Faith-Based Movie ‘Fatima’ Spotlights Divine Visitations
Director and co-writer Marco Pontecorvo brings to life the religious tale of 1917 Virgin Mary apparitions to three shepherd children in Portugal. Read on to learn more about this exciting, new faith-based release.
One of the most widely known – and believed by the Catholic Church – religious apparitions in modern times was the 1917 Marian apparitions that took place in a small village in Portugal named Fatima. The film is based on the life of Sister Lucia, who, as a ten-year-old girl in 1917, along with her two younger cousins, claimed to have visions of the Virgin Mary in a field. Mary urged them to pray the rosary during each of her visits in order to bring about peace and an end to the war.
But when the children shared the Virgin Mary’s message with the town, they were met with only disbelief. The town’s leadership becomes enraged by their tale, and the mayor, local priest, bishop and even their own families considered them liars and urged them to take back their story.
“A wondrous and soul-enriching faith-based movie, the kind which the world needs right now." Matt's Movie Reviews
“Of course, as the history goes, Our Lady’s apparitions in Fatima culminated in a miracle witnessed by tens of thousands of people on Oct. 13, 1917, called the ‘Miracle of the Sun,’” wrote the Denver Catholic. “Many hearts were changed that day, as was the world itself, and the message of Our Lady of Fatima has endured through the years. In fact, in today’s climate of civil unrest and stark political divisions, perhaps Fatima is just the film people need to see to remind them that although history may repeat itself, prayer and faith makes all things new.”
There have been numerous depictions of this story in cinema over the years, but this one is being praised as a standout and impactful retelling. In fact, the National Catholic Register called it “easily the most compelling dramatization of the Fátima story to date” and that it “fills a long-felt need in the world of religious cinema.”
Its success can partly be attributed to amazing performances, including Stephanie Gil’s depiction of Lucia. CNN gushed about her accomplished portrayal, writing: ‘Fatima’ shines foremost in the performance by Gil, who is utterly believable as the girl at the center of this storm. Wherever one stands in terms of belief, seeing her resist pressure to say she made the whole thing up plays like an inspiring act of courage.”
The film also stars Alejandra Howard, Jorge Lamelas, Joana Ribeiro, Harvey Keitel, and Sonia Braga, with Andrea Bocelli performing a beautiful closing song.
“Fatima” is now available for licensing from Swank. Click here to download free resources, including daily meditations, activity sheets, quote memes and more.