Film: Cabrini

There is a striking bronze of the St Francesca Cabrini, popularly known as Mother Cabrini, in St George's Cathedral in Southwark. A sickly Italian nun, with a passion for the poor, she became one of the first American citizens to be canonised as a saint. I knew nothing about her so I was delighted to be able to watch this beautiful and inspirational new film about her life produced by Metanoia films. This is the same team behind Sound of Freedom, the drama about child trafficking that was a surprise hit last summer.

Cabrini concentrates on the nun's first few years on coming to America in the late 1880s. Her desire had been to go to China, but this was refused. Unperturbed, she boldly insists on speaking to the Pope (Leo XIII), played by Italian actor Giancarlo Gianna. He, seeing her force of character, sends her instead to America, where the poverty and suffering of the newly arrived Italian immigrants had reached his attention.

Cabrini arrives with half a dozen of her sisters in their black dresses and bonnets into the filth and depravity of the slums of New York. They are not welcomed by the official Church but touchingly it is a battered prostitute who is the only one to show them hospitality.

The film, typical of director Alejandro Monteverde's work, is beautifully shot. Every scene looks like a beautiful chiaroscuro painting. Even the slums and sewers somehow manage to look romantic, lit as they are with soft candlelight and gas lamps. Although I loved the look, I did wonder if this rather dinted the harshness and reality of it. On reflection, however, I decided that in a way it was appropriate because of Mother Cabrini's faith and her understanding of God being with her. This would have enabled her to see beauty and possibility where to others there was none.

Cabrini, played by Cristiana Dell/Anna, a bilingual actress, may look like a Madonna, but she ably incarnates the fierce passion of the nun, who is not afraid to take on anyone. None of the men, however powerful or evil are a match for her force and passion and political acumen. Far from holding grudges, when she goes to confront the corrupt mayor (John Lithgow), whom Cabrini suspects of colluding in the burning down of her new hospital, she negotiates with him, warning him that if he wants the Italian immigrant vote in the next election, he needs to support her work and not undermine her. He gets the message and they drink whisky together.

The story positively races along, underlining Mother Cabrini's superhuman strength and vision. I am sure things were a little more difficult than is portrayed in the film. Feral children don't usually scrub up quite so easily and turn into co-operative obedient pupils. Also I can imagine working under such a driven demanding woman, even if she was a saint must have been hard to live up to for her fellow nuns. But none of this is explored. Instead the film concentrates in a vivid way on Cabrini's remarkable faith, courage and ingenuity and trust in God.

If the film is a bit one note, maybe we need this clear example of what someone who is dedicated to God and who trusts him, can achieve.. Her vision was huge - a determination to build as she said "An Empire of Hope". When she arrived in America she was told she only had two years to live because of her damaged lungs. But she defied the doctors too and lived until she was 67! Her legacy remains today in a huge network of hospitals, schools and orphanages round the world.

Watch the official trailer here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuFkt3w-7kI

Cabrini is being released this Friday 8th March, to mark Woman's Day at 7.20 pm at the Vue West End, Leicester Square ( see: www.myvue.com/film/cabrini ) and a few other venues. It will go on general release on 15 March.