Behold, Francesco: Brother Sun, Sister Moon

Director Franco Zeffirelli's Brother Sun, Sister Moon focuses on the early years of Francis of Assisi, who sought communion with the natural world by renouncing his family's riches to seek his own destiny unencumbered by material possessions, Francis was, in a sense, history's first "drop-out": he left a life of comfort to seek a spiritual union with the world. 

Brother Sun, Sister Moon is an uncommonly rewarding and meaningful film experience. This Academy Award nominated film was also co-scripted by Zeffirelli (Romeo and Juliet, Jane Eyre) and Lina Wertmuller (Seven Beauties, Swept Away).

Behold, Francesco

It’s Official: Pope Francis will be joining us in Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families in 2015. Though the details of the Papal Visit have not yet been confirmed, Pope Francis is expected to be here from Saturday, September 26th through Sunday, September 27th for the Festival of Families and Papal Mass.

In celebration of this event, IHP will screen two films on the life of St. Francis of Assisi, this Pope's namesake. 
 

"Behold, Francesco" the IHP series, will begin with Roberto Rossellini's 1950 classic film The Flowers of St. Francis (Francesco, Giullare di Dio). Based on two books, the 14th-century Little Flowers of St. Francis (Fioretti Di San Francesco)  and The Life of Brother Juniper(La Vita di Frate Ginepro), which relate the life and work of St. Francis and the early Franciscans. The second film in the series will be Brother Sun, Sister Moon (Fratello Sole, Sorella Luna) a 1972 film directed by Franco Zeffirelli depicting the early life and conversion of Francesco Pietro Bernardone, over time to become St.Francis. Both films will be screened from 35mm prints. IHP would like to thank Janus films, Paramount Pictures, Lowell Peterson, ASC and The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences Film Archive for the use of their materials.