Spielberg collects another prize

What's a nice Jewish director like him doing with all those Christian awards?
Treasuring them, I hope. Steven Spielberg has received his fifth Christopher Award, this time for directing "Saving Private Ryan." Previously, he has won for directing "Amistad," "Schindler's List," "Empire of the Sun" and "The Color Purple."
In a sense, actor Tom Hanks is winning two Christopher Awards in the same year -- an indirect one for starring in "Saving Private Ryan," and a direct one for producing and narrating HBO's mini- series, "From the Earth to the Moon."
For 50 years now, The Christophers, a New York City-based group founded by a Catholic priest, has been doling out prizes for excellence in movies, television and books. The awards, announced at this time of year, recognize "creative works that express the highest values of the human spirit."
I always see the Christopher Awards as one way we can all check up on how well we have done in consuming worthwhile media during the previous year. For example, how many of these TV shows did you watch during 1998:
* "From the Earth to the Moon," the HBO mini-series about the Apollo mission to land a man on the moon;
* "About Sarah," a CBS TV movie starring Mary Steenburgen and Kellie Martin;
* "Grace and Glorie," another television movie from CBS, this one starring Gena Rowlands as a dying woman;
* "Nicholas' Gift," (yet one more from CBS) about the parents of a child murdered in Italy who donate his organs to others; * "Ruby Bridges," an ABC special about a little girl who integrates a school in the South; and
* "Travis," a PBS documentary about a child who is HIV-positive. If you're looking for a good movie to see, check out "Life Is Beautiful," a Christopher winner. This Italian comedy-drama about the Holocaust, which is still showing in many theaters, has been nominated for both a best picture Oscar and a best foreign language film Oscar. "Saving Private Ryan" has also been re- released.
The two other movies honored this year by the Christophers are "Down in the Delta" about a Black family and "Smoke Signals" about Native Americans. Watch for them on video.
Father James Keller, founder of the Christophers, wanted the awards to "honor those who have made their contribution through media that touch and shape the lives of millions." The prizes, he said, "should be regarded as a 'pat on the back' and a reminder of the power for good that those in the creative fields can exert by using their God-given talent affirmatively."
Over the years, the Christophers have saluted such movies as "The King and I" and "Gandhi," and such TV shows as "Twelve Angry Men" and Ken Burns' "The Civil War." Projects like that echo the motto of the Christophers: "It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness."
If you're tired of cursing the darkness found in many television programs and movies, check out what the Christophers recommend. For more information, write the Christophers at 12 E. 48th St., New York, NY 10017.
(A one-hour video of Pope John Paul II's recent visit to St. Louis has been released. "Gateway to Faith" includes scenes of his Masses, prayer services and talks. The video, which costs $19.95, can be ordered by calling 800-922-7696.) (03-04-99)

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