Faith videos go creative

Catholics who want to put into their VCRs something a little more uplifting than last week's episode of "The Nanny" should think about getting two creative videotapes about saints. Each shows a technical skill and artistic level well above the norm for religious programming.

In "John of the Cross," actor Leonardo Defilippis outdoes Peter Sellers, who was known for playing multiple roles in the same film. In this one-hour recounting of John's life, Defilippis plays not only the saint but also his uncle, mentor and religious superior.

As if that's not Defilippis enough, his wife Patti becomes St. John's mother and then his companion in sainthood, Teresa of Avila. Even some of their children show up in supporting roles.

Saint's story

This video tells about John's vocation as well as his and Teresa's call to reform the Carmelites in 16th-century Spain. It does this by focusing primarily on one incident: John's imprisonment by the order.

Many videos about religion have to be made cheaply, and that often shows in the production. "John of the Cross" also had a limited budget, but you wouldn't know it from the finished product, which has the look of a made-for-TV movie.

Dali-esque

This original half-hour is not easily explained. While "John of the Cross" presents its story in a straight-forward manner, "Crown of Fire" invites the viewer to do some serious thinking about what he or she is seeing.

The video begins with Rev. Dunstan Massey, OSB, a Benedictine artist in British Columbia who has spent years creating artwork about the founder of his order. But just when you think you're going to see a documentary, it veers into something much deeper. It takes us, as it were, to the interior of Father Massey, as if we were exploring his vocation and his connection across the centuries to Benedict.

Time travel

Anyone who watches "Crown of Fire" will be inspired in several ways: to talk afterwards about the saint, vocations and art; to go to the library to find out more about St. Benedict; and to delve into their hearts to examine their commitment to their own calling.

Suitable for families, schools, religious education classes and adult discussion groups, "John of the Cross" and "Crown of Fire" set high standards for religious videos that I hope will be met again and again -- and then surpassed.

(For information about "John of the Cross," call 1-800-683-2998. For details on "Crown of Fire," call 604-267-3724 or 888-798-6222.)

(04-08-99)

[[In-content Ad]]