After the official presentation at the Vatican on March 2nd, “Shades of Truth,” the new film written and directed by Liana Marabini, was screened this Monday at the Scripta Manent cultural space, as a preview before the Cannes Festival (five screenings are scheduled from May 13th to 19th in Cannes).
“Shades of Truth” is a film that aims to reveal the truth about Pope Pius XII and the Holocaust.
This is not the only film interested in the life of this Pope. The play “The Deputy” by German playwright Rolf Hochhuth and its adaptation, the highly controversial film “Amen” by Greek director Costa Gavras in 2002, reinforced the image of a cowardly pope complicit with Hitler’s regime.
Liana Marabini’s film is the first to offer a positive portrayal of Pius XII.
The film was presented in the Principality in front of a large audience, authorities, and dignitaries from Monaco, Italy, and France, in the presence of Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, Patron of the Sovereign Order of Malta, who emphasized that, finally, thanks to Liana Marabini, a film could restore the truth about Pope Pius XII “reserved by nature, but a true shepherd, not a politician.”
According to the cardinal, Pope Pacelli was unjustly condemned by history because, under fascism, he actually saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of Jews.
Liana Marabini recounted how she got the idea to make a film about Pius XII after five years of research and studies. “He is the most misunderstood figure of the 20th century. He suffered from being falsely accused of silence and inaction, whereas, through his direct and indirect actions, he himself and the Catholic Church, under his authority, saved the lives of nearly a million Jews.”
For the director, this truth is indeed the only one, with no other alternatives.
As shown on the film’s poster, the pope’s cassock also features the Star of David. This strong and clear message was explained to the audience by Liana Marabini: “The Cross and the Star of David are two symbols of martyrdom. These two religions (Jewish and Catholic), which emerge from one another, need more than ever to be united. And what could be more beautiful than the papal robe for them to come together?”
Moreover, the entire film was inspired by the events and those who truly experienced them, as evidenced by numerous documents preserved in private collections, libraries, and the Vatican Secret Archives freely accessible to the public.
Finally, when asked, “How did the filming proceed with such a cast?”, Liana Marabini replied: “I am very pleased with the work accomplished. All the actors, without exception, joyfully agreed to play their roles because they were fascinated by the story but especially by the figure of the Pope, so poorly known until now, yet so deeply human and just.”
“But do you anticipate a change in opinion after this film?”
Liana Marabini, on this point, has no doubt: “I believe it will change the hearts of those who judge Pius XII superficially, without having informed and documented themselves. I hope that, with the prayers of each of us, the beatification of this great Pontiff will come one day: for that, we are waiting for a miracle, which should come soon. Although it is natural to wonder if saving many lives from a horrible death is not already a miracle?”
