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HOMER GLEN, Ill. — It’s not every day that producers of a major motion picture organize a private screening for the Byzantine Catholic Church. Such was the case, however, for “Paul, Apostle of Christ,” released in theaters March 23.
ODB Films organized the exclusive pre-release screening at Annunciation Parish Feb. 19, and two Byzantine Catholic media were invited: Horizons and Father Thomas J. Loya, the pastor and radio host of “Light of the East.”
ODB’s chief of productions, Katie Reidy, who worships regularly at Annunciation Parish, coordinated the screening.
The film, which stars James Faulkner and Jim Caviezel, recounts the last days in the life of St. Paul. Catholic writer and director Andrew Hyatt presents an elderly and ascetic Paul, burdened by his sinful past but convicted in the grace of God.
The $5-million film was produced by ODB Films, in partnership with SONY’s Christian film wing, AFFIRM Films.
Eric Groth, founder of ODB Films and a devout Catholic, introduced the film at the screening and took questions from the guests.
“Our mission is to produce artfully made, spiritually rich films to help people encounter Christ,” he said. In regards to “Paul, Apostle of Christ,” Groth said he wants viewers to walk away with the message that “it doesn’t matter who you are, what you’ve done or where you’ve been. Nobody is too far removed from the grace of God. God’s mercy is available for everyone.”
The film, which is dedicated to those persecuted for their faith, grossed $5 million at the box office in its first weekend.
Read Horizons’ interviews with the film’s writer/director and with Reidy on pages 10 & 11.
Caption: Jim Caviezel (left) portrays the Evangelist Luke and James Faulkner portrays the Apostle Paul in the film “Paul, Apostle of Christ,” released in theaters worldwide March 23, just in time for Holy Week. (Photo: 2018 CTMG. All rights reserved.)
As published in Horizons, March 25, 2018
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