Award Winning Film Reveals the Beauty of Life
We’ve barely begun 2007 and already presidential hopefuls are jockeying for position for the 2008 elections.
While the pro-life movement has arguably made headway in the struggle to defend the dignity and rights of the innocent unborn, it is also clear that if the movement is to succeed at its ultimate goal – restoring a true culture of life where abortion and the pro-death agenda are unthinkable – that it must more effectively change the hearts and minds of the American people.
If pro-lifers want a Congress and presidency that will bravely and boldly act to codify the protection of all innocent human life in law, they must first change the culture that surrounds and influences these politicians outside of Washington, DC. Put simply, they must win and change the hearts and minds of Americans “upstream,” if we hope to have the necessary political change “downstream.”
For some time, the abortion industry has recognized the important role that shaping the culture plays in this debate and have been far more efficient at utilizing the culture plays in this debate and have been far more efficient at utilizing the culture, particularly the media, as a central weapon in their marketing arsenal. Hollywood, sadly, has been an all-too-willing accomplice to this plan by creating an endless stream of films that in one fashion or another glorify the pro-death agenda; films such as Million Dollar Baby.
Starring Clint Eastwood and Hillary Swank, the film follows the meteoric rise to fame and success of an unlikely female boxer (Swank) through the guidance of a curmudgeonly, but talented trainer and father figure (Eastwood). In an instant, her world changes when a blow delivered in the ring leads to permanent paralysis.
This grim tale, which portrays familial relationships as more dysfunctional and abusive that Alec Baldwin’s relationship with his daughter at best, grows all the darker as Eastwood’s character murders
the disabled Swank in the name of “mercy”. Of course, every production element of the film-lighting, music, camera angles and character portrayals- is utilized to full effect to render this act as the only compassionate, loving and fatherly resolution.
Not surprising, Hollywood approved. Million Dollar Baby was nominated for seven Oscars and won four, including Motion Picture of the Year and Best Lead Actress.
But now there appears to be a diamond in the rough that may be the greatest gift – even if unintentional – that Hollywood has ever given the pro-family, pro-life movement: Bella.
Bella tells a classic love story: not Hollywood’s standard insipid, oversexed saga of lust, but a tale about two virtual strangers whose lives converge over a single day when both believe they have lost it all. Through their time spent together, they come to realize that by losing “everything” the world says we should have, they discover everything that truly matters. Bella is a love story that goes much deeper than romance. It is a truly magical film about life, family, love and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Bella took the top prize at Toronto’s International Film Festival by winning the highly-coveted “People’s Choice Award,” a distinction that puts it in the company of such Oscar-winning films as Chariots of Fire, American Beauty, Life is Beautiful, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hotel Rwanda. This was no minor achievement. Over 5,000 films are submitted to the festival, about 300 are chosen to compete and from there one film is picked ad the People’s Choice. According to the Hollywood Reporter, ‘Gong into the festival absolutely no one, including the team of filmmakers that made ‘Bella,’ ever imagined it would capture the People’s Choice Award, voted on by festival audiences.”
But Hollywood’s reluctance has been overshadowed by the deafening buzz that the grassroots marketing of Bella has generated. The filmmakers have aggressively marketed the film to the Adoption and Hispanic communities, because the story is about an American girl and a Mexican soccer star. Pro-lifers who have seen this film have already begun to claim it as their own – and with good reason. Having watched the film several times at sponsored screenings, we can fully appreciate their enthusiasm. Without question, this is the most powerful pro-life film ever committed to celluloid since It’s a Wonderful Life.
Like the Capra classic, Metanoia Films clearly set out to make a great film. And like Life – which is an examination of faith, family, freedom and resolve – Bella is powerful art.
And there is no question that Bella, which compassionately and delicately deals with the topic of an unintended pregnancy, possesses the power to lift the human spirit and change the hearts and minds of those contemplating abortion. At this point, we know of two children – one boy and one girl – that were scheduled to be aborted whose lives were saved directly as a result of this film; fittingly, the little girl is named Bella.
“Thus, pro-lifers sees “Bella” as providential… it acknowledges a woman’s pain and in the end… the film is a heart-wrenching affirmation of life over death,” wrote Novak. I agree with Novak that Bella “offers hope for the pro-life movement to reverse the political tide running against it,” but we’re not going to provide any plot spoilers in this column to prove it. You’ll just have to see the film to experience it yourself.
The filmmakers were quoted on television as saying they didn’t set out to make a political agenda film. “We want to make films that unite people and politics divides. Films and art have a way of reaching all different types of people and this story is for everyone,” said the producers. Maybe the lack of a political agenda is what makes the film so appealing to audiences from both sides of the debate.
Regardless of the intent of the filmmakers, the film is helping the pro-life movement in an unparalleled way to change how people think, live and vote. According to the lead actor, Eduardo Verastegui, he loved the script because it “tells a true story about real people, facing real challenges, who discover the beauty of life in the midst of tragedy. The story celebrates the hidden treasures in life that are too often taken for granted, like friendship, family, relationships, love caring for others.”
In the end, to paraphrase a famous saying, the meaning of Bella may be in the eyes of the beholder.
Nonetheless, Bella provides the pro-life movement an extraordinary platform to carry their message of respect for and the dignity of all human life to the masses like never before. The challenge now is to seize upon this unparalleled opportunity to use a bona fide Hollywood hit as a key educational tool in shaping our culture. And that challenge lies squarely on the shoulders of pro-lifers and pro-life organizations.
In Hollywood, opening weekend can make or break a new film. A film’s second week of release is almost as important as its opening. Two consecutive strong weekends can quickly change Hollywood’s attitude and attention toward making a particular genre of film.
For example. The Passion of the Christ – another incredible work of art whose subject matter stirred controversy – had an astounding opening weekend. This was thanks in large part to Christian activists, non-profits, organizations and churches activating their base and turning them out on these key dates and pre-purchasing theaters the week before the public release. This led to a wider release and strong
second weekend, which propelled the film to unparalleled international success and revolutionized the way movie companies view faith-based productions.
Conversely, this past Christmas film-goers were offered The Nativity Story; but The Passion’s audience didn’t show. The film had a weak opening weekend and quickly faded into history.
Some groups like Focus on the Family, Family Life, Knights of Columbus, Priests for Life Heartbeat International and CareNet have begun planning ways to incorporate Bella’s opening weekend into organizational events and fund raisers. One popular plan is for organization’s to host advance private screenings during the week leading up to its release. The concept roughly mirrors that of fund raising dinners utilized by most non-profits; instead of a ballroom, you rent a movie house, the film serves as the keynote speaker, guests buy their own food (popcorn, candy and soda) and the cost of hosting these screenings is a fraction of hosting a dinner. But best of all, these worthy organizations raise needed funds by supporting a beautiful work of art and all the while sending a clear, unequivocal message to Hollywood.
“This summer, Care Net will launch a program that allows Care Net pregnancy centers to host private screenings of Bella the week before its release at the end of August. Care Net is taking advantage of the program the distributor offers for people to host “Bella Movie Events”, which are pre-release screenings of the film the week before the public gets a chance to see it. Through these screenings, Care Net will raise awareness, raise funds and recruit new members. My heart’s desire is to communicate to the masses how love transforms people – particularly a woman facing a crisis pregnancy and personal brokenness,” says Krisitn Hansen, Care Net’s Vice President of Communications.” This is movie accomplishes, and I want the world to see it.”
The fund raising and outreach event is easy to implement because the website, www.BellaMovieEvent.com, provides support and materials for anyone that is interested. Hansen, Care Net’s VP, explains, “First, pre-done letters can be sent to donors to help raise the cost of screening, approximately $6,000, making it possible for organizations to keep all funds raised for the next film. Next, the film company will reserve the theater for your desired date. Pre-packaged invitations, posters, and flyers will be provided to help promote the event. Finally, money is raised by ads sold in the Playbill and by comment cards passed out at the end of the film. The comment cards also make it possible to recruit volunteers that are attracted by the unique event.”
But it is not enough that a handful of organizations get involved.
If we want Americans to respect the dignity of the human person and enact the changes – culturally and politically-necessary to end abortion as we know it, then all pro-lifers and pro-life organizations must actively use Bella as a tool for change.
If we fail to do so, we will have no one else to blame for the decline of our country’s moral fabric but ourselves.
To get involved visit www.BellaMovieEvent.com or call 888-474-6024 to learn how you can promote the film and to reserve your exclusive screening to ensure we take advantage of this unique opportunity to save lives.