The luminous drama Petra de San José, directed by the solid filmmaker Pablo Moreno, written by the solvent Andrés Garrigó and Pedro Delgado, managed by the veteran Goya Producciones and distributed by the successful European Dreams Factory with the support of Bosco Films promo.
In essence, the film work tells the story of Ana Josefa -beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 16, 1994-, a brave and pious young woman born in the Abdalajís valley, in Malaga. She is excited, about to get engaged in marriage. But she has mixed feelings and finds her definitive vocation in helping the most abandoned. So she will leave everything to start a life of prayer, penance and charity, and later found the Congregation of Mothers of the Forsaken and San José de la Montaña.
A path, by the way, not easy, subject to the social conventions of the nineteenth century. On the other hand, and intertwined with the story of the mysterious theft of Petra’s remains during the beginning of the Spanish civil war, Petra of Saint Joseph It also affects the experiences of the young woman along with those of other women determined to follow in her footsteps. They knew how to see Christ in the poor, despite the rejection and slander of those closest to them.
Film director Pablo Moreno is doing better and better. Petra of Saint Joseph (2021) is his ninth film for the cinema and the good work is noticeable. In it, the religious sources with which she has been building her filmography are recognized. To a forbidden god (2013), which was his first highly successful feature film on all levels, was preceded by Paul of Tarsus: The Last Voyage (2010) and the short film Sunrise (2012).
Later it has been a non-stop of more elaborate stories and with better formal finishes, with strong men and women, with a great theological component, so we can point out that he is one of the youngest filmmakers who at 38 years old, and without any qualms , delves into the core of faith and gives his stories a very identifiable relief, in which his own style can already be seen. This is how they show it light of loneliness Y povedashot in 2006; Fatima, the last mystery Y Freedom Network in 2007; claret in 2020 and Holy Land. the last pilgrim in 2021.
In this way, it is easy to deduce that he surrounds himself with the best. On the occasion before us, Petra of Saint Joseph, Moreno has had a great team of writers and an efficient technical team that maximizes its visual bill. In this way he achieves an eloquent atmosphere, very well set from its staging, as well as a refined portrait of the 1950s or the start of the Spanish Civil War, where the costume design served acquires great prominence. Not to mention the wise montage exercise exhibited and the subtle and suggestive soundtrack, which underlines essential moments of the adventure.
Telefamily Foundation
Narrated in several timelines -fundamental subplot in the civil war episode- at all times Petra of Saint Joseph It unfolds chronologically and is an elegant and modest film, respectful of all the conflicts that occur – anticlericalism and well-treated prejudices – with credible and well-defined characters – far from the usual stereotypes -, which give them closeness and empathy with the viewer. Petra of Saint Joseph he always knows where he is going and what his goals are.
Telefamily Foundation
In addition, we also detect in Moreno his virtues as a narrator. Beyond its circular structure and its good closure, Petra of Saint Joseph It stands out for its expository simplicity, for the way it has to approach each historical event through the intimate gaze transmitted by Marian Arahuetes, the actress who gives life to Ana, the main character she embodies in her youth. Olga Mansilla gives another great acting lesson by putting herself in the shoes of the same character in her old age. From the point of view of both, the viewer will follow the story carefully, helped by the good cast that the film has, where popular faces such as Assumpta Serna, Pablo Viña, Emilio Linder or Luisa Gavasa can be seen, among others. .
Another striking aspect of Petra of Saint Joseph it has to do with the Christian vocation, with the way in which God wants his will to be done for the good of all souls, although this paralyzes Ana at first and supposes a frontal clash with the style of family sophistication where she is integrated, although be in line with Christian life and customs. Also, Petra of Saint Joseph It also portrays with personality the issues around arranged marriages, jealousy, envy and the moral evil that settles in those people who are never happy with themselves.
It is striking, by the way, that until now no one has stopped to value such a fundamental figure in history. For when a more critical spirit on the matter? We know that religious cinema sells. And now we have a golden opportunity to enjoy it with Petra of Saint Joseph, an essential film in the hands of a seventh art craftsman who touches the heart. You have the word. What if “you will also be for me”?
Movie website: https://www.petradesanjose.com/
Jose Luis Panero