Free Catholic Books and Gifts!
Automated ads not within blogger's control. Report inappropriate ads.
July 23rd, 2008 by 
ruah (Act One trains and mentors Christians of all denominations for careers in mainstream film and television. We prepare our students to produce film and TV projects that combine mastery of craft with great depth and meaning. As a non-profit organization, we are wholly devoted to the professional and spiritual development of our students.)
Posted in Films, Job Opportunity | 
No Comments »
June 22nd, 2008 by ruah Which is best? To remain obscure, perpetually in debt and tortured, but humble? Or to be invited to higher places and step by step win acclaim, falling victim to vainglory? Perhaps there’s a way to remain both humble and be recognized in the world, and if I had my guess, this may be the destiny of Grassroots Films, whose talent is obvious, and name increasingly whispered amongst the film circuit, but whose goal is the greater glory of God and the salvation of souls.
This is all fanfare to say that Grassroots Films just was awarded the Best Documentary Feature at the Maui Film Festival, an “Audience Award.” Having seen this very good feature myself in Madison (or at least a version of it) last November, it’s not so surprising that it’s becoming recognized. It is surprising, though to see the mission statement of the Maui Film Fest. It’s kind of spiritual, actually.
It all seems very lovely and inspirational. Get this. This mission is
The Maui Film Festival is built on the belief that great filmmaking is pure alchemy. When filmmakers choose to tell compassionate life-affirming stories, they can change darkness into light. It is this belief in the power of creativity to enlighten, as well as entertain, that is the guiding principal that gives the Maui Film Festival its character, its energy and its soul.
You can be as inspirational as you want but you can’t have a good film festival without funding, and you can’t get funding without sponsorship, and you can’t get sponsor ship without starpower, or in this case “luminarypower.”
A-LIST ‘LUMINARIES’
Since the inaugural Maui Film Festival at Wailea, the Festival has chosen an ‘ohana’ (family) of honorees that it prefers to call luminaries, rather than merely celebrities. As the Festival defines it, a luminary is a film artist whose overall body of work sheds as much light as heat and whose talent and work ethic place them in a category that transcends mere celebrity. A luminary is the real deal.The list includes: Joan Allen (Galaxy Award), Angela Bassett (Pathfinder Award), Jessica Biel (Shining Star Award),Adrien Brody (Friend of the Festival),Tim Burton (Silversword Award), Patricia Clarkson (Pathfinder Award), Claire Danes (Nova Award), Geena Davis (Stella Award), Clint Eastwood (Silversword Award), Jake Gyllenhaal (Shining Star Award), Laird Hamilton & Dave Kalama (Beacon Award),Woody Harrelson (Navigator Award),Ted Hope (Trailblazer Award),Anthony Hopkins (Silversword Award), Helen Hunt (Stella Award),William Hurt (Navigator Award), Greg Kinnear (Navigator Award), William H. Macy (Rainmaker Award), Bill Maher (Maverick Award), Mike Myers (Silversword Award), John C. Reilly (Navigator Award), Rob Reiner (Lights! Camera! Passion! Award), and Owen & Luke Wilson (Shooting Star Award).
It’s all very fancy and certainly hopeful in a world growing darker by the day. Congratulations, Grassroots!
Posted in Films, Light & Dark, Artists | No Comments »
February 3rd, 2008 by ruah What would happen in Darfur, in the Philippines, in the Holy Land if the faithful laid down their lives in holy martyrdom?
The Sixteen Martyrs of Compiegne did just that in 1794, and the terror of the French Revolution ended ten days later. Behold the revolution of contemplation.
And Act One’s Barbara Nicolosi breaks the good news that Origin Entertainment has optioned for the rights to the martyrs’ tale in To Quell the Terror by William Bush:
I’m excited. I just got a message from my business partners at Origin that the paperwork has gone through, and we officially have to option on this book:
The title there is To Quell the Terror: The Mystery of the Vocation of the Sixteen Carmelites of Compiegne. Set during the darkest days of the French Revolution, this story is about sixteen women ages 27 to 78 who brought about the end of the Great Terror by an offering themselves body and soul to save the people of France.
The nuns’ story was fictionalized in a book called The Song at the Scaffold, by Gertrud von LeFort, and then turned into a beautiful opera called The Dialogues of the Carmelites. But the real story - which is kind of The Mission meets Amadeus - uh, with women - has never been dramatized.
I will be writing the screenplay while Origin puts the project in development (ie. looks for financing). And we can brood and pull our hair out over the financing tomorrow. Today, I am really, really happy and honored that I have the grace to work on this project.
I saw the Dialogues a couple years ago, and the opera–even on DVD–was profoundly striking, and more than any artistic piece I can think of taught me the power of the sign of the cross. You have to see it to know precisely what I’m talking about. Stay tuned here for updates on the Screenwriting of a story of women whose inaction brought death to the French devolution and Life might shine in a land soiled with the blood of martyrs.
Posted in Films, I Heart the Cross | No Comments »
January 21st, 2008 by ruah 
When’s the last time someone’s talk about spiritual combat made you cry? Right. Exactly. Perhaps never. But when Lauralee Farrer demurely launched into her talk on said topic at the WAG conference, “Jumping outside the self-referential box” last May, my interest in her delicate and authentic gravitas quickly enveloped my entire person. As she spoke of her spiritual journey, culminating in a Jeremiah moment, complete with fire in her artistic bones, I knew what she was speaking about. The only difference was that the artistic fire was still shut up in my bones (do you know that Sarah Groves song?), whereas Farrer had stepped into the creative abyss of uknowing. She gave her words to God in a darkness so enveloping it shone with a brilliance that only abandonment can birth.
What’s the fruit of that abandonment? Her first feature length documentary, The Fair Trade. See the teaser, and wonder the worth of life, death, love and commerce. Would you you like to see a film like this in the Madison area? Email me and we’ll start the conversation. (ruahfellowship@gmail.com)
Posted in Films, Artists | 1 Comment »
December 10th, 2007 by ruah We’re driving accross the midwest this weekend, *just* in time for a storm. Sweet. Leaving Friday instead of Saturday=no Ruah Movie night. 
Sorry to be a Debbie Downer , but we’ll have to skip December movie night. See you January 18th for the next movie!
Blessings to you this Christmas!
Posted in Films, Events | 1 Comment »
November 16th, 2007 by ruah 
Will it be good? Will Hollywood get history wrong as usual? Come and find out.
Time: 6:30 drinks and snacks; 7:00pm movie
Place: Ruah House (111 S. 6th Street, Mt. Horeb)
BYOWhatever
Posted in Films, Events | 1 Comment »
November 13th, 2007 by ruah 
Thanks to everyone who made the Human Experience Madison PreScreening a success! Whilst a few connections were missed, I was late in getting the registration list to my volunteers, etc. etc., it was overwhelmingly very fruitful. Joe Campo and Michael Campo loved Madison, enjoyed the screening and valued tremendously the feedback.
There were so many people who helped–you know who you are–but some people who really bent over backwards include my main financial benefactors Fr. Eric Nielsen, the Diocese of Madison’s Office of Evangelizaton & Office of Justice and Pastoral Outreach and Kay Schacte. I’m grateful also for the fantastic volunteer efforts of Lisa Scheubel, Tira Jackson (artist who did the posters), Audrey Klingel, Leah Stader, Nan Delaney, Kay Schacte, Jennifer Wagner, Tim Huegerich, Beth Ptak and the St. Ambrose youth, Brad Frias and gang. Thanks so much, guys!
Stay tuned for Human Experience follow up and feedback. I know it was a powerful experience for many, and I’d love to brainstorm over ways to support Grassroots Films and respond to this artistic Molotov cocktail of a film.
Posted in Updates, Films | No Comments »
November 1st, 2007 by ruah 
We didn’t really sell anything. But the place is going to be full. Whether you can go to the premiere or not, I recommend you see Joe Campo at the Downtown parishes’ Theology on Tap on Thursday, November 8th 7pm.
Reminder on the details for the premiere:
Tuesday, November 6th 7pm.
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (in same building as the Overture Center)
Lecture Hall
Please call Jessica at 778-8528 if you have any special needs.
Posted in Films, Events | No Comments »
October 30th, 2007 by ruah 
It’s a week until the Madison premiere of “The Human Experience,” and there are only 22 Seats left. Register for free tickets.
Do you have a little time to help? Email Jessica at ruahfellowship@gmail.com to help with registration, set up or hospitality at reception afterwards.
Posted in Updates, Films, Events | No Comments »
September 26th, 2007 by ruah Posted in Films, Events, Light & Dark, Artists | No Comments »
