Saint movie ‘Cabrini’ to open in SA on March 8

The first canonised saint from the United States, St Frances Xavier Cabrini, is the subject of a new film, which will open in South African cinemas and internationally on March 8.

Made by Alejandro Monteverde, the award-winning director of Sound of Freedom, Cabrini tells the story of the Italian-born nun who arrived in 1889 in New York City and succeeded against all odds in her mission to secure housing, education and healthcare for the impoverished and vulnerable.

In doing so, she faced problems like language and ill health, opponents such as the city’s hostile mayor, a patriarchal Church and society, and anti-immigrant prejudices.

She founded a religious congregation, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to accomplish her mission.

St Cabrini died on December 22, 1917, and was canonised by Pope Pius XII in 1946.

Cabrini stars Italian actress Cristiana Dell’Anna as Sr Frances, acclaimed actors John Lithgow (as the mayor) and David Morse (as the archbishop), award-winning Italian actor Giancarlo Giannini (as Pope Leo XIII), and Federico Castelluccio, who starred in the TV series The Sopranos as Furio Giunta.

The film has been well-received by critics, with a score of 94% on the reviews aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cabrini)

The March 8 opening of Cabrini is timed to coincide with International Women’s Day.

Ticket bookings to see Cabrini are available at Nu Metro and Ster-Kinekor cinemas nationwide as well as The Labia Theatre in Cape Town.

Trailer:

For more information see https://www.gravelroadafrica.com/cabrini