Vatican official says movies play role in evangelizing culture

Vatican City, Jul 12, 2012 / 11:08 am

At the recent International Catholic Film Festival's award ceremony in Rome, the head of the Vatican's council for culture said movies can aid the task of evangelizing modern society.  

At the July 5 awards events at the Vatican Museum's Octagon Patio, Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, noted that films are especially important for telling the world about Catholicism.

Catholics "have a great tradition behind us that represents the Christian faith and the themes and symbols of the biblical narratives," he told CNA. "And also because they are one of the new means of communication."

"In one sense, a movie can seem like a biblical passage, which is made up of images and narration," the cardinal said, adding that films capture in images what Scripture captures in symbols and narration.  

"For this reason, there is a kind of solidarity between these means of communication which are distinct, with the written word on the one hand, and the image on the other."

During the event, the film organization selected actor Andy Garcia to receive its "Silver Fish" award for his portrayal of General Enrique Gorostieta in the film "For Greater Glory."

The award for best director was given to Spanish director Inmaculada Hoces for her film "Una Cancion." Antonio Cuadri, another Spanish director, was given the Capax Dei Foundation Award for his film, "Hay mucha gente buena."

The Best Picture award went to the French film "Churchmen," directed by Rodolphe Tissot.  Best Short Film went to the Israeli film, "On the Road to Tel Aviv," and Best Documentary went to the film, "Seeking the Seven Keys of Antonio Gaudi," by Italian director Massimiliano Manservigi.

Last, the Lifetime Achievement award was given to French actor and director Robert Hossein.  

Organizers of the International Catholic Film Festival plan to hold events on evangelization through film in Rio de Janeiro, Los Angeles, and other cities in 2013.