Keeping the light and love that "Lolo Kiko" left in the Philippines, the movie entitled “Papa Francisco: The Pope Francis
Story” further brings the Pope closer to the nation as the movie takes us back
to his younger days in Argentina
until the time he was elected as Pope.
The movie, also known in other territories as “Francis: Pray For Me” is
based on the book “Pope Francis: Life and Revolution” by Elisabetta Piqué, a
close friend of the Pope and a correspondent in Italy and the Vatican for La
Nación, Argentina’s main newspaper, since 1999.
Pique’s book has been hailed in Argentina as
the most complete and up-to-date portrait of the pope. The movie “Papa Francisco: The Pope
Francis Story” brings us far back
in Buenos Aires when as a teenager, Pope Francis quietly discovered his
religious calling, little did he know that this was the first step that would
eventually lead him to the Vatican.
The movie then takes on the perspective of young Spanish journalist Ana
(played by Silva Abascal) who met Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Dario Grandinetti
taking on the titular role) at the papal conclave of 2005. It is here that they started a
friendship that would be imbued
with the same warmth, good mood and wisdom with which the future Pope will
astonish both believers and non-believers.
It is through Ana’s eyes that the audience will
follow the long, hard and touching story of Jorge Bergoglio. Father Jorge, as he has always wished
to be called, used his position as the archbishop of Buenos Aires as a means to
challenge the corruption and abuse of the government dictatorship. Ana was there to see his toughest
battles when he gave a voice to those who had none, the victims of
prostitution, slavery and drug trafficking within the many shanty towns. Their story comes full circle at the
conclave of 2013 when a Jesuit priest coming from South America is elected on
the fifth papal ballot as Pope.
The son of humble Italian immigrants, he chooses Francis as his Papal
name partly in honor of his Grandmother for she impressed upon him the biblical
values of Saint Francis of Assissi when he was a young boy. The name Francis perfectly summarizes
the life of Father Jorge. He is a
man who placed the Gospel’s message of helping the needy at the heart of his
pastoral work.
Award-winning writer-director and actors abound
in “Papa Francisco: The Pope Francis Story” - directed by Beda Docampo Feijoo who won Best Screenplay in
the Argentinean Film Critics Association Awards for his work in the movie “El
Marido Perfecto” in 1993 with Juan Bautista Stagnaro with acclaimed actors
Dario Grandinetti in the titular Pope Francis role who won an International
Emmy Award for Best Actor in 2012 and Silvia Abascal who was awarded Best Actress
in Toulouse Cinespana and Malaga Spanish Film Festivals.
Pioneer
Films brings local audiences the story of the Pope who fearlessly fought
against poverty and corruption amidst overwhelming odds in “Papa Francisco: The
Pope Francis Story.”
