Alberto Castellani is an Italian filmmaker who has done a lot of religious documentary. One of his latest works is a series on the life of Christ entitled In the Footsteps of Christ. There is a beautiful story behind the production of this documentary that is worthwhile sharing.
Castellani maybe a stranger to us but he is well known in Italy for the religious-artistic value of his works. Perhaps it could be surmised that his production of religious documentary does not have anything to do by way of expressing his faith until he met an accident that radically changed his outlook in life. This accident led him into an in-depth soul searching. He realized that he had been producing a lot of religious films but he was only doing it to satisfy his artistic pursuits and nothing else. The third millenium is about to come, and here he is, at the crossroad of his life asking himself: What can he do for God? This realization led him to go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and retrace the footsteps of Jesus. He found his experience so enriching that he decided to share it to people by producing this documentary with another colleague of his.
These videos were filmed between 1996 and 1997 in Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Syria. The documentary offers the viewers information concerning the dramatic events that took place in those parts of the world twenty centuries ago. They also help us to re- examine the events of the Gospel and to meet Jesus in a new way.
The filmmakers employ archeology, history and Scripture in their production of this documentary. Their presentation of the narrative totally immerses us in the atmosphere of daily life during the time of Jesus.
I would personally recommend these videos because they are very useful as a reflection tool for recollections and retreats and study aid for seminars and religious courses. By the way, In the Footsteps of Christ comes in a series of ten programs in five videocassettes.
