June 2019 Philadelphia Chapter of Pax Christi U.S.A.

"A Hidden Life"

Terrence Malick's new film about Franz Jägerstätter premieres at Cannes

“…This is a film about discernment, conscience, character and integrity. It is about true freedom, heartbreak, humanity and family. The ethical and religious questions of the film ask us: Can one person truly make a difference in this world? Is it worth it to even try? Malick doesn't answer for you. He uses this film as bait; if you bite, it may hook you and make you squirm. The contrast and conflict of the film are between the comfort offered by its beauty and the discomfort of conscience offered by Christ's life, death, resurrection and teaching in the Gospels…” Sr. Rose Pacatte, ncronline

https:// www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/terrence-malicks-new-film-about-franz-j-gerst-tter-premieres-cannes

Dear Aileen,

The following are excerpts from an email message sent to Aileen from Elisabeth Jungmeier, Pax Christi Austria.

Thanks for the link to the report in the NCR.

I am already looking forward to the film, which has been praised internationally since the premiere in Cannes last Sunday.

In 2012, Erna Putz and I from the Jagerstatter Advisory Council led the American scriptwriter Elisabeth Bentley to the Jagerstatter original locations. Since then she has been with me a few more times and finally she wrote a script and director Terrence Malick accessed.

In advance, the film company allowed the three Jagerstatter sisters to watch the movie in Maria Dammer's living room last week. Maria was thrilled, but she said it was hard to see the torture scenes. In early June I'll be able to watch the movie in English; the Jagerstatter Advisory Council and other family members and friends will see it at St. Radegund community hall. In fall/winter it will hopefully be shown in public cinemas worldwide.

Yesterday, on the liturgical memorial day, on the day of the baptism of Blessed Franz, we had a worthy celebration in the cathedral of Linz. After the celebration of the Eucharist, Father Max Strasser spoke very touching words at the Jagerstatter place of worship about Franziska Jagerstatter, of course, with the urgent wish of the canonization of both. Christine presented the poem "Meditation on a Martyr" by Daniel Berrigan SJ. After the Jagerstatter song "The way to the sources leads against the stream" people remained for personal conversation, asked questions and told of their encounters with Franziska.

Take care, Love, Elisabeth

, 21. Mai 2019 um 21:55 Uhr