ROME, Monday, March 14, 2011 ( ZENIT.org) .- On March 25 debuts in Spain (in May in the U.S.) film "You'll find Dragons in which Saint Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei, has become one of the characters principal of a film set in large part during the English civil war.
Having interviewed the director, Roland Joffe (who has directed films like "The Mission", "The Killing Fields" or "City of Joy"), ZENIT wanted to know the opinion of Opus Dei on this production.
To do this, we interviewed Marta Manzi, working since 1992 in the Department of Communication of Opus Dei in Rome, where she deals relations with international media.
Mother of seven children, is also a professor of "Anthropology of difference" at the Pontifical University of Santa Cruz. Attentive to the developments of cinema, working with an Italian production in the analysis of screenplays.
- Do you like "Find the Dragon " ? What was your first reaction to a film that presents the founder of Opus Dei among its main characters?
Marta Manzi: I have learned much of the lucid gaze that a filmmaker who is declaring unbeliever issues of Christian faith and, more specifically, with the life of Saint Josemaría and the Origins of Opus Dei. Joffe art form expresses deep spiritual realities.
From the standpoint of the film, I think it is a film rich in content and emotion. Roland Joffe's script speaks to all: through the parallel lives of Josemaría Escrivá (Charlie Cox) and Manuel Torres (Wes Bentley), captures the attention and challenges on issues like love, parenthood, the possibility of giving a different direction to your life and, above all, an issue that seems new in the present narrative: forgiveness. Raises many issues that, once completed the screening, is kept alive in memory.
As someone who tries to convey the reality of Opus Dei, I say, now my turn to complete the picture, and provide direct knowledge of the real saint and his message.
- How true to reality the portrayal of St. Josemaría Roland Joffe?
Marta Manzi: The film, in my opinion, gives a compelling face to the priest that I've seen in his earlier writings of youth, such as "Road" and "Santo Rosario." With his artistic approach, Joffe helps me see a new way the message I try to live for 40 years.
- So the work will help in the dissemination of "Dragons find" ?
Marta Manzi: I know producers are showing the bishops, priests and opinion leaders, who appreciate its message about the renewing power of forgiveness and the image conveyed by the priesthood, and recommend it to others, and also, of course, people from the Work, and numerous social and educational institutions inspired by the message of St. Josemaría. The vast majority liked a lot and are encouraging with presentations, screenings, debates about the film and other initiatives. But perhaps there are other members of Opus Dei you expect anything else from the movie: probably, there will be many opinions and attitudes, the film as there are people in the Work.
- From their point of view, can we say that the part relating to St Josemaría is historically verifiable?
Marta Manzi: The majority of events described on St. Josemaria correspond to episodes documented and verifiable therefore, at the same time, it is clear that some of the situations and several of the characters with which it interacts are recreations of the director and screenwriter.
not easy to portray a person in two-hour movie, so it is necessary to take artistic license. We give you an example: the young Josemaría did not accompany the death of the Jew Honorio appearing in the film (Derek Jacobi), but it is well documented that assisted in the deaths of many patients in hospitals and suburbs of Madrid, in addition, words the young priest said Honorio are very similar to those addressed to Jews who found in their catechetical trips by countries in Latin: "I love you very much to the Jews - he used to say, for example - because I love Jesus Christ with madness, which is Hebrew." We notice that behind every scene there is plenty of documentation work by the director and screenwriter.
Joffe himself has said he has tried to reflect the soul and ethos Josemaria, rather than a chronological history, but in fact respected in their main lines.
- You have personally known the founder of Opus Dei: What brought you memories the Josemaría played by Charlie Cox?
Marta Manzi: I am impressed that an English actor 28 years I do remember the person I met in the late sixties. Apart from external features, like the look or smile, accurately reflects their strong character and friendly. And natural: when you were with him, you felt as a child with his father. Was not given to the solemnities; not you see it as the "founder", but as a priest who was listening, he was joking, talking about God and was close, as also seen in the film.
In 1970, with my husband, I asked advice about a personal dilemma: to devote himself to the family or continue an academic career. He answered smiling, sympathetic tone reprimand: "You, Italian, sometimes you would have the priest give you the answer to everything, and this priest is not going to give you, because certain competition issues only husband and wife, and anyone else. " He loved freedom, and that each chest with his own responsibility. Remembered this episode to see the answer given in the film, when some young people asked policy guidance, and he denies it, and encourages them to use the brain God gave them.
- In the movie, Saint Josemaría help to overcome the conflicts and hatreds of the time during the English war, which should not be easy, considering the persecution they faced the priests and religious.
Marta Manzi: I think the film reflects the experience Joffé Josemaria Escriva during the civil war in Spain: a deep sorrow for the attacks on priests, monks and ordinary Christians who suffered persecution, along with a lively awareness that even in such tragic circumstances could give way to hatred or revenge.
After the experience of the war, St. Josemaría wrote: "Never put up a cross just to remember that some people have killed others. It would be the banner of the devil. The Cross of Christ is silent, forgive and pray for each and for another, all to achieve peace. "
There are numerous written records of that era that show how his preaching always maintained an attitude of forgiveness and acceptance to all people. A youth who followed him in those years did not offer a program of social or political reforms. Some did not understand this attitude and left.
- What has been the relationship of Opus Dei with the makers of the film? Have you worked with them? Have there been any involvement economic Prelature?
Marta Manzi: In 2007 and 2008, the director and producers of this film came several times to Rome to seek advice history, talk to people who knew San Josemaría, visit places where he lived, etc.. From the office of communication helped them in everything we could, as we do with who takes the trouble to go to the sources. Since then, we have provided photographs, audiovisual material and other documents, and have sought answer all your questions.
Regarding funding, the producers have said they have met a number of television companies and a venture capital fund with more than one hundred investors, among which are some members of Opus Dei, as they themselves have counted, and some non-believers, as the same Joffé. The Prelature not involved in this type of project, the work people have participated in it, acting in their personal, professional.
- Some have interpreted this movie as a response to Da Vinci Code . Is there any truth to it?
Marta Manzi: You have to ask Roland Joffé and producers. By the Communications Office of Opus Dei, the "Da Vinci Code" led us to develop a comprehensive information campaign by which we closed in 2006, trying not to lose her good humor, sought to clarify the confusion sown on the Catholic Church on the person of Christ and Opus Dei.
- Will the movie appeal to non-Catholics and non-believers?
Marta Manzi: There are messages and people who, precisely because they are Catholic, are universal. Now I think John Paul II: in short, at its next beatification see an impressive demonstration of the positive impact of the saints in the lives of many people.
I believe a movie like this can touch many hearts because it addresses issues that are not themselves believers or nonbelievers, left or right: pain, evil, loneliness, rejection ... are issues that affect us all.
- What would you advise a person first hears about St. Josemaria and you want to get a real idea?
Marta Manzi: I would advise first direct meeting with his sermons and books of meditation as "Road", "Groove" and "Forge" through them many people have come to Christ . And I encourage you to visit www.josemariaescriva.info , Where you will find many resources. There is also a channel with videos: www.youtube.com / josemariaescriva .
By Jesús Colina
www.zenit.org of
Related Links:
Escriva to Franco and the English Civil War: Opus Dei and Franco