On May 13, 1917, 70,000 people saw with their own eyes a solar phenomenon not previously described in history. Unexpected phenomenon? No, because three humble little shepherds – Jacinta, Franceco and Lucia – predicted it three months ago! They claim that they received this revelation from Mary, the mother of Jesus.
That’s all it takes for crowds to gather on the hills around the small village of Fátima in Portugal. Mary has kept her word: everyone, without exception, believer or non-believer, attends the “Dance of the Sun”. This inexplicable phenomenon is not the only one: in the months leading up to it, young children had many mysterious, moving and sometimes… terrifying appearances! Fatima’s film recounts these extraordinary events with the luxury of historical accuracy. She was signed by Italian director Marco Pontecorvo, the main operator of the Games of Thrones and the Rome series.
Story still questions today
Inspired by true events (the film is largely inspired by Sister Lucia’s memoir), garnished with some romantic extras, FATIMA tells the true story of three young Portuguese shepherds, Jacinta, Franceco and Lucia, who claim to have been visited by a “beautiful lady”. Recognizing her as the mother of Jesus, the Catholic Church gives them an appointment every 13th of the month and encourages them to pray daily for peace in the world and the conversion of sinners.
In fact, the story takes place in the spring of 1917 while war was raging in Europe. Then she documents three important secrets with them, making them promise not to divulge them until the appointed time. Questioned by the villagers from the surrounding areas, pressured to back down by the authorities who took a dim view of this “mystical delirium” in Portugal won by atheistic materialism, the children remain unwavering.
The lives of many believers are turned upside down. They quickly angered the representatives of the church – very skeptical – and the local government, which is vehemently hostile to any religious demonstration. She tries by all means to stifle the relationship, and the latter compounds the pressure and harassment on the children to force them to back off. But rumors spread throughout the country and pilgrims flocked to Fatima in the hope of meeting the seers and witnessing a miracle …
Even today, the sanctuary of Fatima arouses curiosity and arouses the interest of the whole world. Millions of believers come each year to gather there and entrust their intentions to pray for peace and the conversion of the world.
Undeniable cinematic quality
The cast brings together the genius and talented Harvey Keitel (Pulp Fiction, The Piano Lesson, The Irishman), who haunts the atheist and skeptical teacher, Stéphanie Gil (Terminator: Dark Fate, The Salisbury Poisonings) who plays the clairvoyant Lucia; Göran Visenjic (ER) is the village’s ruthless mayor, Joaquim de Almeida (Fast and Furious 5, The Golden Cage) the village priest, and Lucia Muniz (Clin Firth’s lover in love actually) is Lucia’s mother.
To stay close to historical reality, the director deliberately chose the majority of actors from Spanish-Portuguese culture, including Lucia Muniz and Joaquim de Almeida, two internationally recognized actors. He also wanted to shoot the scenes of the movie in the country of origin, in places close to and very similar to the village of Fatima.
“What we immediately appreciate is the wonderful cinematic quality, far from the misery so frequent in this genre of film, with the means, and the camera, all in a nuance that plays splendidly on colors and shades, beautiful spaces and, above all, the exceptional actors, the three little seers “(nave).
Solidly interpreted and brilliantly produced, the film will make those unfamiliar with this mystical story want to know more. A feature film that makes a lasting impression.
Fatema Available now at DVD (19.99 €) at La Boutique Saje and VOD On TheChristianFilm.
Claire de Lorgrel
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