The fresh, new, engaging movie FATIMA continues to expand to many more movie theaters across the nation. Find a theater near you here. Home viewing is still possible for a limited time, click here to learn more.
In this powerful and uplifting drama based on historical events, a 10-year-old shepherd and her two younger cousins in Fátima, Portugal, report visions of the Virgin Mary, inspiring thousands of believers and angering officials of both the Catholic Church and the secularist government, who try to force them to recant their story.
In modern-day Portugal, author and noted skeptic Professor Nichols (Harvey Keitel) visits a convent in the riverside city of Coimbra, where Sister Lúcia (Sônia Braga), an elderly nun, recounts the story of her role in an historic event that took place in 1917.
The conversations between pragmatic academic and the spiritual ascetic illuminate a decades-old mystery and set the stage for an inspiring story that has fascinated millions for more than a century.
While wandering in a cave near her home in the hamlet of Aljustrel, on the outskirts of Fátima, Portugal, 10-year-old Lúcia (Stephanie Gil) is visited by an angel who shows her a vision of a battlefield.
World War I is raging across Europe and claiming the lives of many young men in Lúcia’s village. In the vision, Lúcia sees her brother, Manuel (João Arrais), a soldier at the front, caught in an explosion.
Later, while tending her family’s flock of sheep, Lúcia and her younger cousins Jacinta (Alejandra Howard) and Francisco (Jorge Lamelas) are visited by another apparition, this time of the Virgin Mary (Joana Ribeiro).
The “Lady of the Rosary,” as she calls herself, tells the children they must pray and suffer in order to bring an end to the deadly conflict. She also tells them she will return to the same spot every month for six months.
Like many in the town, Lúcia’s devout mother, Maria (Lúcia Moniz), doesn’t believe the children’s story and chastises Lúcia for lying. But as the mayor, Artur (Goran Višnjić), and Church officials try to convince the youngsters to recant their st
ory, word of the sighting spreads.
Pilgrims from across the country flock to Fátima hoping to have their prayers answered, but only the children are able to see or hear the apparitions.
As more people come, the pressure mounts on officials of the newly installed secularist government to refute the children’s testimony. Artur eventually resorts to imprisoning Lúcia and her cousins, hoping to have them declared insane. But the psychiatrist he enlists to examine them finds no evidence to support that claim and they are freed.
On the day of Mary’s final visit to Fátima, tens of thousands of believers arrive, hoping to witness a miracle that will convince them of her existence.
What they experience is still talked about to this day and the site remains one of the world’s most popular destinations for Catholic pilgrims.
Actors, Directors and more background information
An uplifting story about the power of faith, based on real-life events, Fatima is directed by Marco Pontecorvo (Pa-ra-da, “Game of Thrones”) from a script by Pontecorvo, Valerio D’Annunzio and Barbara Nicolosi.
The film stars Joaquim de Almeida (“Queen of the South”), Goran Višnjić (Beginners), Stephanie Gil (Terminator: Dark Fate) and Lúcia Moniz (Love, Actually), with Sônia Braga (Aquarius) and Harvey Keitel (The Piano, The Irishman).
Producers are James T. Volk (The Code), Dick Lyles (Little One), Stefano Buono, Maribel Lopera Sierra, Marco Pontecorvo, Rose Ganguzza (Kill Your Darlings) and Natasha Howes (The 13th Day). Director of photography is Vincenzo Carpineta (Letters to Juliet). Editor is Alessio Doglione (20 Cigarettes).
Production design is by Cristina Onori (All the Money in the World). Costume design is by Daniela Ciancio (The Great Beauty).
Original music is by Paolo Buonvino (Fathers & Daughters, Quiet Chaos). Original song performed by Andrea Bocelli.
Executive producers include Marco Valerio Pugini (Solo: A Star Wars Story), Holly Carney (The Code), David Fischer (A Guy Called Michael Egan), Frida Torresblanco (Pan’s Labyrinth), and Matthew J. Malek (The Peanut Butter Falcon).
ENDORSEMENT FROM THE SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY OF FÁTIMA
The Shrine of Fátima welcomes all independent initiatives and projects that see the history and message of Fatima as a source of artistic creation.
Inspired by the story of Our Blessed Virgin Mary’s appearances to three children, the movie Fatima shows why it is still possible for humanity to believe in divine intervention, even in our contemporary world.
Through his artistic choices, director Marco Pontecorvo conveys with dignity and integrity the actions of those who experienced the Fátima event.The film leads us to reflect that 100 years later, the light of God that the Virgin Mary shined upon Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia still lights the way for those who commit to a life of faith in the Gospel. (January 10, 2020)
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