St Dominic film unites nations

Three years ago - in the Philippines - Father Jeff was asked to come up with ideas to commemorate the 800 year anniversary of St Dominic. “How is it,” he asked French Week, “that St Francis of Assisi has had 2 films on his life – but our Saint Dominic, founder of the Dominican Order – hasn’t got one at all”?

Father Jeff isn’t your usual idea of a monk – he wears jeans and a black tee shirt, runs his own radio show and is Director of Communications for the Catholic Church in his native islands.  He was surprised the Chapter accepted his idea of making documentary for the anniversary with vigour and the idea grew until they agreed a feature length film.

But why shoot a film in France, with a Phillipino crew and as many English actors the budget will stand?

Father Jeff is a patient man – he explained the while St Dominic was

 born in Spain he started his order in Prouilhe - "cradle of the Dominicans", in Aude not far from Carcassonne. 

So obviously - we felt he wanted to say – we came to France – but he is a patient man.  He brought most of the equipment and his 16 strong technical crew with him from the Philippines – simply to keep down the cost.

English, he explained was the obvious, most universal language to shoot in, it will be subtitled when released around the world – including in China and Japan.

Luckily for 19 year old Malvern born Cherokee Goldberg, who lives in the local village of Fanjeaux, they need a lot of help – from translation to set building and laying the track.  He confided he hoped he might even get a part – “they are paying me €60 a day but I would do it for nothing really” he tells FW.  At first, when we mentioned he might have to have his head shaved - he drew the line – but then said – as a true actor might – “if that is what they want – I’ll do it”

He studies French literature in Carcassonne and had hoped to go into PR – but harboured an ambition to act. 

Will he get a part?  Well your FW reporter was told by one of the Nuns that they desperately need a male English actor – just perhaps it could be Cherokee.

 Not the sort of opportunity which might happen in his native Malvern “home of the Morgan sports car” he helpfully explained – but if he gets the job he might be wider known than even a Morgan.

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So here we go - testing the water - and before you all call out "it is lovely in" when you are clearly not telling the truth, I will try for myself.

Is it a sort of grump page or a considered one - Guardian Editorial or Sun rant?

Lets try to get it somewhere between the two.

So - here goes - have jumped in and it doesn't seem bad - yet

Am I alone in wondering why UK politicians seem to hate to mention there are other countries in the world with similar challenges from whom we might learn/

5 WoW stars go to the new Transport Secretary (names when we know them better) who mentioned that both France and Germany can maintain their railways for 44% less that we manage in the UK.

Bravo that man - now can we do health too please - UK now up to the European average on spending - but what about outcomes and "back office" costs?

Pensions is it true only Eire has a lower pension than the UK and if so how can we, the 5th or 6th country in the world be so far behind France and Germany - all up there with similar GDP - are we wasteful or careless

OK - I have blogged - not too hard but was it worth it? 

Still the sun is out, it is hot and so is the pool - guess, dear reader, (if you are there) what happens next?