The Face of Mercy is a 2016 documentary about Faustina Kowalska, her mystical visions, and the role that the Divine Mercy has played in different people's lives. It is narrated by Jim Caviezel.[2]
| The Face of Mercy | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | David Naglieri |
| Screenplay by | David Naglieri |
| Produced by | |
| Starring |
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| Cinematography | George Hosek |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | Sean Beeson |
Production company | Spirit Juice Studios |
| Distributed by | American Broadcasting Company[1] |
Release date |
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Running time | 57 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Synopsis
editIn 2015, Pope Francis declared an Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. The "year of mercy"[3] began on December 8, 2015, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and ended on November 20, 2016.
Since his election to the papacy, Pope Francis has inspired millions by urging us to embrace Mercy, ultimately revealed in the face of Christ. Now comes an extraordinary new film on this powerful message that brings hope, healing and forgiveness to a broken world.[4]
The documentary "draws connections between the history of Divine Mercy and this year's Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy" and weaves together a thoughtful, beautiful, and educational film.[5] Thus it is fitting that it is Pope Francis who says the first lines on screen. This is the context for this documentary, which came out during the last month of the Extraordinary Jubilee.
One of the first things said in the documentary, during the opening montage, is that "mercy is loves second name," which is a paraphrased quote of John Paul II. Divine Mercy, they argue, is God's response to the horrors of the 20th Century.[6]
History
editIt begins with the history of St. Faustina and how John Paul II (Karol Wojtyła) brought the message given to St. Faustina by God. It also highlights the influence Divine Mercy played in the life in the young Wojtyła. George Weigel explains that this devotion culminated years later in his second encyclical entitled Dives in misericordia (or Rich in Mercy).[7]
In addition to Weigel are John Allen, a Vatican Journalist, and Andrzej Duda, the President of Poland.[8] They both tell of their perspectives on Divine Mercy.
Theology
editLed by Scott Hahn, Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Fr. Michael Gaitley, Cardinal Seán O'Malley, and Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, the film uncovers the depth of the message St. Faustina received from Jesus. Furthermore, Weigel articulates the message of John Paul II's Dives in Misericordia saying, "In Christ we meet the Merciful face of the Father and the Truth about our Humanity."[9]
Film Festivals Awards
edit| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | International Lisbon Film Festival[10] | Winter Edition |
| 2017 | International Christian Film Festival[11] |
References
edit- ^ "The Face of Mercy: Documentary Features Stories of Divine Mercy to Transform the World".
- ^ "The Face of Mercy DVD – Narrated by Jim Caviezel".
- ^ "Everything you need to know about the Holy Year of Mercy".
- ^ "The Face of Mercy".
- ^ "Documentary on How God's Mercy Transforms Lives to Air on ABC Affiliates".
- ^ "'The Face of Mercy' Film Offers Hope to a Hurting World".
- ^ "Dives in Misericoria".
- ^ "The Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy_The Face of Mercy".
- ^ "The Face of Mercy" on Formed
- ^ "Lisbon International Film Festival".
- ^ "2017 Official Selection". on International Christian Film Festival
External links
edit- The Face of Mercy at IMDb
- The Face of Mercy on Formed.org