Trailer (1:55):
A few weeks ago, we happened to read in our local newspaper that a new feature length documentary was opening at a theatre complex near us: Pope Francis: A Man of His Word. Intrigued, we went and saw it on the opening weekend, and were very glad we did. I did not expect such a beautiful and stirring film. Unfortunately there were only five other people in attendance with us. As we got up to leave, I found myself sincerely hoping that this film doesn’t disappear from cinemas too quickly, as it’s one that I believe that many people, Catholic or otherwise, would find as moving as we did. I also hope Pope Francis himself does not disappear any time soon. The witness of his life and his message are crucial for the times we live in.
Wim Wenders. Photo by Peter Lindbergh.
Wim Wenders, a German filmmaker, playwright, author and photographer, wrote and directed the film. Wenders has received three Best Documentary Feature Academy Award nominations: for 1999’s Buena Vista Social Club (celebrating Cuban music culture), 2011’s Pina (showcasing the life and work of Pina Bausch, a contemporary dance choreographer), and 2014’s The Salt of the Earth (portraying the career of Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado). He is known for spiritually infused films (Wings of Desire) but has also immersed himself in critically appealing, intense human dramas (Paris, Texas and Don’t Come Knockin’.) One day he received a letter from the Vatican, asking if he would like to talk to them about doing a film involving the Pope. Wenders described his reaction to the letter in an interview with Christiane Amanpour of CNN: “That was amazing; almost too good to be true. I truly admire his work, and I think he is one of the great leaders in the world today…I love the courage of this man, and how open he is, and how he lives what he preaches.”
Wenders grew up in a Catholic family, left the faith for a time, and then returned to become, in his own words, “an ecumenical Christian if ever there was one.” He decided that he didn’t want to make a biographical documentary about Pope Francis, but instead present more of a personal journey. In his film, we see the Pope’s intimate interactions with people all around the world, and we hear his ideas for reform of some of our most pressing global problems.
Interspersed throughout the film, Pope Francis speaks directly to us, face-to-face. To look closely into those tender, compassionate, twinkling eyes has quite an impact. It’s a gift he seems to give to everyone he meets.
Wenders shared a great story with film critic Chris Knight about the first time he and his crew met the Pope.
“We were nervous,” says Wenders. “For the first shoot, we spent hours getting ready. But when the Pope arrived, he did so alone: no entourage, no bodyguards. And the first thing he did was to shake everyone’s hand. He greeted every electrician. He greeted every assistant. He made it clear we’re all equal. Everybody who worked on this film had a right to look him in the eye, to ask him a question, to talk to him. He made the idea of equality very clear, and we very quickly lost our shyness around him.”
Photo by Renaldo Dallin
In the film, we see Pope Francis, over and over again, giving himself to people – from huge crowds to very personal encounters with convicts in prisons, farmers and workers, refugees in camps, malnourished children in hospital wards, the elderly, the disabled, victims of typhoons, and people from many faith traditions.
He also doesn’t close his eyes to the issues that plague mankind today: broken political systems; wartorn countries; our increasingly polluted planet; economic systems that yield riches for the few and neglect the many. The simple, blinding truths that he shares with us in the film are a reminder that we already know the answers to most of the world’s problems.
Here are just a few of Pope Francis’ memorable nuggets of wisdom:
“Don’t be scared of the word ‘revolution’.”
“As long as the church places its hope on wealth, Jesus is not there. Poverty is central to the Gospel.”
“We are family with the Muslims. Abraham is our father, whether we like it or not. We worship the same God.”
“Never be indifferent to suffering.”
“God’s love is for every person, no matter what their religion, or even if they are not religious.”
“We must all consider if we can become a little poorer.”
“To us Christians, the future has a name…and it is hope.”
Weaved into the film are re-enactments of the life of St. Francis, Pope Francis’ namesake, which Wenders and his crew shot in the little town of Assisi in central Italy. Speaking as a Third Order Franciscan, I know the life of St. Francis continues to touch many of us. The stories of his solidarity with the poor, his dedication to the sick, and his deep love of all living things are timeless. These scenes in the film show us the timeless beauty and mesmerizing effect of Assisi, ever shedding its mystic light upon us – and especially on the man who is now the Pope.
Photo by Gunther Simmer Macher
Pope Francis lives out his own words for the world to see, in his simplicity, his authenticity, his sense of humour, and his fearlessness. He invites us to open ourselves to others, to share what we have been given, to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Can we follow Pope Francis on this path? Of course we can, if we choose. And as a start, I highly recommend this film to you. Even more, I endorse the man at the centre of it.
Pope Francis: A Man of His Word is playing now in selected theatres. It can also be pre-ordered for purchase on Amazon and iTunes.
Great review, Bill!