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FILMS
Ignatius Press
Vitor Machado, Ana-Sofia Vilas Boas and Filipa Fernandes in the “13th Day.”
Fatima film tells story for a modern audience
The secrets of Fatima have been revealed, and most believe the predictions have already reached fruition. But the tale of the three shepherd children who gave up normal lives to honor the wishes of the Virgin Mother is as captivating as ever.
“The 13th Day” (Ignatius Press) recounts the visions at Fatima with a modern flair. Filmed mostly in black and white, in a film noir-type style, the slickly produced feature focuses on the children’s suffering.
At times the film feels a bit over produced and almost like an animated graphic novel. But for the most part the filmmakers — Ian and Dominic Higgins — do a wonderful job keeping the story of Fatima safely away from the cheesy nature to which some Christian productions fall prey.
The film is narrated by the eldest seer, Lucia dos Santos, as an older woman writing of her experiences 20 years later. Her adult voice guides the viewer through the suffering she and her two younger cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, endured at the hands of their families, surrounding villagers and the Portuguese government.
Lucia introduces herself as a shy child who enjoyed the company of her younger cousins. The three kept her family’s flock in the land surrounding her home. On May 13, 1917, they see a vision of Mary at a place called the Cova da Iria.
The heavenly lady promises to visit at the Cova on the 13th day of the month for the next five months.
After the children make this promise known, they are arrested and ridiculed. The villagers ultimately believe, though, when more than 70,000 witness a miracle the Blessed Mother promised the children.
The sun appeared to dance in the sky before plummeting toward the earth during the final visit of Our Lady of Fatima, on Oct. 13, 1917.
The story is mystical and well served by the director’s choice to film in black and white. He adds color only to emphasize the divine.
The performances of the three children are outstanding. The young actors capture the suffering and joy the children endured because of the apparition.
This dynamic is particularly well portrayed as the children are jailed and threatened with death. Jacinta dances as tears dry on her cheeks. Supporting actors provide much weaker performances, but the children more than make up for them.
The graphic-novel style of story telling emphasizes the drama of the legendary story, but it can get melodramatic and distracting.
Despite the weaknesses, the film’s dramatic nature keeps viewers engaged. It’s the mystical tale of the appearance of Our Lady of Fatima in a modern way that will hold the attention of audiences of all ages.
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