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Bella the movie: next Passion of the Christ?
Renew America ^ | 10/22/2007 | J. Matt Barber

Posted on 10/23/2007 10:37:37 AM PDT by Pyro7480

Bella, an independent film staring Mexican superstar Eduardo Verástegui, is scheduled for limited release in theatres on October 26. The movie, an inspirational drama set in modern-day New York, has what America's been asking for but what Hollywood refuses to give.

Having won the People's Choice Award at last year's Toronto Film Festival, you'd think major Hollywood distribution companies would be crawling over one another for a crack at the film. But such is not the case. Bella's central theme puts a premium on the value of human life — including life in the womb — and that is a value Hollywood just won't tolerate.

Just as the Hollywood left scoffed at The Passion of the Christ, it has largely ignored the award winning Bella. The movie's life-affirming message just doesn't comport with Tinseltown's narrow leftist agenda.

But the folks at Roadside Attractions, a division of Lionsgate Entertainment, knew a good thing when they saw it and scooped up this moral masterpiece. Bella's creators are hoping to reach as many people as possible with the film's principal message: "True love goes beyond romance."

In Bella, Eduardo Verástegui stars as José, a once-famous professional soccer player who finds himself working as a cook in his brother's New York City restaurant following a tragic, career-ending accident that leaves him broke, haunted and utterly discontent.

But José soon learns that God can turn all things for good. Nina, a single waitress played by Tammy Blanchard is also down on her luck. She confides in José that she's discovered she's pregnant. As she is confronted with the choice between life and death for her little one, José is able to tap his own turbulent life experiences to offer Nina the wise counsel she so desperately needs.

Concerned Women for America (CWA) President Wendy Wright attended an advanced screening of the film. "Most movies follow a predictable story line," said Wright. "Bella, like real life, surprises you with a subtle yet profound story of exceptional grace."

And exceptional grace has also been one of the film's many positive byproducts. Although the movie has yet to be released, it's already moving hearts, changing minds and even saving lives. Co-writer and co-producer Leo Severino shared with CWA that he's aware of at least two instances where babies are alive today because of Bella's message of truth and love. In fact, by God's grace, the world has now been blessed with a real life Bella — a little girl named for the film — whose life was spared only hours before she was scheduled to die at the hands of an abortionist.

Yes, it's no wonder the Hollywood left wouldn't give Bella the time of day. The movie's timeless message is one they urgently wish to chill. It's a message not altogether unlike The Passion of the Christ, a message which reminds us all that the selfless sacrifice of one can mean the precious gift of life for another.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bella; movie; moviereview; prolife; thepassion
The vicious attacks on the movie have already started. Two reviewers compared to the hero of the film to a pedophile because of the opening scene.

'Bella' doesn't really connect

The film begins with a heavily bearded guy watching children play on a beach. Is he a pervert? Is he a terrorist? It's a disturbing first image.

Bella review

How does the hot guy from Chasing Papi go from being a champion soccer player to sitting on a beach gawking at little girls?

1 posted on 10/23/2007 10:37:38 AM PDT by Pyro7480
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To: topher; Mrs. Don-o; Coleus; monomaniac; eleni121; CTK YKC; AliVeritas; NYer; twin2; paltz

Ping!


2 posted on 10/23/2007 10:40:55 AM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Jesu, Jesu, Jesu, esto mihi Jesus" -St. Ralph Sherwin's last words at Tyburn)
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To: Pyro7480

.

MEL’s -PASSION- sparked by -WE WERE SOLDIERS-

http://www.Freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1085111/posts

.


3 posted on 10/23/2007 10:45:37 AM PDT by ALOHA RONNIE ("ALOHA RONNIE" Guyer/Veteran-"WE WERE SOLDIERS" Battle of IA DRANG-1965 http://www.lzxray.com)
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To: Pyro7480
Thank you for posting. I have seen previews of the movie and attended grassroots meetings with the objective of pre-selling theatres in order to show it and get good opening attendance numbers. This movie will have an incredibly powerful impact on audiences (Winner: Toronto Film Festival), if they go see it. It also has the potential to be seen by many people who did not (would not) go to see The Passion of the Christ. It's pro-life message is more subtle and doesn't require one to come from a religious perspective. It's a great human story. This is where its real power may be. NARAL's strategy is to ignore the film and hope that it stays out of the news.

Link to Bella website

4 posted on 10/23/2007 11:15:12 AM PDT by Servant of the Cross (the Truth will set you free)
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To: Servant of the Cross

Is it in Spanish?


5 posted on 10/23/2007 11:23:36 AM PDT by donna (We live in this fog of political correctness, where everything is perpetual deception.-John Hagee)
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To: donna
No, it is in English. The lead actor, the director and the producer are of Latin heritage (legal!) and have called themselves the Three Amigos.

Interestingly, they also enlisted Steven McEveety (Passion of the Christ) to assist in the project. Here's an excerpt from the website.

Sean Wolfington, a successful entrepreneur who had made a few contacts in Hollywood, was looking for a first-time investment opportunity to break into the film business. He came across the three amigos and invited them to pitch their project. After hearing a synopsis of the story, Wolfington knew he wanted to be a part of it. After committing and giving them the money, he called his friend Stephen McEveety (Braveheart, Passion of the Christ). He delivered what would be considered an appalling proposal. A director with no credits, an actor virtually unknown in the states, a writer who had never written anything, a very small budget, and minimal time frame for completion were all factors to be considered. Another leap of faith was needed, and miraculously McEveety agreed.

6 posted on 10/23/2007 11:37:42 AM PDT by Servant of the Cross (the Truth will set you free)
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To: Pyro7480

If it comes to this area, I will definitely be seeing this movie.


7 posted on 10/23/2007 11:39:21 AM PDT by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
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To: Pyro7480
"Bella" is about people making connections, but it's so far removed from how real people behave that it feels disconnected.

I don't know anyone who voted for Nixon.

Two lines that show how out of touch the press is.

8 posted on 10/23/2007 11:41:07 AM PDT by Bigoleelephant (Lawyers are to America what lead was to Rome.)
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To: Bigoleelephant

It is a very good movie. Everyone should go and see this movie and support the people involved. We can not take back Hollywood unless we have the support of the public.

Let’s take back Hollywood!!!


9 posted on 10/23/2007 11:55:16 AM PDT by It's me
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To: ALOHA RONNIE
I bought "The Passion..." for my daughter who was having some serious problems. I think that it started to bring her closer to Christ, as Savior.

I was at Camp Zama, in 12/65 when a lot of "Garry Owen" were catching the Bird, they didn't seperate ins and outs, if you remember. A whole lot of shaken going on, not that I blame them.

10 posted on 10/23/2007 12:12:24 PM PDT by Little Bill (Welcome to the Newly Socialist State of New Hampshire)
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To: Pyro7480

This movie, like the Passion of the Christ, has had many miracles associated with the making of the film. It is important that those that can see this film get out to see it in the first two weeks. Unfortunately, we live in the NW and the film will not be shown in this ultra secular part of the country.... :(


11 posted on 10/23/2007 12:33:59 PM PDT by mpstan
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To: mpstan

You can make it happen and have it shown in your area. If you are interested send me a PM and I can get you in touch with some people from the film.


12 posted on 10/23/2007 12:53:15 PM PDT by CTK YKC
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To: CTK YKC

YKC!


13 posted on 10/23/2007 12:57:16 PM PDT by Servant of the Cross (the Truth will set you free)
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To: Little Bill; All

.

A personal 1965 Journey:

‘WE WERE SOLDIERS ONCE..& YOUNG’...4 FREEDOM

http://www.Freerepublic.com/forum/a39626542519c.htm

.


14 posted on 10/23/2007 1:48:54 PM PDT by ALOHA RONNIE ("ALOHA RONNIE" Guyer/Veteran-"WE WERE SOLDIERS" Battle of IA DRANG-1965 http://www.lzxray.com)
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To: Servant of the Cross

.

STEPHEN McVEETY =

Producer of “BRAVEHEART”

Producer of “WE WERE SOLDIERS”

Producer of “PASSON of the Christ”

.


15 posted on 10/23/2007 5:49:17 PM PDT by ALOHA RONNIE ("ALOHA RONNIE" Guyer/Veteran-"WE WERE SOLDIERS" Battle of IA DRANG-1965 http://www.lzxray.com)
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To: Pyro7480

from an email I received from Eduardo Verastegui about Bella:

“I am so overwhelmed with joy by the support we have received all year, and most of all this week. Finding investors to finance “Bella” was the first miracle, the film completed was the second. The third and biggest miracle was when “Bella” Won the Toronto Film Festival, but the most touching of all has been traveling the country and meeting all of you, and your support this week
has been inspirational.

We have hundreds of theatres pre sold and many supporters are buying a 100 tickets for family, and others 10,000 to bless a whole city, anything to adopt these theatres, all in support of our film and its message.

I want you to know how grateful I am, and I hope when it comes out in theatres this Friday, you can sit in that chair, watch it on the big screen and know you were part of a miracle in action. It is a beautiful film that to me
was created by something bigger then us all, and I will never forget all of the passion, support and life this film has inspired.

If you can walk with me just a few more weeks and help us get the word out so this film can get it’s place in time and into the hearts and minds of as many people possible.

I have pasted below ways in which you can help, most of all by adopting a theatre or asking others to co-adopt a theatre.

Every email you send, blog you post, call you make, has a tremendous impact. As we all work together amazing things are happening.

God Bless,

Eduardo Verastegui
p.s. I am amazed by the unending genorocity of the people we have met through Bella. A young girl who can not afford her own rent, took all of her savings to adopt a theatre.
p.s. Our group sales Director says she has never seen anything like this.
This is a testament to you.
www.BellaTheMovie.com


WAYS TO HELP BELLA

1. Adopt a theatre opening weekend Oct 26 or the next weekend

a. 1 person buys 300 tickets

c 10 people buy 30 tickets

Give to family, churches or organizations
You can adopt a market as well buying 4200 tickets

2. Email us your e-mail list so we can send out our special movie mails
(email back to me))

3. Blog, post and message people about www.BelleTheMovie.com

4. Send email below to your email list and ask others to do the same


Film “Bella” in theatres this week - October 26

The story behind the making of the new movie, “Bella” is unbelievable!!!

...I know many of them and they deserve our support for making a movie that
is
transforming peoples lives. A group of first time filmmakers took a huge
leap of
faith to tell this beautiful story and miraculously won People’s Choice
Award in
Toronto, which is often an indicator of future Academy Award nominations,
with
past recipients including best picture winners & nominees “Chariots of
Fire”,
“American Beauty”, “Life is Beautiful”, “Crouching Tiger/Hidden Dragon”,
“Hotel
Rwanda” among others.

After seeing the film Producer Steve McEveety (Braveheart and The Passion of
the Christ)
signed on as the Executive Producer of “Bella” to help market the film and
it is coming out
nationwide Oct 26th.

Here is an article describing their release:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ia4622155e545932c2687de1fcbf5553b

There are other articles & videos at: www.BellaNews.com

By forwarding this email to your entire list, we show our support for quality films that celebrate the best of the human spirit and inspire people to live for others and to build a better world.

At the same time we will encourage filmmakers to create more beautiful films like it.

We need to support our friends who are working hard for us in Hollywood because if we don’t the market will continue to be flooded with films that don’t have the beauty that “Bella” has.
If the film has a big opening weekend it will go into even more theatres next week and touch more lives… so please try to turn out this week on opening weekend, Oct 26th.

I think the below email from my friend says it all.

Please pass this email on to everyone you know!


16 posted on 10/23/2007 7:48:28 PM PDT by eleni121 (+ En Touto Nika! By this sign conquer! + Constantine the Great)
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To: eleni121

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing this.


17 posted on 10/24/2007 8:41:48 AM PDT by Servant of the Cross (the Truth will set you free)
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To: Pyro7480

Need to see this movie. Hope it gets near enough to me.


18 posted on 10/24/2007 3:50:48 PM PDT by redgolum ("God is dead" -- Nietzsche. "Nietzsche is dead" -- God.)
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To: Pyro7480

http://www.bellafaithvideos.com/


19 posted on 10/25/2007 5:45:29 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Pyro7480
Movie has just passed $4,000,000.

Movie is now playing in my town/city.

Bella is now playing at just under 500 theaters...

The Bella the Movie website has been updated for locations just today that the movie opened at today... Website is having trouble keeping up...

20 posted on 11/16/2007 4:29:02 PM PST by topher (Let us return to old-fashioned morality - morality that has stood the test of time...)
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