Focus: A Film Review (1948-1949)

132 FOCUS CATHOLIC FILM Arrangements are in hand for the General Council Meeting of the International Catholic Cinema Office which is to take place in London in July. It involves much organisation and as there will be between 50 and 60 delegates from 25 countries, we are anxious that all should go well. The centre for the meetings is to be the Newman International Centre at 31 Portman Square, London, W.l. Plans for our Summer Conference are also developing. Again much organisation is involved and we are finding that our available helpers are already overburdened. The most difficult point to settle is a suitably central venue. There are many halls and other meeting places out of the centre of London but these are often inconvenient to provincial visitors. The Walsingham film Crucifers to Walsingham, should be ready by the time these lines appear. There has been much delay over this film due not to dilatoriness but to overwork of all those concerned with its production. It will be shown, we hope, in company with the Mexican film Francis of ;4.s.sisi which we are planning to bring over to this country for a premiere in aid of the Catholic Film Society. The Franciscan Friars Minor of Merchant’s Quay, Dublin, have kindly promised to lend us the film for the occasion, but in view of the success achieved by Monsieur Vincent , it may well be that it will be possible to think of an extended distribution of this fine film in this country. It is a matter of finance. If there were some Catholic businessmen convinced of the need of making Catholic films available to the general public, they might emulate the success of Monsieur Vincent and start the distribution of worthwhile Catholic films, at the same time making a profit for themselves ! It is exasperating to think that they might have been enjoying the financial success now accruing to the French film in this country if they had had more confidence in our judgment ! SOCIETY NOTES Incidentally, and pace some friends of ours who think to the contrary, it does take quite a lot of money to obtain copies of promising foreign films for showing in this country. But there is no reason why, now that Monsieur Vincent has shown the way, we should not be able to start a stream of sound foreign films. Think it over. Monsieur Vincent has received another distinction. It has been voted the best foreign film to be shown in America during 1948. Another compliment to the judgment of O.C.I.C. and C.F.S. is the distinction given in America to The Search, the film which received the Special Award of O.C.I.C. It was voted an Oscar for the acting of Ivan Jandl, the little Czech boy whose playing of the principal character is so moving. It is gratifying to know that the verdict of the world press follows our own in these two cases. The Catholic Film Societv is planning to make a film of the Vatican City and Museums in preparation for the Holy Year. Mr. Arthur Leslie, our vicechairman, is shortly to go to Rome on location and will undertake production on our behalf. Subscriptions by way of donations or on loan for this purpose will be gratefully received. Consult the Catholic Film Society We have heard recently of several religious organisations that have paid fantastic sums for poor or indifferentlv made films. In view of the fact that there is not too much money available for Catholic film making, it seems a pity that a competent Catholic organisation was not consulted in the first place. May we suggest that if any Catholic organisation is thinking of having a film, however long or short, made, they should consult the Catholic Film Society. We have access to expert technical advice on all subjects connected with film and it costs nothing to consult us.