 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
August
6, 2007
VOL.
45, NO. 14Oakland,
CA
Award-winning
‘Bella’ is story of
heroic decisions, genuine friendship
One would
assume a film with a title like “Bella” to be a foreign flick
entwined with passionate love triangles. But this 91-minute film is about
how people give each other the strength and courage to grow, mature and
develop their personhood through the gift of friendship.
True to its Spanish translation “beautiful,” the title is
thoroughly descriptive of what transpires as a young man and woman overcome
unfortunate circumstances together. As they grow closer in a New York
City Latino neighborhood, trust and loyalty ultimately lead them, while
seemingly stuck in no-way-out situations, to make heroic life-long decisions.
Foreign elements, passion and love, do pop up in unexpected ways. For
example, a passionate sense of justice compels Jose, played by Mexico’s
soap opera star and recording artist Eduardo Verastegui, to deal honestly
with his past and move forward through positive action and change.
Foreign to our modern day movie culture is Jose’s selfless pursuit
of genuine companionship with leading lady Nina, played by Emmy Award
winning actress Tammy Blanchard. Familial love bonds family members as
they decide to support one another.
There are a couple of annoying glitches that keep us guessing from the
beginning. Like the beach scenes that interrupt the story line at odd
times. Jose appears in these with face, beard and clothing unchanged and
with nothing that would illustrate a different time frame. As we reach
the conclusion, we realize the scenes were at least six years or more
into the future.
The conclusion was surprising and refreshing, but too abrupt compared
to the overall pace of the plot. It felt like someone slammed on the brakes,
leaving the viewer with questions about how the missing years must have
played out. I am hoping there will be a “Bella II” to fill
us in.
Despite the glitches, “Bella” is potentially a classic if
only for its theme of hope. It has a strong story line that engages and
an old world charm that inspires. Intended to reach teen Latino audiences,
the life lessons it teaches are universal.
“Bella” was shown at an April pre-screening event for diocesan
and parish leaders at the Orinda Theatre. It was co-sponsored by Catholics@Work
and the Oakland diocesan Department of Evangelization & Catechesis.
Beneficiaries of ticket sales were Bay Area Crisis Nursery of Concord
and Mary’s House of San Pablo.
Director Alejandro Monteverde, originally from Mexico, and Producer Leo
Severino, both Catholics residing in Los Angeles, shared their backgrounds
and movie-making experiences in a Q. & A. session with viewers. Their
film company, Metanoia Films, has already received advance funding to
produce more films featuring good morals and values.
“Bella” won the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival People’s
Choice Award and nine other film festival awards, including the Smithsonian
Latino Center Legacy Award. President Bush presented Monteverde with the
2006 U.S. Department of Immigration’s American by Choice Award for
“Bella” at the White House.
Watch for “Bella” coming to theaters nationally Aug. 15. For
more information go to www.bellathemovie.comor
contact Metanoia Films at 1-888-474-602. Not rated. Appropriate for teens
and adults only.
(Diana Sai Farias, a member of St. Agnes Parish in Concord, is a fine
arts reviewer.)
