Pope Francis Biopic Release Date, Cast & Story: Relive Bergoglio’s Papal Journey
Two biopics based on the life of Jorge Mario Bergoglio or Pope Francis are currently in the works.
According to a report from Variety, two rival feature films will both showcase A-list Argentine actors to portray Bergoglio before he was elected as the leader of the Catholic Church. Both movies are currently being filmed in Spanish, and are also both based on books written by reporters at the same newspaper, Buenos Aires daily La Nacion.
'Call Me Francesco'
Daniele Luchetti's "Call Me Francesco" is now being filmed in the Argentine capital and will star "The Motorcycle Diaries" actor Rodrigo de la Serna as the young Bergoglio, while Sergio Hernandez will depict him in the later parts of the biopic. Mercedes Moran will play Esther Ballestrino, an exiled Paraguayan communist who will become friends with Bergoglio, Fox News Latino reported.
"The figure of the pope takes on a very human and very real dimension, and the film provides a look at a really special historical period for us," Moran said, as quoted by Fox News Latino.
According to Italian director Daniele Luchetti, the biopic will take viewers for a look at Bergoglio's youth, particularly "his path, his doubts, his mistakes, his strong points," the news outlet noted.
"We want to tell the human journey of this man who today is the greatest spiritual leader of our time," Luchetti said on Friday during the film's presentation, as quoted by Fox News Latino.
"Call Me Francesco" is based on the bestselling book "Francisco. El Papa de la gente" ("Francis: The People's Pope") written by journalist Evangelina Himitian. The biopic's screenplay was written by Martin Salinas, the news outlet added.
'Francisco'
Another biopic about Pope Francis will be based on Vatican correspondent Elisabetta Pique's biography titled "Pope Francis: Life and Revolution: A Biography of Jorge Bergoglio," and is titled "Francisco," The Hollywood Reporter stated.
"The story will involve a young Spanish journalist who meets Bergoglio at the 2005 conclave. The film will follow 'Father Jorge' in his struggle against the abuses of the Argentine dictatorship, his social work in the slums and his fight against prostitution, slave work, drug trafficking and corruption. The end will re-create the backstage of the 2013 conclave that elected Bergoglio as Pope Francis," The Hollywood Reporter noted.
Dario Grandinetti will take on the role of the former Buenos Aires archbishop. He will be joined by actors Silvia Abascal, Jorge Marrale, Carlos Hipolito, Leonor Manso, Laura Novoa, and Leticia Bredice in the feature film, the news outlet added.
"We hope this film will transmit the admiration all of us feel for the coherence of a life based on austerity and charity, and that will inspire people," said director and screenplay writer Beda Docampo Feijoo, as quoted by Paste Magazine.
"Francisco" premieres in Latin America and Spain theaters in July 2015, Paste Magazine noted.