Faith in Film
Join the Rev. John Zahl (St. Matthew’s, Bedford), for a “Lenten Film Series: Faith in Film” on Sunday nights, Mar. 9th – April 6th, featuring an edifying and thought-provoking selection of special movies, exploring themes of conversion, humility, forgiveness, faith in the midst of suffering, and grace. Sundays at 6pm, with a brief introduction, followed by a short discussion afterwards both those who care to stick around. All are welcome!
Susan and God
- Sun, Mar 23
Director: George Cukor Run Time: 117 min. Rating: Not Rated Release Year: 1940
Starring: Fredric March, Joan Crawford, John Carroll, Rita Hayworth, Ruth Hussey
Wealthy, impulsive Susan Trexel undergoes a religious conversion, one undoubtedly destined to last as long as this season's hemline length. But in the meantime, Susan insists everyone around her - including her neglected husband and child - alter their lives (and loves) to conform to her latest whim. A sterling cast highlights this witty comedy-drama: Joan Crawford, Frederic March, Ruth Hussey, Nigel Bruce, John Carroll and a pre-stardom Rita Hayworth. For Crawford, Susan and God (headlined on Broadway by the formidable Gertrude Lawrence) was her chance to play a more nuanced part than her typical shopgirl-makes-good characters. As she famously declared to studio brass in her campaign to win the role of Susan, "I'd play Wally Beery's grandmother if it's a good part." It is!
Undefeated
- Sun, Mar 30
Director: Daniel Lindsay, T.J. Martin Run Time: 113 min. Rating: PG-13 Release Year: 2011
Starring: Bill Courtney, Chavis Daniels, Montrail 'Money' Brown, O.C. Brown
No hope. No future ... until a football season united a team and revealed the character that turned them into heroes. UNDEFEATED, an Academy Award-winning documentary, is the inspiring and moving tale of three underprivileged student athletes from inner-city Memphis and the volunteer coach, Bill Courtney, trying to help them beat the odds on and off the field.
Rome, Open City
- Sun, Apr 6
Director: Roberto Rossellini Run Time: 103 min. Rating: Not Rated Release Year: 1945 Language: Italian
Starring: Aldo Fabrizi, Anna Magnani, Harry Feist, Marcello Pagliero, Maria Michi
Roberto Rossellini’s harrowing drama of Nazi-occupied Rome follows the brave resistance fighters who risked everything. With Aldo Fabrizi as a determined priest and Anna Magnani in her breakthrough role, Rome Open City (Roma città aperta) was shot amid the ruins of WWII, capturing raw authenticity and urgency. A landmark in Italian cinema, this powerful film won global acclaim and helped launch a new film movement. Presented in Italian and German with English subtitles.