a life of simplicity and selflessness, the melodramatic treatment of mainstream cinema would not have been appropriate.
Papa Francisco: The Pope Francis Story resonates with inspiration. Forgiveness and compassion over judgement and punishment. Simplicity and humility over pomp and extravagance. Love and brotherhood over self and personal agenda. Even if Pope Francis were not a real person, the movie would have still made an impact in its messages. It presents a man of the cloth ready to defend the voiceless, the desolate, the victims of violence. The film shows us how faith is not practised just in the pulpits but also in the streets and alleyways. Moreover, we see a priest who is not just behind the altar preaching but inside the home loving, caring, sympathizing. Fr. Bergoglio is a friend to everyone and the embodiment of God’s mercy and compassion on earth. And all these have been presented in the simple poignant anecdotes that have been stripped of cinematic drama or hypocritical preaching.