Scorsese to make “Silence” by Shusaku Endo

Scorsese Planning Movie on

Japanese Martyrs

Martin Scorsese, American filmmaker

 

Based on Novel About Portuguese Missionary

 

TOKYO, FEB. 19, 2009 (Zenit.org).- An Academy Award-winning director is planning a movie on Japanese Christians martyred in the 17th century.

Martin Scorsese will film the movie in New Zealand and release it in 2010, according to the Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun. Names of actors linked to the project include Daniel Day-Lewis, Gael García Bernal and Benicio Del Toro.

Scorsese is known for his work on films including “The Age of Innocence,” “The Departed,” “Gangs of New York,” “Casino” and the controversial “The Last Temptation of Christ.”

The film on the Japanese martyrs is based on the book “Chinmoku” (Silence), by the Catholic Japanese author Shusako Endo. The novel tells the story of a Portuguese missionary in Japan at the beginnings of the 17th century. “Silence” refers to the silence of God before the cross of Christ, in telling of the missionary’s forced apostasy in the midst of horrendous torture.

Shusaku Endo, 1923-1996 "The Graham Greene of Japan"

Endo (1923-1997) was baptized at age 12. His novels reflect his effort to show Christianity reconciled with Oriental culture, as well as his vision of human weakness, sin and grace. Among his other writings are “A Life of Jesus” and “Deep River,” in which he tries to present Christianity to the Asian mentality.

Last November some 188 Japanese martyrs from the same era as the plot of “Silence” were canonized. Japan is today less than 1% Christian, of which only about 450,000 are Catholics.

Source: ZENIT

ZE09021904 – 2009-02-19

Scorsese Planning Movie on Japanese Martyrs

A note from Sr Rose: I look forward to seeing this film so much. According to the Internet Movie Database  Jay Cocks is the writer (De-Lovely; Gangs of New York; Age of Innocence) so he has great range but not so sure about spiritual depth. I think I would have preferred this to be a Paul Schrader collabortion because between Scorsese and Shrader, they gets the spiritual struggle, the existential, so well; they know how to actualize it, externalize it. (I wouldn’t want this to turn into the Japanese version of Gangs of New York). This soul struggle is the crux of Endo’s novel. At any rate, this is one of the most exciting announcements for cinema and theology/spirituality for some time.

And if you haven’t yet read  Silence get thee to a Pauline Book & Media Center (or Amazon.com) today!

Catholic Media Convention May 27-30, 2009

The 2009 Catholic Media Convention theme lets you know that this year’s agenda is designed to help you grow in this age of exploding media opportunities.

• Five Master Camp training opportunities at no additional fee. New this year are Quark, Adobe and a Digital Media Boot Camp
• Business workshops focus on postal solutions, advertising growth, circulation and leadership
• Writers and communicators can attend 20 different workshops ranging from diocesan communication plans to covering immigration and gay marriage issues.
• Networking opportunities start at roundtables on Wednesday after and don’t end until Friday evening.
• Bringing your family? Send the little ones to a Kids Camp while you attend a workshop.

Have a great time, participate, and bring back valuable information and skills.

Registration starts Monday, March 2^nd on-line at either link:

• http://www.catholicpress.org/?page=CMC
• http://www.catholicmediaconvention.org/

Topic tracks are listed below, complete schedule to come soon. We hope to see you in Anaheim.

 

For just $360 you get …

40 plus workshops, panel discussions, trainings & master camps

2 plenary presentations

2 lunch meals

2 receptions prior to evening meals

1 evening meal

1 banquet meal with awards presentation

1 post-banquet reception with award viewing

endless growth opportunities

 

Master camp

• Digital Media Boot Camp

• Movie Screening

• Quark

• Adobe

• Best Practices Multimedia for your Website

• Paper to Pixels: Storytelling on the Web

 

Business

• Lead Like Jesus

• Your Catholic Magazine Can Survive the Road Ahead

• Your Newspaper Can Survive the Road Ahead

• Advertising Rate Structure

• Win Randy Grosse’s Money – Million dollar Ideas

• Does Your Publication Have Any Friends?

• Postal – Presenting to the Catholic Reader

• Postal – When All Hell Breaks Loose

 

New media

• Tweets and Twends: New Methods in Reaching Readers Through Social Media

• Social Media for the Catholic Press

• Plenary Presentations – Thursday & Friday

• Media Literacy: “How to View Desperate Housewives” (Presenter: Sr. Rose Pacatte, FSP)

• Social Media Marketing: Powering Your Catholic Brand Via Web 2.0

 

Editorial

• Content Analysis

• Editor/freelancer Panel

• Photography Workshop

• The New Roman Missal

• Pro-Life Topic

• Immigration Topic

• Gay Marriage/Proposition 8

• How to Live Your Faith in the Hollywood Marketplace

 

Communication

• Q & A with Msgr. Tighe

• The Making of Zamboanga: Poverty War Music

• Hispanic Outreach for Diocesan Publications

• Producing for the Web

• Convergence “In the Diocese: New Media and Catholic Media”

• Producing Diocesan Documentaries

 

Roundtables

• Magazine

• Newspaper small circ

• Newspaper large circ

• Hispanic/Spanish Language

• Communication directors

• Advertising/Circulation

 

Regional meetings

• East

• West

• Midwest

• South

 

Business meetings

• Catholic Press Association

• Catholic Academy for Communication Arts Professionals

• Catholic Advertising Network

 

Kids camp

• Wednesday evening Movie & Pizza Party

• Thursday morning activity

• Friday morning activity

 

Tim Walter

Executive Director

Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada

205 W Monroe St., Suite 470

Chicago, IL 60606

312.380.6789

Movies & Lent

Here are two books, excellent for individuals or groups, to journey through Lent using movies and scripture. You can order these from our Pauline Book & Media Centers in Culver City, CA (310-397-8676) or San Diego , CA(858-565-9281) or from Pauline Books & Media Publishing House.

Chocolate for Lent
A Creative Approach to Your Lenten Journey

By Hilary Brand

Using themes from the 2000 Academy Award nominated film Chocolat, this unique approach to the season creates the space for deeper insights into self-discipline, self-giving, conversion, acceptance and maturing in Christ. Delving into the delicious depths of humanity, Chocolate for Lent offers a lenten program like no other!

• Ideal for personal spiritual reading
• Perfect for parish lenten programs, prayer groups, RCIA groups, adult faith formation, or anyone who loves God, movies and chocolate!
• Includes material for individual reflection and a complete guide for group leaders.

Take up Chocolate for Lent this year—without guilt or calories—and grow in faith with your friends.
–Prof. Thomas Groome, Boston College, author of What Makes us Catholic.

A smooth spiritual blend of scriptures, social awareness, service, community prayer, integrity, love, and what it means to be a follower of Christ.
–Rose Pacatte, FSP author of Lights Camera…Faith! A Movie Lectionary Series

Paperback / 140 pages / Dimensions: 5″ x 7 1/8″ / ISBN: 0819815675
Retail Price: $11.95

The Power of Small Choices

Hilary Brand

What are you doing for Lent? How about watching a movie?

Once again, bestselling author Hilary Brand offers a unique twist to living the season of Lent. This lively five-week course explores the amazing power of the small choices we make every day, chal­lenging us to broaden our spiritual horizons in ways that will make a difference.

Two movies, The Shawshank Redemption and Babette’s Feast, demonstrate the invincible human ability to make choices— choices of observation, limitation, imagination, determination, and affirmation—even in the most limited circumstances. Learn how to turn small, daily choices into occasions for personal growth and practical love, and experience this season of conver­sion anew.

• Ideal for personal spiritual reading and reflection.
• Perfect for parish lenten programs, prayer groups, RCIA, adult faith formation, or anyone who loves God and movies!
• Includes a complete guide for group leaders, additional bible study material, and suggestions for celebrating the course’s completion.

AUTHOR PROFILE
Hilary Brand is the author of Chocolate for Lent, based on the Oscar-nominated movie Chocolat. She also written four children’s novels and co-authored Art and Soul (IVP), an exploration of faith and the arts. A self-confessed movie junkie, she also loves the Bible and likes seeing what thoughts emerge when the two come together.

Paperback / 245 pages / Dimensions: 5″ x 7 1/4″ / ISBN: 0819859567
Retail Price: $7.95

Oscar Reflections & Party Notes

I really enjoyed the Oscars this year and despite all the complaints about previous years, I think watching the Oscars each year is like attending a master class on film. Story-telling, editing, music, everything. Including film history.

The Oscars also provides much fodder for a media literacy exercise (who wins, who doesn’t, who is included, who isn’t, the perspectives and ideologies shared, and so forth.) This is hard to do during the event itself, but an interesting reflection for the day after.

By the way, who pays for the Oscars?

What I liked about this year’s Oscars included the opening song/dance routine; Jackman was terrific. Did not know Anne Hathaway could sing. Wow.

Bringing past winners in to present the awards was wonderful. I enjoyed Whoppi Goldberg’s take the most: it’s not easy being a nun. And thosse who did not win? So gracious.

I was glad “Milk” was recognized by three awards and that Sean Penn won best actor. He deserved it! I did think giving the winners longer than the 45 seconds everyone else had for acceptance comments to promote their agenda wasn’t such great form. (If I recall well, Susan Sarandon, when she won Best Actress for “Dead Man Walking “wasn’t allowed time to promote her platform and beliefs; both films are about human dignity.) 

Media literacy point: the Oscars are about more than film. They reflect the world and the culture, what filmmakers value and believe, what Academy members choose to acknowledge and what they don’t. It’s about more than movies.

This actually reinforces my first point: the Oscars is a master class on film: film theory, ideology, story-telling, form and content, and on and on. And the most meaningful way we can respond to the Oscars is to talk about them.

Even the fashions!

Are the Oscars about profit? Of course, but not always about box office.

Here are some photos about Oscar night: 

Some of the fine folks at our Oscar Party: Rodney Recor, Nanciann, Paul, moi, Ron Schmidt, SJ

Watching the vote!

 

Fr. Frank Desiderio, CSP, won the 1st prize: 20 out of 24 right. He said he checked the Vegas odds before he came! Fr. Ron Schmidt came in second, and Phivan came in third. 1st Prize: $20 Blockbuster gift card, 2nd, !5, and 3rd $10. We forgot to prepare the prize for the biggest loser, but it would have been tied about 4 times over!

 

We were honored to have Rodney Recor with us. Here is is with Nanciann Horvath in front of his credit as the film librarian for the Oscars. (Rodney was not responsible for the interesting scene in the background!)

Ash Wednesday in Hollywood

BLESSED SACRAMENT

6657 Sunset Blvd

Hollywood 90028

8:00 am Mass

12:05 pm Mass

3:30 pm Liturgy of the

Word, Bilingual Spanish

5:30 pm Liturgy of the

Word, Bilingual Tagalog

7:30 pm Liturgy of the

Word, Spanish

 

ST. CHARLES

BORROMEO

10828 Moorpark St

North Hollywood 91602

7:30 am Mass

8:45 am Mass

12:05 pm Mass

5:00 pm Mass

7:30 pm Mass

 

SAINT FINBAR

2010 W. Olive Ave

Burbank 91606

8:00 am Mass

12:15pm Liturgy of the

Word

5:15 pm Mass

7:00 pm Mass, Spanish

8:30 pm Mass,

Vietnamese

 

ST. MONICA

725 California Ave

Santa Monica 90403

6:30 am Mass

8:00 am Mass

12:10 pm Mass

6:00 pm Mass

7:30 pm Mass

 

ST. AUGUSTINE

3850 Jasmine Ave

Culver City 90232

6:30 am Mass

8:00 am Mass

12:00 pm Liturgy of the

Word, Bilingual Spanish

1:00 pm Liturgy of the

Word, Bilingual Spanish

6:30 pm Liturgy of the

Word, Bilingual Spanish

* Andy Warhol (1928 – 1987) attended Mass at St. Vincent Ferrer, NYC, several days a week until shortly before he died.

Note from Sr. Rose: this flyer was provided by Fr. Don Woznicki. These churches are located near the major studios and production companies in and around Hollywood.

Pre-Oscar Montage

Pre-Oscar Montage directed by Bennett Miller (Capote)

Awesome! I made it in the film, but this is all I say: “awesome”.

Also, there we we were glued to the TV last night but never saw this; someone sent me the link this morning.

Anyway, awesome company!

I enjoyed the Oscars a lot last night. We had a very nice party, and I will be posting some photos soon.

Day of Prayer for Lent by Open Call

 

Through the Desert to Renewal

A Lenten Day of Prayer and Reflection 

 

 

Co-sponsored by Loyola Marymount University Center for Religion & Spirituality

 

A day of peace & meditation concluding with

a Mass for those wishing to participate

                                                           

     

 

with Fr. Ron Schmidt, S.J.

Priest, filmmaker, retreat director

 

Saturday, March 14, 2009

         9:00 am ‘til 4:00 pm ~

please arrive by 8:30 to sign in

 

LOCATION: 

Collins Alumni & Faculty Center in the

LMU Leavey Center

One LMU Drive, West Los Angeles

 

 $35.00 including lunch

 

Pre-paid reservations requested and strongly advised

 

for planning purposes, we need to know you plan to attend

1) Guarantee your space via return email kbeatton@roadrunner.com

 

2) Mail your check today, payable to

Open Call 

Karen Beatton

 4151 Arch Drive #313, Studio City 91604

                         

DIRECTIONS

From the South: Travel on 405 North, exit on La Tijera, make a left onto La Tijera. Take La Tijera until Manchester Boulevard and make a right (traveling west).  Stay on Manchester until you reach Lincoln Boulevard and make a right.  On Lincoln Boulevard, proceed for approximately 3/4 of a mile until you arrive at our main entrance on the corner of Lincoln and LMU Drive.

 

From  the North: Travel on 405 South, exit on Jefferson Blvd. and turn right. Head west and make a left onto Lincoln Blvd. Head south and turn left into the campus on LMU Drive. The guard at the front gate will issue you a parking pass and direct you to the Drollinger parking structure.

www.opencall.catholicweb.com  :8   www.lmu.edu

 

New Blog for Pauline Book Stores SoCal

Daughters of St. Paul

Just letting you know that we have started a new blog for the two Pauline Book & Media Centers in SoCal (San Diego and Culver City.) Take a look and stop in for a visit, too.

Pauline Book & Media Centers SoCal

He’s Just Not That Into You

I am still trying to figure out what I thought about this marriage among an all-white ensemble cast trying to find mates in nouveau Baltimore.

Director Ken Kwapis is still into marriage movies (License to Wed, 2007).

There’s a line from a film I disliked a lot: “Closer” (directed by Mike Nichols, 2004) – a line I never forgot: If you believe in love at first sight, you never stop looking. “Closer” was about marriage and the impossibility of faithful commitments. “He’s Just Not That Into You” was similar, though each couple (almost too many to count; it was like 12 degrees of separation connected) ended up in a different place than when they started. 

Not sure if marriage and commitment came off any better at the end than at the beginning or through the middle. But maybe some of the characters learned something to help them grow.

The strongest, and most entertaining,  pairing was between Ginnifer Goodwin and Justin Long.

I am wondering if this film wouldn’t be interesting for Catholic/religious young adults (or people who care about fidelity to commitments) to see and talk about with married couples, parents, and clergy while they are still “on the market” (such an unpleasant way to view persons and the possibility for authentic relationships and just maybe, love. )

Hmm.

The International Movie

Getting ready for our Oscar party so I will just say a few words about The International. (Sorry for this huge poster but it was either this or a postage stamp!)

It may be improbable: an international bank becomes an arms broker, but is really buying up the debt of small countries involved in armed conflicts; plus they are buying and selling the same arms systems to their really big “accounts”.

An Interpol agent, Salinger, played by Clive Owen, is a desk jockey analyst who finally cannot take it anymore when various agencies stonewall him and refuse to investigate the bank.

The plot is as circular as the stairway in New York’s Guggenheim museum where an really over-long shoot out takes place. But that’s ok if you don’t mind shoot outs.

The ending is the most ironic (and cyncical) conclusion to a film I have ever seen. But it is a really intersting movie that makes you want to ask questions about … where all the money comes and where it goes.

-SPOLIER ALERT-

The ending: Why go through all the legal – and illegal hoops – to get the bad guys when all you had to do was call the mafia? It would have saved so much time.

The plot may be fiction, but I think the part about an international bank (think China rather than a financial institution in a small European country)becoming rich by buying up debt is a pretty strong point to make. After all, this is how China “owns” us, right?