This Birmingham made feature film has taken the Catholic community in North America by storm, and is being lauded by prominent Catholic critics and reviewers worldwide. It is endorsed by the Shrine of Fatima, the World Apostolate of Fatima, and the Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, as an important text that ‘disseminates the true meaning and message of Fatima and its relevance for today’s world.’
The film is centred on the true story of three children who experienced apparitions with ‘a lady from Heaven’ which culminated into a final prophesied event, the ‘Miracle of the Sun’. The miracle, of the sun spinning and plunging toward earth, was witnessed by 70,000 people on 13 October 1917, at Fatima, in Portugal. The 13th Day is a dramatic portrayal of the events of Fatima as told by Sister Lucia, the oldest Seer, and uses state-of-the-art digital techniques to create images of the visions and miracle as they have never before been realized on screen. It is a powerful story of faith, courage, sacrifice and reparation – a poignant call for the world today to take heed of ‘Our Lady’s’ message at Fatima.
'A remarkable re-telling of the story of Fatima'
Archbishop Vincent NicholsThe 13th Day was the brainchild of the Executive Producer, a Birmingham catholic man, who felt that an increasingly doubting world needed a modern day miracle to prompt a reversal of this dangerous trend. He chose Fatima because it provided an indisputable public miracle lasting over ten minutes. At no other apparition site was such a public demonstration of the power of God provided to authenticate his message given for the world.
The Executive Producer invited local Producer, Natasha Howes, to work with him on the project and so 13th Day Films was born. Like many other Catholics, her knowledge of Fatima was limited to that learned at Sunday school. Little did she realize the relevance of her mission when she discovered that her birthday, May 13th, was the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima.
In fact, all the main creatives and talent were sourced from the West Midlands. The directors Ian and Dominic Higgins live in Birmingham and trained at Bournville Art College before experimenting in film. After a nationwide search to find the actors to play the role of the Little Seers, three first generation Portuguese unknowns auditioned and were selected from Catholic schools in Leamington Spa. It is the performance of Filipa Fernandes who plays Lucia Dos Santos the oldest Seer that has commanded most attention. Without any previous acting experience her performance is truly mesmerizing.
'A triumph of a film'
Sr Helena Burns, John Paul II International Film FestivalThe 13th Day was shot between the UK and Fatima, Portugal. It was important for the filmmakers to include known visual references to authenticate the viewing experience, especially for pilgrims of Fatima. So a custom-built studio was made in Earlswood, Solihull that replicated the interiors of the children’s homes and much of the exterior locations were shot in and around Fatima itself.
The visual style of the film is unique and distinctive, with a majority shot in black and white. The idea came about after reading though the documented eyewitness accounts of the ‘miracle of the sun’. They all described seeing changing colours around them. This sparked the idea of how colour needed to be used in the film. While black and white not only helps create a sense of the period, it also conveys a particular perception of the world where so much is hidden. Only when the children are connecting to that spiritual light do we glimpse a world of colour.
The filmmakers use new digital filmmaking technologies to create the feeling of a ‘big’ film so The 13th Day often feels epic in scale. The combination of the visual effects and the original music score and sound effects, the viewer is invited to really experience the apparitions and the Miracle, to be fully immersed in the film.
'The 13th Day is the best film ever made about Fatima'
Steven Greydanus, National Catholic RegisterThe 13th Day is based on the memoires of the Oldest Seer, Lucia and thousands of eye-witness accounts and testimonies from the day. Under the supervision of notable Fatima historians and specialists, and the Executive Producer, Leo Hughes, the team worked hard to ensure that they retained the authenticity of the story and the message of Fatima, whilst balancing it with the demands of a story-telling medium.
Natasha Howes says ‘By creating a film drama, we aimed to reach out to a wider audience. By inviting the viewer to connect emotionally with the events and people that make up the story of Fatima, they care more about the outcome. We wanted to incite interest in the viewer to want to know more.’
‘We are all incredibly grateful for this opportunity to have worked on a film with such spiritual resonance. We are humble in our recognition that it is Fatima that has driven the popularity of the film, and propelled our spiritual and professional development’.
Considerable funds were required to tell the full story but without a profit motivation. Proceeds from this film will be used in other works to spread the faith.
With full endorsement from the Shrine and leading spiritual authorities, The 13th Day is being used as a powerful text through which to promote Our Lady’s of Fatima’s call to prayer to your home, parish or school.
For more detailed information about the film, the story of Fatima, and to view the trailer visit The 13th Day website at: www.the13thday.com.
You can purchase a copy of The 13th Day directly from 13th Day Films from the website. Go to BUY DVD.
For more information about hosting a screening event in your parish, contact the Catholic Truth Society online at: www.cts-online.org.uk, or call directly on: 020 7640 0042.
To buy the DVD, visit: www.alivepublishing.co.uk
