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A Great Movie Makes a Great Conversation Starter in the German and Swiss Province.

Berlin - Oscar winning director Martin Scorsese’s  SILENCE surely is a passion project of his. His new movie was in the making since 1989, when it premiered last year in the Vatican it sparked interest and excitement throughout the entire Society of Jesus. The Swiss and the German province where invited to join the European film distributors in promoting the movie and its powerful message. This welcomed partnership led to a series of special screenings hosted by Jesuits in theatres in multiple cities: Berlin, Hamburg, München and Zürich.

SILENCE tells the story of two young Jesuit priests who are sent to Japan to look for their former novice master who reportedly apostatised and is now living under a new name in a Buddhist monastery. Scorsese masterfully tells this story, based on a bestselling novel by Shūsaku Endō, and manages to engage his audience emotionally as well as spiritually. SILENCE features big Hollywood names like Liam Neeson, Andrew Garfield, and Adam Driver and attract viewers who otherwise would not show interest spiritual cinema. The movie was also nominated for the cinematography Oscar this year.

Throughout the entire production cycle several Jesuits where involved with making the movie. Father James Martin, Editor-At-Large at America Media, was not only an advisor to Martin Scorsese, but also served as a spiritual director for the actors Garfield and Driver as they prepared for their roles. Both extensively shared about their experience and their encounter with the Jesuits during their promotional appearances on numerous prime time TV shows.

As expected the movie turned out to be a great opportunity to connect to new and old friends of the society. All of the events we hosted where well attended and our guests deeply engaged with the movie. Talks and panels before and after the screenings where used to exchange view points and to deepen the understanding of the symbol rich story line.

Another opportunity arose through the numerous media inquires asking for commentary and interpretation. Several Jesuits gave interviews and media briefs helping to shape the movie’s public perception and its religious and historical dimension. Those conversations with wide variety of media outlets will surely proof to be helpful for future projects and collaborations.

SILENCE is an outstanding religious movie which raises questions, inspires reflection, and asks for a prayerful response. Scorsese’s movie is a tribute to the Jesuit mission in Japan, as well as to the present day mission of the entire Society.

Photo: Screening of Silence in Berlin with Jesuits and friends. © SJ-Bild / Leo Stübner SJ

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