Production
Interviews with historians and Franciscan leaders, and the historical conference on St. Elizabeth were taped on high definition video (HDV) in Rome in February 2007 at the convent of the Suore Francescane Angeline, the Antonianum (Franciscan University), and the Basilica of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, the headquarters of the Third Order Regular. The taping of the events of the centenary continued with the Mass and prayer service in Assisi on November 16-17, 2007, and ended with the closing ceremonies and further interviews in Esztergom and Budapest Hungary on November 15-22, 2008.
The production will continue with historical recreations, and conclude with post-production work.
The documentary will be distributed on DVD by Tau Cross Books and Media, accompanied by a study guide on Elizabeth's life.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231) has long been recognized as one of the glories of the Franciscan family, celebrated for her holiness, her Franciscan spirit of poverty and her work with the poor, both as a wife and mother and later as a religious. But the true details of her life remain far too little known.
Our hour-long documentary, tentatively titled A Woman for Our Time: St. Elizabeth of Hungary, will chronicle the celebration of the eighth centenary of Elizabeth's birth in 2006-2008, while also telling the story of her life through art works, historical re-enactments, narration and interviews with historians and Franciscans. It will include comments and reminiscences of those who love Elizabeth and follow her Franciscan way of life and charitable example today, demonstrating that she is still a woman for our time.
This film will be an inspiration to Secular Franciscans; Elizabeth's life as a laywoman, wife and mother is one that we can readily identify with. It will also be a wonderful means for leading people into the Order. Young people will be especially inspired by this young woman's social conscience, and the way she loved God in action. The general Catholic viewer will also find the film informative and inspiring.
