Liberating a Continent: John Paul II and the Fall of Communism

Liberating a Continent: John Paul II and the Fall of Communism is a David Naglieri documentary about the role John Paul II played in the demise of the U.S.S.R., freeing Poland from the grips of the Communism and lifted the iron curtain. It is narrated by Jim Caviezel, his fourth narration of a documentary regarding the Catholic faith and the second of which is about John Paul II.[2] It is directed by David Naglieri, who has also directed John Paul II in Ireland a Plea for Peace and John Paul II in America: Uniting a Continent. The former is the first documentary Caviezel narrates that deals with John Paul II. It portrays the 9 day visit to Poland the Pope made in 1979, where he influenced the Solidarność movement. It also documents how, after the Communist leaders of Poland declared martial law, it was John Paul II who lead the movement to end it and how he met with the Communist leaders of Poland and changed the course of history.

Liberating a Continent: John Paul II and the Fall of Communism
Poster
Directed byDavid Naglieri
Produced byThe Knights of Columbus
Written byDavid Naglieri
Starring
Music byJoe Kraemer
CinematographyGeorge Hosek
Edited by
  • Marc Boudignon
  • Ted Maynard
Distributed byPublic Broadcasting Service[1]
Release date
  • February 22, 2018 (2018-02-22)
Running time
93 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Synopsis

Liberating a Continent is about the role Pope John Paul played in the demise of Communism, the leader of which was the U.S.S.R. (The Soviet Union). It argues that JPII's visit to Poland and his call to Freedom, liberated the continent Poland, which was the first crack in the wall, the Berlin Wall, and removal of the iron curtain. The documentary argues that the fall of communism began with John Paul II's 1979 visit to Poland, which resulted in the demise of, as Ronald Reagan called it, an Evil Empire. It explains how John Paul engendered a revolution of conscience which cause the collapse of the Soviet Union without a single bullet being fired.[3]

Cast

Purpose

David Naglieri said, regarding the film, that "the reason we set out to make this film is to kind of cement the legacy of Pope John Paul II."[5] However, the purpose, the reason, for the film is ultimately to not only entertain, but to educate the viewer about one of the most influential people of the 20th century and to bring him to those who know him not.

Jim Caviezel stated that John Paul II had influenced his career tremendously. He said that he probably never would have played Jesus in Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ if it weren't for John Paul II, and actually probably never would have been an actor.[2] Caviezel actually had an audience with the Pope in 2004 before the release of The Passion.[6] He also talked about his audience with the Pope in an interview with Craig Ferguson.[7]

Awards

Liberating a Continent was well received during the award process and won multiple awards.[8]

YearAwardCategoryResultNotes
2014 DocMiami International Film Festival Most Inspirational Documentary Award Won
Hollywood International Film Festival Feature Documentary Won
2016 Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards Outstanding Achievement Photography Won [9][10]
Outstanding Achievement for Documentary Programs Won
Mexico International Film Festival Best Feature Film Won
WorldFest Houston Documentary Won
2017 New Haven Film Fest Best Biographical Documentary Film Won

References
  1. ""Liberating a Continent: John Paul II and the Fall of Communism," Various Dates, PBS".
  2. "Jim Caviezel talks about his Catholic faith and John Paul II".
  3. "'Liberating a Continent: John Paul II and the Fall of Communism' Wins Emmy Awards".
  4. "Jim Caviezel, voice of a documentary about John Paul II Liberator that excites George Weigel".
  5. "There's a generation that didn't know John Paul II – this film is for them".
  6. "When the Man Who Played Jesus in "The Passion of the Christ" Met John Paul II".
  7. "Jim Caviezel on The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson 2005" (Interview).
  8. "Liberating a Continent: John Paul II and the Fall of Communism Awards".
  9. "Liberating a Continent: John Paul II and the Fall of Communism Wins Emmy Awards".
  10. "Film looks at John Paul II and the fall of communism".
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