[ad_1]
LOS ANGELES — With the help of a real-life Jesuit priest, another horror story with religious overtones is making its way to Hollywood in the form of “The Pope’s Exorcist.”
Starring Academy Award winner Russell Crowe, the film is based on the life of Father Gabriel Amos, the Vatican’s chief exorcist. He was born in Modena, northern Italy, in 1925. During World War II, he was drafted into the army, but later changed sides and became partisans against fascists and Nazis.
Amorth became the Vatican’s chief exorcist in 1992 and died in 2016 at the age of 91.
Father Edward Siebert, who teaches at Loyola Marymount University and was one of the producers of “The Pope’s Exorcist,” said the film was about good and evil — but stressed it was historical fiction.
He said exorcisms are rare and not always done in Hollywood movies.
“They always work with the diocese and have the bishop’s approval,” he told Spectrum News.
Father Siebert said that before the exorcism, the individual needs to pass medical and psychological examinations, seek the opinions of others, and get the consent of the diocese. Once it is confirmed that there is a demon possessed, the exorcism process will begin.
“What ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ does is it puts the practice of the exorcism and those moments of exorcism, some might say lurid moments, on the screen. It represents all that is evil, because evil is invisible. . It’s hard to show an audience what evil is,” he said.
(Photo courtesy of Jonathan Hession/Sony)
Father Siebert said that showing evil through demon possession, bulging eyes, and dizziness gives the audience a better understanding of what evil is.
Siebert, who also runs Loyola Productions, said he always wanted to make movies. A producer who worked with him urged him to make a film based on Amos’ life.
It took eight years to bring the film to the big screen.
“It didn’t happen overnight. It was a long process, but who better to make this film than a Jesuit priest who is a filmmaker,” he said.
How would Father Siebert describe Amorth?
“He was a man of prayer, a man of faith. He really wanted to help people who were suffering. Ultimately, he found that being an exorcist was a way to do that. It was a unique thing work,” he said.
Siebert said being an executive producer on the film allowed him to shape the story. He said he never worried about what his religious leaders would say because he just wanted to make a good movie about good and evil.
“It’s a story of hope. I really believe in it,” he said.
Does Siebert think Pope Francis will see the movie?
“He likes movies. I don’t know if he likes horror movies. If he does a good job. If he doesn’t, that’s okay. I think he appreciates that a Jesuit is working hard, trying innovative ways to Helping people finally realize the love of God,” he said.
“The Pope’s Exorcist” is out now.
[ad_2]
Source link
