Customer Reviews

Faustina (Faustyna) [VHS]

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Note: Polish with English subtitles.

Sister Maria Faustina (born Helena Kowalska in Glogowiec, Poland on August 25, 1905) was canonized on April 30, 2000 by Pope John Paul II thus becoming the first Catholic saint of the 21st century. This all Polish production was released in '95, five years before Sister Faustina's canonization and was most certainly intent on helping promote the good sisters' Papal consideration for sainthood.

However having said that, please don't shy away from seeing this film thinking it was meant to be nothing more than a proselytizing vehicle for Catholicism. Personally I found 'Faustina' to be a very honest, historical presentation that was never overly dramatic or preachy in any way. The screenplay, based on her diary, conveys a simple, straightforward look at her life making this a film that could be enjoyed by everyone no matter what religious, or non religious persuasion you may adhere to.

Director Jerzy Lukaszewicz and the all Polish cast did a fabulous job of recreating the time, place and events in the life of Sister Faustina. I also need to mention the charming and demure Dorota Segda who was wonderful in the lead role, capturing both the inner and outer beauty of this deeply mystical and devoted servant of God.

Saint Faustina died in 1938 after a long and painful battle with tuberculosis. Fortunately an amazing record of her life remains with us in the form of her diary covering four years of her life. It contains her mystical and revelatory experiences along with her personal insights and prayers and is over 600 pages in length. She was also granted permission by the Church to commission a painting which is now known the world over as the "Divine Mercy."

"Faustina" is a Polish film about the life and visions of Sister Faustina, who later became a saint. Sister Faustina had visions of Jesus, in which she was instructed to have an image painted. Having seen the painting before, it was interesting to see the story behind it. The film reviews part of Faustina's life, up until her death.

"Faustina" (1994) is spoken in Polish, with optional English or Spanish subtitles. Directed by Jerzy Lukaszewicz, "Faustina" is 75 minutes in length. As a bonus feature, a documentary on the actual places Sister Faustina lived, about 25 minutes in length and made in 2000, is included.

This is a wonderful movie about Saint Faustina. It will enrich your life and give new found meaning to God's Divine Mercy. It brings to light how she suffered so that souls would trust in Jesus.

I thought Dorota Segda, while not looking much like St. Faustina in my opinion, portrayed her meek presence very well. This is one of the best biographic movies on the life of a saint that I've ever seen, and captures a lot of the struggle and misery that she went through in her submission to God's Will... at least as much as is possible in a short movie. While the overt drama was interesting, what captured my attention the most was the focus on St. Faustina's interior life, her spiritual progression, charity and hardships. These are things often overlooked or glossed over. Overall, it touches on all the major elements (the drama, the interior struggles, the visions) an introduction to St. Faustina must have in my opinion.

I highly recommend reading the Diary of St. Faustina in addition to watching this movie. There is much more drama and powerfully inspiring moments which were left out of the movie, and a spiritual progression which will be of invaluable inspiration to Catholics really serious about deepening their relationship with God. The Diary itself has led me to writings of St. John of the Cross and St. Theresa of Avila, two more great saints who have helped me appreciate St. Faustina even more.

The story of this Nun is truly inspirational. I enjoyed seeing the places that were part of her life. It makes the whole experience of this Nun's life more real for me.

This is one of the most inspiring Videos I've ever seen. Anyone devoted to the "Divine Mercy" will find this version so beautifully done. This is so much better than the English version which also...is good. However...this movie..the acting, and directing makes you actually feel that you are in St. Faustinas presence. You wont even realize that you are reading subtitles....this is a MUST for every Catholic.

An excellent movie of faith, devotion and sacrifice that the entire family can enjoy.It was a visual history of a Saint that I knew very little of.What an inspiration.

This is an enjoyable story of Saint Faustina, also called the Apostle of Divine Mercy. However there are some things which the viewer might find unpleasant, despite the subject matter.For example, the dialogue is in Polish with English subtitles. The story is not told in a strictly linear fashion, with some artistic license given to the supernatural experiences of Saint Faustina. I don't think everyone would agree with this intepretation of the life of Saint Faustina, but it is an enjoyable movie, and very positive portrayal of religious life in general.

NOW I CAN UNDESTAND WHY POPE JOHN PAUL II MENTION HER A LOT, IT IS A WONDRFULL LIFE THAT SHE HAD AND ALL THE MIRACLES.

Being a traditional Catholic homeschooling mother of young children who normally do not watch TV, I am pretty picky about the films that we watch, there really aren't a whole lot out there I would let them see. So I decided to try Faustina out of the new group of Catholic films by the same director. I loved it. Yes, it may not be perfectly accurate (I really don't know as I've never happened to read a biography on the Saint). But I think it's a beautiful, moving film that captures the essence of what it means to be a Catholic, a nun, and live a saintly life. It is uplifting, clean, and I had absolutely no issues in the way that any of the characters in the movie were portrayed, all seemed accurate to the faith and teachings of the Church. I would recommend it highly to any other Catholic, single or family.