Sweet "Bella"

Diane and I got a chance to see Bella on Monday. The little independent film won a standing ovation and People's Choice award at the Toronto film festival. It's a simple film about redemption after loss and a strong affirmation of life. It's hard to say much more about it without giving away the simple plot. Check the paper to see if it's still playing, or put it on your Netflix queue.

The male lead is played by Eduardo Verástegui, who also co-produced the film. Frederica Mathewes-Green introduces him in her review of the film:

For years he was a hugely successful soap opera star and singer, "the Brad Pitt of Mexico." But after experiencing a deeper commitment to his Roman Catholic faith, Verástegui began to regret his part in reinforcing adulterous "Latin lover" stereotypes. In a speech this past May to the annual pro-life Rose Dinner in Ottawa, Verástegui said that some of his earlier work had sent messages that are "poisoning society." He went on, "It broke my heart. I realized that I was offending God." He summed up, "I wasn't born to be famous or rich. I was born to know and love and serve our Lord Jesus Christ." In a chance encounter at his church, he met movie producer Leo Severino, and they formed Metanoia Films.

"Metanoia" is a Greek word that means "to change one's mind" or--as is often translated in English Bibles--"to repent."

Considering that backstory behind the film, some might think Bella would be simply a vehicle for an overtly religious message. But there's a difference between a "Christian film" and a film produced by Christians. Bella is the latter. Check it out.

CitizenLink has an interview with Eduardo Verástegui, and World and Plugged In have reviews of the film. Watch the trailer here.