You don’t have to be a believer to believe. Based on a true story the children who starred in the movie FATIMA were outstanding. It’s a moving and uplifting rendition of actual events. Of the innocent honesty of children. I forgot they were actors.
I believed their claims of visions, how could you not, unlike many of the villagers in this small farming district in Portugal. Even their families thought they were lying. One of the most powerful emotions they portrayed was their love and loyalty to their faith, they were real.
The Story
In 1917 a 10-year old shepherd, Lucia (Stephanie Gil) and her two younger cousins Jacinta (Alejandra Howard) and Francisco (Jorge Lamelas reported astonishing visions and multiple visitations of the Virgin Mary (Joana Ribeiro) in their little village of Fatima, Portugal. They are told that only prayer and suffering will bring an end to World War 1 and requested them to return to the same spot every month for six months.
Earlier when wandering around a cave, Lucia was visited by an angle who shows her visions of the battlefield, including her brother, a soldier at the front.
Lucia had made a promise and although when she was chastised for lying by her parents, the town major and church officials, she did not waiver.
Her mother was a complex character, played superbly by Lucia Moniz, who played the Portuguese housekeeper Aurelia in Love, Actually, perfect for this role.
Yet, with all the pressure and accusations the young children continued to fascinate locals. Word soon spread as pilgrims flocked to the site where they first encountered “The Lady of the Rosary” as she liked to be called.
On the day of the Virgin Mary’s final visit to Fatima, tens of thousands of believers arrive in hope of witnessing a miracle. We were all there with the followers and what was witnessed by all, inspires me to visit this site today.
The story steps into modern day Portugal where Sister Lucia, now an elderly nun (Sonia Braga), recounts her story of her role in the historic events. Conversations take place between author and sceptic, Professor Nichols (Harvey Keitel) and the spiritual ascetic that ignites a mystery, decades old. It sets the stage for this inspirational story that has fascinated millions internationally for more than a century, famous for the prophecies the children claimed to have received.
It has become one of the most revered religious site visited by some six million pilgrims annually.
The real Lucia became a nun and lived in a Carmelite convent in Coimbra, Portugal from 1948 and died in 2005 at the age of 91.
The icing on the cake for me was hearing Andrea Bocelli singing Gratia Plena. There are many reasons for seeing this film and he is just one of them.
The Cast
Italian director/writer Marco Pontecorvo, is clever and obviously skilled with child actors. They were brilliant. His previous distinguished career as a cinematographer has served him well, as with his first film “Pa-ra-da” and as photographer director “Game of Thrones”. Rose, Ganguzza (Producer), Natasha Howes (Producer) Amest.T.Volk (Producer). Andrea Bocelli (Performer, Original Song “Gratia Plena”).
Starring: Joaquim de Almeida (Queen of the South), Goran Višnjić (Beginners), Stephanie Gil (Terminator: Dark Fate) and Lúcia Moniz (Love, Actually), with Sônia Braga (Aquarius) and Harvey Keitel (The Piano, The Irishman), Jorge Lamelas (Fatima, Billy Elliot stage musical), Alejandra Howard (Fatima and the up and coming La Vampira de Barcelona), Goran Visnjic (ER, The Boys, Timeless, and more)
Release date in Cinemas 3 September 2020
#RialtoDistribution #SheSocietyAu
Ruth Greening holds a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Psychology & Philosophy. Before retirement, she worked for over 40 years in the corporate world in Melbourne and Brisbane and progressed into senior management positions and project roles for both private industry and government.
In her 70th decade, she continues in casual roles as a freelance writer, model, and actor participating in small movies, TV commercials and User Generated Content.
As a grandmother, she is known as Nanny Babe to her grandchildren and writes from a Baby Boomer perspective on her blog www.nannybabe.com. An avid crafter Ruth actively participates in sewing, crocheting and knitting.
While she continues to pursue her artistic passions, Ruth is dedicated to maintaining her health and fitness as she ages by attending the gym, dancing and walking and thrives on mentoring others.
Connect with Ruth or our moniker Nanny Babe; nannybabegengp.blogspot.com.au/
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