Grapevine TV & Movie

"The 13th Day" - on DVD now!

2009-10-01T06:36:00.000-07:00

Based on the memoirs of Sister Maria Lucia de Jesus dos Santos, and thousands of independent eyewitness accounts, The 13th Day is a dramatic retelling of the experiences of three shepherd children between May and October 1917.

The 13th Day, the first major motion picture by directors Ian and Dominic Higgins, opens with Sister Maria Lucia de Jesus dos Santos recalling the events that transpired between May 13, 1917 and October 13, 1917 in the Cova da Iria (Cove of Irene) region of Fatima, Portugal. The date is 1937 and Sister Lucia, at the Convent of Ponteverde, has been asked by her superiors to write down the events that she said "changed her life forever."

Sister Lucia places the events in time, demonstrating that they took place during a period of great turmoil – the First World War in Europe and the Communist revolution in Russia.

"In Fatima," she says, "we were lucky. It seemed to us as if our lives went on as normal."

Lucia introduces us to her cousins, the other two seers, the compassionate Francisco and the younger Jacinta.

Although primarily black and white, filmmakers Ian and Dominic Higgins creatively utilize color in the film during those moments when the supernatural is breaking through to our natural world.

This first happens during the heavenly lady's first appearance to the three children on May 13, 1917.

At the first apparition, the heavenly lady asks the children to pray the Rosary every day, and asks them to return to the same place, at the same time, on the 13th of every month for five months.

Although the children agree not to tell anyone, Jacinta is unable to contain her excitement, revealing the events to her family members. Jacinta's father, "Ti" Marto, is one of the first to believe the children. Others are skeptical.

Lucia's own mother, Maria Rosa (played by Jane Lesley), is both doubtful and hostile, blaming her husband for filling their children's heads with "fairy stories."

Unable to get her daughter to recant, Maria takes Lucia to the parish priest, Father Ferreira for further interrogation. While not inclined to believe that the apparition is from Heaven, he is willing to believe that Lucia has had some contact with the supernatural.

As a result of the tremendous amount of disbelief, Lucia is plagued with doubts, nightmares, and the taunts of family, neighbors, and friends.

Determined to run away and not return to the Cova, as the 13th of June approaches, Lucia finds herself drawn back, "like a moth to a flame."

"I had to return. She was so beautiful, so good. I had to see her face again and feel the love in her smile," says Lucia.

During the second apparition, the children are again told to pray the Rosary daily for peace. Additionally, Lucia is told that she must learn to read and write so that she can make the lady's message known to the world.

With each new apparition, more and more visitors are drawn to the Cova, which also attracts the attention of the government of Vila Nova de Ourem, specifically the attention of the administrator Arturo de Oliveiro Santos (played by Tarek Merlin).

The vision of July 13th is unlike the previous apparitions. During this apparition the children are shown a vision of Hell, told about the future role of Russia, and are given a vision of an assassination of the Pope.

"The things we had seen changed us," said Lucia. "Jacinta preferred solitude; Francisco became more withdrawn. We hid from the world."

In August, the children are kidnapped by the major and brought to Ourem, thus preventing their attendance at the August 13th apparition. Unable to get them to recant, he threatens each of the children with death by being boiled in oil.

While waiting in their prison cell, the piety of the children impresses the other prisoners, who end up praying with the seers.

In one of the film's most moving scenes, all three children bravely decide to face death rather than reveal Our Lady's secrets. The children are eventually freed.

By October 13th, the date of the promised miracle, between 60,000-70,000 people arrive at the Cova. There, Our Lady reiterates to Lucia that people must turn to God. Lucia is also told that Francisco and Jacinta will be going to Heaven soon.

Worried that she will be left alone, Our Lady tells Lucia that she will always be with her.

Those gathered at the Cova witness the incredible Miracle of the Sun as it spins and then dives in the sky, drying up the ground which had been soaked by rain.

After the First World War, Francisco succumbs to the Spanish influenza and dies on April 4, 1919. Jacinta follows on February 20, 1920. Lucia goes to Porto to enter the School Sisters of St. Dorothy.

"I am told that there is a language in which Fatima means peace," says Lucia at the film's end. "It is my hope that Fatima will remain a light in the dark. A light that will lead us to peace."

Sister Lucia died on February 13, 2005. The Shrine at Our Lady of Fatima continues to receive more than 4 million pilgrims annually.

Visit Ignatius.com/The-13th-Day for information and to order the DVD.

October Magazine on CatholicTV.com

2009-09-26T16:33:00.000-07:00

The October monthly magazine looks at how at the CatholicTV Network, we make 30 minutes matter. Enjoy all of our original programming, especially for Respect Life Month. Get our free magazine for more info.

Anthology: Chants and Polyphony from St. Michael's Abbey - in EWTN

2009-09-25T09:52:00.001-07:00

The album "Anthology: Chants and Polyphony from St. Michael's Abbey" by the Norbertine Fathers of Orange County, CA will be featured on a special Top of the Week on EWTN Radio this coming Sunday September 27. The 55-minute radio program will air at 10AM EST and 10PM EST.

John Paul II International Film Festival

2009-09-25T09:35:00.000-07:00

John Paul II International Film Festival, October 28th to November 7th, 2009, Miami, Florida.

From the website JP2FilmFestival.com:

The John Paul II International Film Festival™ is modeled after the views and ideals of the late pope, whom we affectionately refer to as JP2. The festival will feature films that celebrate life by acknowledging the strengths, struggles, and triumphs we experience when striving to give meaning to our existence. The filmmakers showcased in our festival are filmmakers that have slipped under the radar, filmmakers who are using their talent to give back to the Ultimate Creator. We want to foster and encourage art that brings the Word of God to life. Our festival will give exposure to talented filmmakers from all faiths, united to give the festival’s audience an opportunity to experience the filmmakers’ ultimate expression of their religious beliefs; therefore becoming a part of JP 2’s call for a new evangelization.

The festival will be an annual event where families, couples, singles, people of all ages and cultures can experience the power of God through film, music, and communion. The weekend film festival will showcase the latest in faith-based films, and other artistic expressions that support the values and virtues that made JP2 so loved in the world by Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

SCHEDULE

October 28, 2009
Title: John Paul II International Film Festival Final Prayer Meeting featuring Rosary Stars
Time: 8:00pm-10:00pm

Location: Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church Parish Hall (PENDING)
Address: 11291 SW 142nd Ave., Miami, FL 33186
Phone: (305) 386-4121
Admission: Free

Description: It has become a tradition that on the last Wednesday of ever month the JP2 crew invites members of the community to pray for the successes of the John Paul II International Film Festival. October 28th, 2009 will mark the final prayer meeting the day before the festival’s opening night. In honor of the festival the prayer meeting will host the screening of “Rosary Stars” featuring the talents of J. Omar Castro, Alejandro Monteverde, Chris Kramer, Samia Doumit, and Eduardo Verastegui. Join us as we pray the Glorious Mysteries along side with Special Guests.

October 29, 2009
Title: John Paul II International Film Festival Opening Night Film and Reception
Time: Reception 7:00pm-8:00pm Film, The Mighty Macs 8:30pm

Location: The Cobb’s Cinebistro Dolphin Mall
Address: 11401 NW 12th St., Miami, FL 33172
Phone: (305) 455-7374
Admission: General admission of $15 (Ticket price includes movie and reception)

Description: Join us for a dessert reception in honor of our opening night sponsored by Starbucks Coffee.

October 30, 2009
Film: TBA
Time: 9:00pm

Location: FIU College of Law
Address: University Park Campus, Rafael Diaz-Balart Hall, RDB 1100, Miami, FL 33199

October 31, 2009

Film: Duska
Time: 2:00pm
Location: Just the Funny Theater
Address: 3119 Coral Way, Miami, FL 33145
Phone: (305) 693-8669

Film: Bella
Time: 4:00pm
Location: FIU Graham Center, GC 140
Address: 11200 SW 8th St. University Park GC 140, Miami, FL 33199

Film: Triumph of the Spirit: 14 Short Films
Time: 5:30pm
Location: Just the Funny Theater
Address: 3119 Coral Way, Miami, FL 33145
Phone: (305) 693-8669

Film: The 13th Day
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Frost Art Museum
Address: 10975 SW 17th St. , Miami, FL 33199
Phone: (305) 348-2890

Film: After the Truth
Time: 8:30pm
Location: Just the Funny Theater
Address: 3119 Coral Way, Miami, FL 33145
Phone: (305)693-8669

Film: The Wager
Time: 8:30pm
Location: FIU Graham Center, GC 140
Address: 11200 SW 8th St. University Park GC 140, Miami, FL 33199

November 1, 2009

Film: BandSlam
Time: 7:30pm
Location: Frost Art Museum
Address: 10975 SW 17th St., Miami, FL 33199
Phone: (305) 348-2890

November 3, 2009

Title: Christians in the Movies: A Century of Saint and Sinners
Guest Speaker: Peter Dans, Author
Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Frost Art Museum, 10975 SW 17th St., Miami, FL 33199
Phone:(305)348-2890
Admission: Free; Donations accepted
Description: Join us Dr. Peter Dans from John Hopkins University School of Medicine walks us through “a century of Saints and Sinners” in film. A Q&A will follow the talk along with refreshments.

November 5, 2009

Film: The Birth of Freedom
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Belen Jesuit’s Roca Theater, 500 SW 127th Ave., Miami, FL 33184
Phone: (786) 621-4624

Film: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Time: 8:00pm
Location: Dave and Mary Alper JCC, 11155 SW 112th Ave., Miami, FL 33176
Phone: (305) 271-9000

Film: Faith Like Potatoes
Time: 8:15pm
Location: Manuel Artime Theater, 900 SW 1st Ave., Miami, FL 33130
Phone: (305) 575-5057

November 6, 2009

Film: Taking Chance
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Belen Jesuit’s Roca Theater, 500 SW 127th Ave., Miami, FL 33184
Phone: (786) 621-4624
Admission: Free; Donations accepted

Film: Humanitarian Double Feature: The Water Project and As We Forgive
Time: 8:00pm
Location: Frost Art Museum, 10975 SW 17th St., Miami, FL 33199
Phone: (305) 348-2890

November 7, 2009

Film: Faith in Politics Double Feature: God in China and Road of Hope
Time: 1:30pm
Location: Just the Funny Theater, 3119 Coral Way, Miami, FL 33145
Phone: (305) 693-8669

Film: Testimony
Time: 3:15pm
Location: Belen Jesuit’s Roca Theater, 500 SW 127th Ave., Miami, FL 33184
Phone: (786) 621-4624

Title: John Paul II International Film Festival Closing Night Film: The Human Experience
Time: 7:00pm
Location: FIU College of Law
University Park Campus, Rafael Diaz-Balart Hall, RDB 1100, Miami, FL 33199

Title: John Paul II International Film Festival Closing Night Reception
Time: 9:30-11:30pm
Location: FIU College of Business
11200 SW 8th St, College of Business Complex, Room 232, Miami, FL 33199
Description: Join us for our closing night reception where we will honor our filmmakers and celebrate the 1st annual John Paul II International Film Festival. It will be an evening of music from local artists, awards, hors d’oeuvres, and refreshments.

Augustine

2009-09-25T09:30:00.001-07:00

While the greatest Empire in history is on the brink of a precipice, one man fearlessly searches for the meaning of his life and that of the men and women of his time.

The North African city of Hippo is besieged by the Vandals, the elderly bishop Augustine sends his friend and brother Alipius to try and ask Geiseric to mediate peace negotiations.

Alipius tells the barbarian the story of Augustine's life and, discovering it is mysteriously linked to his won, Geiseric gives up the idea of destroying the city.

Learn more about this movie at LuxVide.it/en/augustine-49.html.