c. 2007 Religion News Service

(UNDATED) Cardinal Justin Rigali wears a lot of hats: archbishop of Philadelphia, prince of the church, shepherd of souls, and lately, film promoter.

For several months, Rigali has been urging his flock to see the new film, “Bella,” and has asked parishes to host special screenings. Rigali and others say “Bella” is a small film that needs the church’s help to spread its big message.

“Bella,” set to open in 35 U.S. cities on Friday (Oct. 26), is a semi-fictional account of a day in the life of two single New York City restaurant workers, one struggling with an unplanned pregnancy, the other grieving over a tragic mistake.

Last year, the film won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival, and Catholic blogs, fraternal societies and local parishes across the country have joined a grass-roots effort to get the independent film into more mainstream theaters.

Roberta Combs, president of the Christian Coalition, e-mailed supporters with a message to see the film that “has already changed lives and saved babies. It is imperative that you and your friends fill seats” in theaters showing the film, she said.

Partly as a consequence, producer Sean Wolfington said hundreds of theaters across the country have already sold out for the opening of the movie, shot in New York City in just three weeks on a $3 million budget.

Despite obvious comparisons to “The Passion of the Christ” or “The Nativity,” “Bella” fans claim the film’s appeal lies in its life-affirming message, which they say is neither overtly religious nor overbearing.

“There’s no proselytizing. That hit me hard the first time I saw it,” said George Pond, a “Bella” fan from Texas who has seen the film several times at advance screenings. “I don’t have to be so verbal about Christianity. What means more than anything is how we act in normal life.”

The movie opens with the firing of waitress Nina, played by Tammy Blanchard. Torn over what to do about her pregnancy, she spends the day with the restaurant’s chef, Jose, played by Mexican telenovela star Eduardo Verastegui, who is also one of the film’s producers. Jose has his own challenge. A jovial soccer star before killing a child in a car accident, he needs to learn how to live a new kind of life.

The story centers on how Nina and Jose heal each other.

“Bella” fans say the message transcends the vitriol of typical debates over abortion rights, and portrays what real love is all about.

“This is not a movie that is political. It’s about what happens when people give and don’t take, when someone steps up and loves someone who needs to be loved,” said Andrew Walther, director of media relations for the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic men’s fraternal order.

Some Knights of Columbus councils have purchased tickets for local parishes.

It “has a pro-life message to it, but it doesn’t allow for division,” said Tricia Manion, director of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office for Youth and Young Adults. “In a simple, beautiful way, it describes the challenges that arise and the choices that can be made. We witness pain, struggle and questions.”

Three of the producers, including Verastegui, are Catholic; before “Bella,” they dedicated themselves to creating films that represent their faith, families and Latino heritage in a positive light.

Within minutes of meeting Verastegui and his partners, Wolfington agreed to help finance the film. “It was not a calculated decision. It was a gut call. Sometimes the `gut’ is God. A soft gentle whisper to your soul. With `Bella,’ I listened.”

Wolfington, who owned his own Internet marketing business and had never produced a movie, approached his friend Stephen McEveety, a producer on “The Passion of the Christ.” McEveety, who initially advised Wolfington to “run for the hills,” signed on as an executive producer of “Bella” after the film was completed.

With the premiere of the film approaching, Latino organizations, adoption agencies and anti-abortion groups have all hosted screenings.

Colin Mason, media director for the Population Research Institute in Front Royal, Va., has seen the movie twice, and has promoted the movie on Catholic blogs and other Internet sites.

“Life is precious, even if it’s inconvenient,” Mason said in a phone interview. “It’s a great message that everyone can get behind.”

Manion, from the Philadelphia archdiocese, said the movie strengthened her resolve to help young people face challenges with dignity and grace.

“Instead of cursing the darkness, we say we need to change the culture. They (“Bella” producers) say they’re only going to make positive movies. I thought that’s something I can support.”

KRE/RB END McCANN800 words

Photos from `Bella’ are available via https://religionnews.com.