An Indian film about seven nuns and a divorcee has won the first prize at the 25th International Catholic Film Festival held at Niepokalanow, near Warsaw in Poland. The movie Nurunguvettangal (“gems of light”) by Leo Thaddeus from Kerala in south India, was among 172 films and 40 radio programs from 20 countries scrutinized at the three-day festival that ended May 30, said a report on CathNews India.
The 56-minute film, in Malayalam with English subtitles about seven nuns with their issues of attachments, boredom, conservatism, prejudice, workaholism, desires and fears, used a high degree of symbolism in photography, music, dialogue and art work, the jury noted.
“I do not want to label it a Christian film but as a film that looks deep into the convent life of certain human characters,” says Thaddeus.
This movie came on television recently and I had a chance to watch it. I really loved the story line and the way all things were pictured in this short movie. It will surely touch your heart.
Though the nine-member jury did not find any film fit for third prize in the feature film category, they made special mention of two films by Indian directors, the report adds. They were: the festival opening film in English entitled The Last Appeal, a story of St Faustina of the Divine Mercy devotion by Fr. Bala Udumala; and To My Beloved Teacher, a Malayalam film with English subtitles by Salesain Father Jiji Kalavanal, based in Kerala.
Jake Taylor has everything. He has a beautiful girl, he’s the champion in basketball and beer pong, and everyone loves him. Then, an old childhood friend, whom Jake used to be friends with, commits suicide. Jake begins to think. He wonders what he could’ve done to save his friend’s life. A youth minister tells him that Jake needs God. So Jake becomes a Christian. However, things begin to spin out of control. His dad is cheating on his mom, his girlfriend is pregnant, and his former friends ridicule and mock him. During all this, Jake is going to realize just what it means to be a Christian and how, to save a life.
Review
Jake Taylor (Randy Wayne), a high school senior, has a basketball scholarship, a sexy girlfriend, Amy Briggs (Deja Kreutzberg), and popularity at school. Before his teenage days, he used to be good friends with Roger Dawson (Robert Bailey Jr.) who’s now a lonely, alienated student unable to fit into the in-crowd.
Jake struggles to cope after Roger brings a gun to school one day and commits suicide. After attending Roger’s funeral, he goes through a crisis of conscience as he wonders what he could have done differently that might have saved Roger’s life. A youth group leader, Chris Vaughn (Joshua Weigel), guides him along throughout his spiritual journey, a kind of awakening, self-discovery and embracing of kindness, compassion and understanding that everyone ought to go through at some point in their life. Jake has a second chance to save the life of an outsider when he meets Jonny Garcia (Sean Michael), another alienated student.
The sensitive screenplay by Jim Britts combines the comic-of-age drama with just the right touch of suspense and comic relief to keep you fully engaged. What makes Jake such an interesting character is that he’s quite relatable, complex and more mature than your average popular teenager. You can sense that he has the potential inside him to be not only a good Christian, but a good human being who’s not selfish or mean-spirited like those in his social circle who are, essentially, dragging him down.
Perhaps later in life Jake’s girlfriend and popular friends will realize the importance of kindness and compassion, but throughout Jake’s journey, they’re still naive. Fortunately, the moments of during which Jake experiences his epiphanies never veer toward preachiness or corniness, so it’s easy to feel immersed in his journey without rolling your eyes or getting hit over the head with messages. Director Brian Baugh includes a terrific, lively soundtrack and moves the pace briskly enough so that there’s never a scene that overstays its welcome. At a running time of 2 hours, To Save a Life manages to be inspirational, genuinely heartfelt and captivating. It’s a profound, tender and uplifting journey toward enlightenment and compassion.
To Save a Life – Movie Trailer
Friends, you will love this movie. Don’t miss this. Watch it To Save A Life.
Cast : Ted Neeley as Jesus Christ, Yvonne Elliman as Mary Magdalene, Carl Anderson as Judas Iscariot
Jesus Christ Superstar movie released in 1973 is based on the world famous musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, the theatrical performance highlighting struggles between Jesus and Judas Iscariot. The performance is only on the last week of Jesus’ life, starting with Jesus arrival in Jerusalem and ending in Crucfixion.
After the huge success of the drama and the subsequent long-running broadway performance, it was made into a movie in 1973 by director Norman Jewison. Jesus Christ Superstar movie is all about the final six days in Jesus’ life, viewed through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. The movie is such a visual treat for anyone, who love to see all of these as a drama.
Actor Ted Neeley looks the apt choice for taking Jesus role in the movie. One may get the feeling that Jesus is a bit more stylish with his mustache and all. But as its a movie, I hope we can excuse that. Judas Iscariot has a major role in this Jesus Christ Superstar film as we see the film through his eyes and its well taken care of by Carl Anderson. Yvonne Elliman is electrifying as Mary Magdalene, and Carl Anderson couldn’t have been better as Judas; but Ted Neeley as Jesus is more whiny than heroic.
Jewison, a director of large talent, who made the movie Jesus Christ Superstar a reality, has taken a piece of commercial shock and turned it into a Biblical movie with dignity. I am highly recommending this movie to all you friends. Yes, you may find some slight differences from The Bible. Well, I am not gonna say it all here. Go see the film and let me know what you think through the comments option.
Jesus Christ Superstar : 1973 Movie Trailer
Friends, I know many of you have seen the movie Jesus Christ Superstar already. So I am also waiting for your feedback on the film. Those of you who are yet to see this film, go ahead, watch it and tell me what you feel about Jesus Christ Superstar movie.
[Thanksgiving and Prayer] We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. — 2 Thessalonians 1:3
