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Michael D Profile
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Re: A review, and a good one, from the Vatican premier


quote:

I attended tonight the world premiere of the new film “The Nativity Story”. It was shown to a full house in the Paul VI audience hall in the Vatican. Having the premiere of a film like this was a first for the Vatican. The woman Catherine Hardwicke (Tombstone, Three Kings, Vanilla Sky) who directed it was in attendance, as well as Secretary of State Tarcisio Card. Bertone (Archbp. Vercelli, Secretary CDF, Archbp. Genoa) was there, though not the Holy Father (Archbp. Munich, Prefect CDF). Also we saw in the hall the writer Mike Rich (Finding Forrester, The Rookie), the actor who played Joseph, Oscar Isaac, and the woman who played Elizabeth, Shohreh Aghdashloo.

If you are expecting stark realism in the film, you will not be disappointed. If you are expecting classic images of mangers and Wise Men with camels, …you will not be disappointed.

The film juxtaposed very realistic, even naturalistic scenes with scenes overlaid with classic images of the Nativity narrative, which snobs and scholars might turn their lifted noses at, but which I think should please most viewers, as they did me.

The makers of the movie did not shy from using images one nearly automatically associates with the Christmas narrative. There are Wise Men, right out of your Nativity scene and named Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar, with camels and garish boxes. They follow the star, “moving” in the sense that planets are converging,. and the star obligingly shoots a comforting ray of light down into the animal stall while Mary is in labor. The Holy Family has a faithful little donkey and the Blessed Virgin a blue mantle, though of a very light shade. Herod is really a bad guy who will remind you of a Semitic version of Braveheart’s Edward Longshanks. The music incorporated snatches of well-known melodies such as Veni veni Emanuel and The Coventry Carol. The angel of the Annunciation was suitably luminous and the shepherds sufficiently humble.

The text of the Magnificat worked as bookends in the film and, while our version of the movie was dubbed in Italian with English subtitles, I expect the final scene, interlacing the Magnificat with strains of Stille Nacht, may move many to tears.

In fact, the audience tonight was very responsive. They burst into applause when the baby Jesus was born, as one might expect, and laughed at the appropriate moments of comic relief, provided not terribly subtly by the three Wise Guys, er um, Men. In fact their humorous repartee is sets up their glorious expressions of faith at the moment of truth. I was up in the press area and there were some studio nazis from New Line present to make sure no one was recording anything or taking images from the showing. They freaked out when people in the audience began shooting flash pictures of the screen at predictable moments, and began making hurried cell phone calls.

The film did not lack suggestions of the difficulty women faced in the ancient world. The political dimension of the expected Messiah was mentioned several times. A serious thread found its way into the Nativity narrative with the occasional glimpse of men crucified along the side of the road.

I do not want to speak too much of the actual details of dialogue or portrayal of the biblical figures. Make up your own minds. Suffice to say that in the brief time of the film the script allows for some very strong character development, making them more than simple two dimensional figures. I particularly liked their Joseph, who was young, strong, and normal man striving to be virtuous and… well… normal.

I do not think you will be disappointed by the movie. I give it a biretta tip … o{]:¬)

Before the showing, there was a little speech in Italian by Archbishop John Foley, President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communication followed by a longish reading in Italian from the Gospel of Luke from the Nativity narrative by Gigi Proietti. Archbp. Foley, for his part after his Italian text, spoke more extemporaneously for a moment in English. He said, “At a time when in so many places people are hesitant to say ‘Merry Christmas’, they are hesitant to say the name of Jesus Christ, we are happy to celebrate here this evening a film in which we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, the God Man, the Savior of the world, born of the Virgin Mary. … We can say, even a month before hand, may all of you have a Merry Christmas. Buon Natale a tutti.”



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---
Nothing by force, but everything by charity.

Ss. Thomas Aquinas and Augustine, pray for us.
Nov/26/2006, 8:37 pm Link to this post Send Email to Michael D   Send PM to Michael D
 
jesusfreak DC Profile
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Registered: 09-2006
Location: Washington, DC
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Re: The Nativity Story


Thanks for that review, Michael!

A friar who attended the premiere also wrote a review for my blog, so I'll post it here as well:

http://nativitymovie.blogspot.com/2006/11/first-hand-review-of-vatican-premiere.html

First-Hand Review of the Vatican Premiere of "Nativity!"

Here is a thoughtful review from the first-hand account of an attendee of the "Nativity" Premiere at the Vatican, held this evening at 5:30 pm. Many thanks for this exclusive review!


It was a great night for us seven-thousand strong who had the priveledge of jamming Pope Paul VI Hall for the long awaited premiere of ‘The Nativity Story’ because it was everything we expected and a lot more!

First, let me start by saying how well organized the event was and how particularily hard the ‘Fondazione Pro Musica e Arte Sacra’ worked to promote it. The fact that there were people still trying to get into the already packed auditorium, attests to the remarkable job done by the promoters here in Rome.

Security was tight given the recent tensions Pope Benedict has had to face in light of the controversial medieval citation and his impending trip to Turkey. Everyone was checked similarily to the procedure you would find in an airport. Beneath the great Bernini Colonnade surrounding the outer Piazza of St. Peter’s Basilica, people had to walk through the sensor machine and any bags were put through the x-ray conveyor.

An anxious and curious walk to the Hall followed, in which the film would be shown for free, if I may add, to the fortunate crowds who made it in. Two-thousand of the seven had reserved seats as they belonged to groups and so they were assured a viewing. On each seat there was a program and an envelope in which one could make a donation for the school they would be building as a result, in Galilee, for children of all faiths. This was a wonderful gesture in keeping with the main theme of the film—the great poverty and helplessness of salvation history’s three most iconic figures—yet each gently aided by a divinely-willed protection and blessing.

At 5:30pm, there were still some people up and about, yet an elegantly dressed man walked up to the microphone and introduced Archbishop John P. Foley who has been the Catholic Church’s president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications since 1984.

The Archbishop, with a very calm and heavily accented Italian, first asked for a show of hands of all those people who spoke it. About 80 percent raised their hands. Then he asked who spoke English. About 50 percent raised there hands. That’s about 70 percent of Italians who don’t speak a word of English (that’s some of my disappointment for this premiere being translated into Italian coming out… don’t mind me!). Given the 50 percent, he said a few words in English at the end, basically thanking various protagonists in the endeavor and above all, the director Catherine Hardwicke, screenwriter Mike Rich, all the actors, mentioning those present, Oscar Isaac and Shohreh Aghdashloo. Each of the four stood as their names were read, turned and looked at all the people, smiled and bowed. I particularly found Oscar Isaac’s acknowledgment fascinating since he did it in sets of three quick bows, almost like the sign of the cross, with a huge smile! Perhaps it’s how they do it in Guatemala and definitely how they don’t in Miami! A special thanks went to them ‘for being courageous in a time where it is now hard to say Merry Christmas’ to somebody.

The Archbishop then introduced Gigi Proietti, a well-known and—judging from the applause at his intro—highly regarded Italian actor, singer and duplicator (does voice-overs in films translated to the Italian) who impassonately read the respective Gospels wherein the infancy narratives of Christ are to be found. I must admit, he gave me goose bumps!

Immediately after the applause, lights went out, and any previous rustling about fell into dead silence as light rays from the distant camera began to flow onto the normal cinema-sized big screen.

Now I must say, in this review I could give you all the fine details, and they were fine in all senses of that word, but that would be mean. Let me just say, there was something awefully similar to ‘The Passion’ at the onset, in the way the camera pans from above the clouds onto a moonlit Jerusalem! And from the beginning, you could sense that you were in for a marvellous work of art. In the end, you might even agree with me and call it a masterpiece.

A lot of energy went into detail. The clothes, the sets, the personalities of key figures, the cultures of that time all of it meticulously brought back to life before our eyes. A lot of this is covered in the clips provided at the official website: www.thenativitystory.com. I’m trying to stay away from what’s already been said in other reviews.

The three Kings are just having a ball! They too are shown to have differing characters, and not merely the men drawn to God born in a stable. They also tease each other and try to make their journey amusing while at the same time appreciating what was unfolding before them. Let me just say, it’s ingenious the way they interpreted their calculations of the stars. The gifts they brought and the way that they presented them (gestures, tone in voice and facial expressions) convey that although they were foreign to Judaism, they nevertheless had deep insight into the Person of Jesus. Each of the three gifts meant something different as we all know, and were telling of the Child’s messianic nature.

Joseph too provides us with a giggle or two. From what you’ve most probably already seen in the clips, you know that he’s going to provide us with some humour throughout the film including him speaking to things other than human and angelic!

The large audience was extremely silent up until the sudden emotional and heartfelt applause at the birth of Jesus. Joseph holds him up and weeps of joy. The mystically deep soundtrack was expressive of the all-important moment, as were the rays streaming down on that one town in Judea. This is fascinating. Usually at a premiere, every main actor receives an applause upon their first appearance within the picture. This was not the case here. Rather, it was Baby Jesus who got the first of the only two loud applauses throughout the film! The other came at a ‘Hallmark’ cinematographic shot zooming out of the manger scene where shepherds, kings and animals were adoring. The audience seemed to be saying, ‘Wow, what a beautiful and artistic version of the manger scene!’ So the cinematography, and the tones of colour which inundated the entire film have been on par to ‘The Passion’ quality wise, and those were undoubtedly some of the best we’ve ever scene as attested to by many critics in their praise of Caleb Deschanel’s work that made Mel Gibson’s work look like a classic painting.

The couple of hours or so were absorbed quite quickly. You ended up wishing the film went on with the rest of the ‘story’. But you realize that the goal has been accomplished—an effective and provocative re-telling of the birth of Christ in all its wonder using today’s cinematic means.

I’ll conclude by stating how much I wished I could have met and, for what it would have been worth, thanked the cast and crew present for their awesome and energetic work, but it was so crammed that the only way you could move, was towards the door and out. I did manage to get some pictures, though not of these four, but of the Auditorium and the people in general.

My final word: You will love this film sure to be one of those you’d revisit at the appropriate time, and perhaps even at those times when you will need a little extra hope to keep you going that extra mile, as Mary and Joseph did.



---
http://www.nativitymovie.blogspot.com

http://www.passion-of-the-christ.blogspot.com

http://www.lucyslamppost.com

http://www.princecaspianthemovie.blogspot.com
Nov/27/2006, 1:18 am Link to this post Send Email to jesusfreak DC   Send PM to jesusfreak DC
 
Marymediatrix Profile
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The Nativity Story


From the first review:

They follow the star, “moving” in the sense that planets are converging,. and the star obligingly shoots a comforting ray of light down into the animal stall while Mary is in labor.

I truly find it hard to believe that so many seem to not understand what is implied about Our Lady by "The Immaculate Conception" and Her "Perpetual Virginity". Our Lady WAS NOT in labor! To say that She was subtly but seriously undermines everything that She is to us Catholics!
Nov/27/2006, 8:29 am Link to this post  
 
SHJIHM Profile
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The Nativity Story


quote:

Our Lady WAS NOT in labor! To say that She was subtly but seriously undermines everything that She is to us Catholics!



I am not sure I understand you?

---
"My Sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.


Nov/27/2006, 11:47 am Link to this post Send Email to SHJIHM   Send PM to SHJIHM
 
Marymediatrix Profile
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The Nativity Story


Sorry - I was trying to avoid a lengthy explanation, and you are correct to question what I was saying! There are excellent discussions regarding this topic of Our Lady's Perpetual Virginity on Amy Welborn's blog in the comments: http://amywelborn.typepad.com/openbook/2006/11/nativity_story_.html

as well as on Fr. Zuhlsdorf's:
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2006/11/vatican-premiere-of-the-nativity-movie/

hopefully the discussions on these sites will clarify my concerns!

Ave Maria!
Nov/27/2006, 12:02 pm Link to this post  
 
Michael D Profile
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Re: Did Mary experience labor pains?


Apparently not...

“To Eve it was said: In sorrow shalt thou bring forth children. Mary was exempt from this law, for preserving her virginal integrity inviolate she brought forth Jesus the Son of God without experiencing, as we have already said, any sense of pain” (Catechism of the Council of Trent for Parish Priests, Trans., John A. McHugh, O.P., Charles J. Callan, O.P., South Bend, Ind., Marian Publications, 1972, p. 4).

Without catechesis, is this a concept a movie goer would understand? I understand what you are saying, MM, but I do not know if this particular problem is serious enough to detract from the movie. I personally would be more comfortable with a movie that filled in the blanks with writings by Catholic mystics like Gibson did but I am not sure that the overall impact of this movie will be negative regarding Mary. I won't know without having seen it.

---
Nothing by force, but everything by charity.

Ss. Thomas Aquinas and Augustine, pray for us.
Nov/27/2006, 12:37 pm Link to this post Send Email to Michael D   Send PM to Michael D
 
Marymediatrix Profile
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The Nativity Story


In my personal experience, as I learn more and more about Our Lady through both doctrine and tradition, I am seeing more and more where the vast majority of Christians, Catholics included, want to reduce Her to a level that is more within their grasp and to whom they can "relate". But we are called to rise above, and therefore loving, knowing and honoring the Mary revealed to us through the rich deposits of our Faith, lifts US toward Heaven vs. bringing her "down to earth."

I think that there are several items in this movie (see lengthy clips at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdfXIMluTZQ&eurl=) that create a Mary that is no different from most 16 year old girls vs. the Mary presented by Gibson in the Passion of the Christ or, more importantly, the Woman we are to venerate. In the clips, you see her storm out of the house after being told that she was betrothed to Joseph and couldn't have relations with him "yet" (this also undermines Her perpetual virginity, in addition to the labor pains). She looks like a classic snooty high schooler who's sick of her parents' authority. And speaking of her parents -- yes, the screenwriter was nice enough to call them Anna and Joachim - but are they the St Anne and St Joachim we expect them to be? They seem to be very weak in their faith -- of course, with a daughter behaving as Mary does in this movie, it's no wonder they question her unplanned pregnancy!

All of this goes to portray a very "normal" Mary -- one that we can relate to vs. one we can look up to. The Protestants will see this and wonder all the more why, in their opinion, we worship Mary. Catholics will have a feel-good feeling at the end, but not be edified to emulate the wonderful Lady described in the Litany of Loreto. In the brief clips I've seen so far, I have not seen any trace of these titles of Our Lady from that beautiful prayer of our Faith.
Nov/27/2006, 1:22 pm Link to this post  
 
SHJIHM Profile
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The Nativity Story


quote:

All of this goes to portray a very "normal" Mary -- one that we can relate to vs. one we can look up to.



Unfortunately this film was not created by a Catholic as the POTC was. And as Michael has pointed out, I too prefer for the blanks to be filled in by Catholic mystics.

Without yet seeing this film, I can not make a true judgment.

---
"My Sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.


Nov/27/2006, 1:31 pm Link to this post Send Email to SHJIHM   Send PM to SHJIHM
 
Marymediatrix Profile
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The Nativity Story


Agreed, Tony.

I am only making comments and judgments based on what I have seen on the trailer and you tube clips. I thought that both spoke volumes, however...

I certainly didn't need to see or read The Da Vinci Code to know it was wrong. But I realize this is a different kind of movie. I feel that perhaps the attacks on the Church in The Nativity Story are there as in the Code, but are way more subtle. Maybe I'm just paranoid...
Nov/27/2006, 1:57 pm Link to this post  
 
SHJIHM Profile
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Re: The Nativity Story


quote:

I am only making comments and judgments based on what I have seen on the trailer and you tube clips. I thought that both spoke volumes,



Well the clips have raised some questions in my mind as well. I won't know if they are substantiated until I see the entire film.

quote:

I certainly didn't need to see or read The Da Vinci Code to know it was wrong.



I agree, and you have a point, however I did read the Da Vinci code so I knew how to defend the Faith.




---
"My Sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.


Nov/27/2006, 2:13 pm Link to this post Send Email to SHJIHM   Send PM to SHJIHM
 


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