FILM PRESS RELEASE:
|
| www.thecalltofatima.com | |
| Contacts: | |
| Press Consultant: | Jeremey Hennessy |
| Film Director & Producer: | Thomas McCormack |
| Euro Finance Group | |
| 33 Raglan Road, | |
| Ballsbridge, | |
| Dublin | |
| Ireland. | |
| Tel: 01- 6674313 | |
| Fax: 01- 6688872 | |
| e-mail: info@eurofinancegroup.ieup.ie www.eurofinancegroup.ie |
On Friday, May 13, 2005, the global documentary film The Call to Fatima will make its debut on EWTN, the largest Catholic television and radio network in the world, with a potential audience estimated at 110 million households.
The film, directed and produced by Thomas McCormack and sponsored by Euro Finance Group, was shot on location in Portugal, Ireland, Italy and France with scenes from the USA.
The Call to Fatima brings the entire story of Fatima up to date as it includes the deaths and funeral scenes of both the last surviving visionary of the 1917 apparition, Sr. Lucy and Pope John Paul II, the greatest apostle of the message of Fatima.
The Call to Fatima is based on the book of a similar name ‘Calls’ by Sr. Lucy, who is regarded by many as one of the most influential Catholics in modern times, all be it from her convent’s cloisters. She received the film script before her death.
Sr. Lucy, who died on 13th February earlier this year, was the confidante of Popes and even millions, including major political figures, sought her counsel worldwide.
The Call to Fatima represents the story of Fatima for today’s audience and for generations that know little about how three shepherd children saw and received messages from an angel three times in 1916 and the Virgin Mary over six months from May 13th 1917.
The Call to Fatima tries without forcing any dogma on others to reflect with a fresh pair of eyes on the message of Fatima for this still new century, particularly for the youth.
The Irish launch will be at the Marian shrine at Knock, Co Mayo today, the same date, which is also the Feast of Our Lady of the Eucharist and Our Lady of Fatima.
If you remember, in preparing the children of Fatima for all they had to go through, the angel who appeared to them in 1916 gave them Holy Communion.
The film places the events of Fatima in the context of their time and reveals their role in the century that followed. ‘The Call to Fatima’ signifies of the three visits of the angel in 1916 and of the six 1917 apparitions of Our Lady, which told of the three secrets, death, the vision of hell, the miracle of the sun, future popes, the foretelling of the Second World War and the fall of atheistic communism.
The film highlights the amazing reoccurrence of the 13th of the month throughout the Fatima story including the death of Sr. Lucia, it also emphasises the link between the Jewish Princess Queen Esther, in the 5th century B.C. and the Muslim religion A.D.
It tells of the important Act made by Pope Benedict XV in 1917 to bring about the shortening of World War I and also how succeeding popes, including Pope John Paul II delivered on one of the central requests of the Virgin at Fatima.
Louder than any bell, clearer than crystal clear water, the message of Fatima, if adhered to in 1917, World War II could have been avoided and millions of lives spared.
Can we afford to ignore it now?
For further information, please contact:
Thomas McCormack
Date: 20th April 2005
Producer
Euro Finance Group
33 Raglan Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
Tel. 353 –1 – 667 4313
Fax 353 – 1 – 668 8872
Euro Finance Group, which specialises in raising asset and equity finance for corporations, will launch on the 13th May a ninety - minute DVD/VHS film documentary entitled: “The Call to Fatima.”
The story begins from the early part of the 20th century and takes you through worldwide events and links the significance of the passing of both Sister Lucia and Pope John Paul II and our new Pope Benedict XVI. This film explains more fully this troubled 21st century. The Call to Fatima was filmed on location in Fatima- Portugal, Lourdes -France, Knock/Dublin-Ireland, and Rome-Italy. It has received the full approval of the Fatima Shrine, Bishop Boyce among others. Early versions of the script were given to Sr Lucia in August 2004 for her prayers for its success. Sadly she passed away on the 13th February 2005. Both the Rector of the Shrine of Fatima, Monsignor Luciano Guerra and the Vatican Secretariat of State, Monsignor Valentino Di Cerbo have given a warm welcome to this work. The film is primarily aimed towards the youth, who will be the first to admit they do not know or understand the significance of the entire story of Fatima. The story narration is simply told by the much loved and well-known Irish priest Fr Michael Maher and Lauri Duffy. The film is based on Sister Lucia’s books, the only surviving seer of the apparitions in 1917 and includes a rare interview with a message from a Carmelite sister, who resided with Sister Lucia in Portugal.
It will leave the viewer to come away after watching this film with much to ponder and in no doubt what the message of Fatima means for our time and what we have to do if we desire peace in this new century.
Like any good story the
director was first inspired when Sister Lucia released her last book
entitled “Calls” from the message of Fatima in the year
2000. The aim of her book as she herself states, was to respond to
the millions of letters that she has received from the five continents
around the world seeking answers to their own concerns and suffering.
Sister Lucia is very direct and makes it clear what God wants from us
all.
Thomas’s inspiration for making the film “The Call to Fatima”
2000- Euro Finance Group sponsored the first ever-National youth and parent pilgrimage from Ireland to Fatima. This was again repeated in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005. Out of these tours, the film was created.
2005- On February 11th, the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes we had finally completed the film “The Call to Fatima”. Two days later on the 13th February 2005 at 5.25 pm Sister Lucia died at the same hour Pope John Paul II was shot in Rome (4.25 pm) on the 13th May 1981. It was decided now to halt production and include Sister Lucia’s funeral into the film before release. On the first Saturday of April Pope John Paul II died and the film production was halted again to include the funeral. The final edit was completed on the 8th April 2005 the day of Pope John Paul’s burial when many of the world leaders came together in one location along with four million pilgrims to mourn His passing.
2005 – On the 13th May 2005 EWTN the global Catholic network service company will launch the film “The Call to Fatima” to some 100 million homes around the world or 300 million people if you apply the maximum possible TV reach factors.
2005- The Irish launch will take place at 12 am on 13th May at the International Marian Knock Shrine. Ironically the launch is the same hour and date that The Lady of Fatima appeared to the three little children in Portugal
The aim is to have one DVD or VHS
in every home in Ireland and eventually every home around the world
in various languages.
STORIES ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE FILM
The design of the DVD / VHS cover:
Many suggestions from experts were sought to design the front cover, but all agreed that the image given to Sister Lucia on the 13th June 1929 was already the perfect image shown to Sister Lucia. It was designed to stimulate interest and with the recent death of Sister Lucia, the paragraphs on the back cover sums up the entire film, which we hope will encourage many to purchase a copy.
“So it is with my eyes on the Way of Truth that |I shall endeavour to explain the
Message to you exactly as God entrusted to me and gave me to understand what it means and to which souls it is addressed”
(Sister Lucia “Calls”)
‘A Fatima experience’-film extras.
The wine turning into the image of a chalice:
The film director and his crew had an experience whilst filming “The Call to Fatima” in Fatima. It occurred when we were filming the recreation of the scene of the wine falling into a chalice from a host that was suspended in the air when the second visit of Angel appeared in 1916 to the three children.
The wine was dropping from a height onto an unconcecrated host and the excess wine was captured below into a bowl. After two hours of filming this scene the wine in the bowl turned into the image of a chalice. This was witnessed by four-film crew and is included as an extra film extract for the viewers to experience. This happened on the 15th August 2005 the Feast day of Assumption of Our Lady into heaven. The film launch is taking place during the year of the Eucharist 2005.
Film script and Sister Lucia:
In August 2004 Sister Lucia received a copy of the film script from the director asking for her prayers for the success of the film.
The entire script was largely based on Sister Lucia’s writings namely: “ Fatima in Lucia’s own words” and “Calls” from the message of Fatima.
The film received the approval of the Fatima Shrine. Fr Kondor the vice postulator for the cause of Jacinta and Francisco Marto, gave the full permission for the director to use all of Sister Lucia’s known writings to create the film script.
The Fatima Approval:
The Rector Monsignor Guerra approved the rights to their own film on Fatima “ The Apparations of Fatima” to Euro Finance Group. This was one of the most important turning points in creating this film.
Knock bells:
The bells used in the film to support Sister Lucia’s last words on earth before she died on the 13th February came from the original Knock shrine church: St John the Baptist
Why make The Call to Fatima film?
If one takes a look at the troubled history over the last century we see that the world appears to be very angry at it self. With two world wars, followed by plagues, famine, local wars, and diseases etc. and the whole fabric of society is broken and many of our leaders are struggling to find solutions to what appears to be and ever endless strain for all who seek peace.
The start of the new 21st century with the 9/ 11 disaster and subsequent wars in the middle east indicates that the world is going to continue were it left off – war and destruction and the threat of war looms over many.
So is there any answer or solution to find peace?
We eventually have to admit we need some help.
“The Call to Fatima” tries without forcing any dogma on others, which also incorporates a true story for Jews and Muslims asks the viewer to reflect with a fresh pair of eyes the message for this new century. If we fail to heed the warning from Heaven, then we will loose out anyway if the last 100 years is the basis of comparison to go by. We all have a choice and a free will. “The Call to Fatima” is asking youth and future generations to consider the message for the 21st Century.
The film includes:
Live witness interviews to those who saw the Miracle of the Sun on the 13th October 1917, including an interview with John Marto the brother of Jacinta and Francisco.
Knowledge of places visited i.e. children’s home, the three appearance of the angel and what he asked them to do and the suffering that followed for the three children.
The significance of the true stories that bring home the message of the six apparitions, namely death, hell, miracles, wars, the Popes, the full detail of the third secret of Fatima.
Pope John Paul II 1981, 1982, the timely events that led to the fall of Communism Russia.
The significance of the 22nd August and Fatima.
- The warning signs on the 13th August 1938 of unknown lights - world war II, Berlin wall, Russia, and now 9/11 a damaged city and suffering people.
- Interview with a Carmelite nun from the same convent as Sister Lucia- her message.
- Lauri Duffy – our Fatima guide – sharing the story of Fatima with the youth. Fr Michael Maher and Fr Andrew Apostoli, both well-known experts on Fatima also contributed to the narration.
- Sister Lucia’s book “ The calls of the message of Fatima” is highlighted.
- Interviews by the pilgrims returning home after 8 days in Fatima.
- Interviews with young people on the streets of Dublin about the gains from sacrifices
- A brief story on Blessed Alexandria who is known
as the fourth seer of Fatima.
The seven languages for “The Call to Fatima”:
In May of this year the film is entered into the 20th International Catholic Festival in Poland and plans are now underway to create the “The Call to Fatima” into seven languages and be released globally in 2006.
EARLY REACTION FROM OVER SEAS
The Rector of the Fatima Shrine Monsignor Guerra states: “…through this work, the message of Fatima will continue to touch more hearts throughout the whole world”.
Bishop Boyce of Raphoe in Donegal was also impressed “ It is a fine performance …faithful and accurate.”
Vicki Kingsbury Perth (Australia) – “It is very good and I love the ending”
Mrs Brady Glasgow (Scotland) – “It made the hair stand up on the back of my head- Excellent”
May Conlon (New York) – “ very good, my niece watched it and was very quiet throughout the whole film. Must show to groups”
Some Youth Reactions
I have told and recommended people to buy and read the book of Sr. Lucia’s story in her own words. I have been saddened and surprised by three people who said they could not get it anywhere in Ireland; and even tried England; including Veritas and Knock. God bless and every best wish in spreading this important message.
Excellent – Really enjoyed it – and believe me I’m not easily impressed when it comes to religious videos. Thank you for using your gifts / talents for God. It helped me to understand Our Lady’s call better.
Very well put together, a lot of important information given in a beautiful way. Thank you.
Enjoyed immensely throughout. It gives a lot of background information for youth to be inspired by this great mystery of Fatima and the three children.
I would enjoy evangelising with this great weapon of faith as it is. Many youths would get a lot of beautiful memories from this product. It would encourage me to lead a full Christian life and pass on our physical knowledge of the Fatima story with Mary. Good luck and God Bless. (Michael Maguire)
“The Call to Fatima” The film crew:
Like any finance project that Euro Finance Group gets involved with, it knows it takes a good team to deliver a high quality product or service. “The Call to Fatima” started when like-minded people gathered together to create this story for youth. Many believe that the youth are searching. Perhaps they will have the opportunity to begin their search with “The Call to Fatima.” The team is:
Film Director, producer, and photographer:
Thomas McCormack first sponsored the promotion of a youth and parent pilgrimage to Fatima in the year 2000. It was mainly thanks to their enthusiasm that the story was first inspired to go into production in August 2002. The seed of the inspiration developed gathered its own momentum and very often it appeared that decisions were made for the director and the best action to take quite often was to get out of the way. Euro Finance Group financed the entire film. For more information on the company visit www.eurofinancegroup.ie
Script / Editor:
Maura Cunningham is a recent college graduate who was seeking to land her first film break. Maura was invited to travel to Fatima to experience for herself the story for the first time and returned inspired to write and edit the film. We were fortunate to have Maura’s insight to write a script that would reach and be understood by young people today.
Assistant editor:
Oliver Fallon has over 600 films to his credit and vast experience in film and TV productions. He has provided us with great support and advice.
Narrator, experts and Voice over crew:
Fr Michael Maher PP- Narrator and voice over for the entire film. Father Maher is well known in Ireland and has a great gift to tell a story.
Deanna Greene (Island of Jersey) – Is the voice of Mary. Deanne was literally heard over a half a mile away over a loud speaker in Lourdes whilst we were filming. Her voice was ‘perfect’ for the role of Mary.
Lauri Duffy – Is one of most respected guides on the ground in Fatima, and has brought pilgrims to Fatima from Ireland for the last 50 years.
Fr Andrew Apostoli (based in the Bronx, New York) – Fr Andrew is a Franciscan from the renewal order and himself is a leading world expert on Fatima having just completed a twelve part TV series for EWTN television network. He is also the Vice Apostolate for the cause of Bishop Fulton Sheen.
Music:
Terry Harley who has over 25 years background in audio electronics and installations, live sound and studio engineering. He has three years experience as head of sound at Kings Theatre, Glasgow, various audio projects in multi-piece orchestra and contemporary band recording.
Sound:
Andy Brady (Scotland) has many years of sound experience to create the recordings for TV companies in England and support the Youth 2000 movement for music and sound recordings between Ireland and England. We met him and Terry by accident in Knock whilst filming.
The Graphic Designer:
Wojciech Hupert (Poland) who is based in Dublin created the DVD covers, postersand film artwork.
PR:
Jeremey Hennessy now a retired journalist first got involved in Fatima when he travelled with his wife to Fatima for the first time in October 2002. The first draft for the film was now born.
The film Launch
13th May 2005 - EWTN – Global TV launch up to 300 million people.
- Knock Launch 12 am – with Msg Quinn
To be sold in all leading retail video outlets including Dunnes Stores, Musgrave outlets and all leading retail outlets.
Disclaimer
This document has been carefully prepared based on research information and interviews from key sources including from Fatima and Vatican officials. The DVD is intended for general release only. This document is for the sole use of the person and company to whom it has been addressed and should not be circulated for any purpose other than what it is intended for.
For further details contact:
Director / Producer: Thomas McCormack
PR: Jeremey Hennessey
Euro Finance Group
33 Raglan Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
Tel: + 353-1-6674313
Fax + 353-1-6688872
E mail: info@eurofinancegroup.ie
Web: www@eurofinancegroup.ie