Denver Catholic

B6 I CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE NOVEMBER 20, 2013 I DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER 'The Christmas Candle': Changing the culture from the inside out BY CLAUDIA CANGILLA MCADAM How (and why) does a politician become a movie-maker? Recently, former senator and presidential candidate Rick Santorum visited Colorado and addressed a large crowd at St. Thomas More Parish in Centennial, providing the answer to that question and giving the audience a sneak peek at his company's newest movie, "The Christmas Candle." Santorum grew up in an Italian Catholic family that attended Mass regularly. He and his wife, Karen, have seven children and are devout Catholics. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1991 to 1995, and then in the U.S. Senate from 1995 to 2007, before running for the Republican nomination for president in 2012 (where he won the Colorado caucus). He was one of Washington's most prominent conservative voices in U.S. politics on issues such as abortion, sexual morality, evolution and euthanasia. "I realized in the years I was in politics, that the culture was changing," he said, "and it's not politics that's changing it." What's changing culture, he explained, is the technology we access every day: smart phones, tablets, computers, television, movies. "That's changing the moral fabric of our country." Santorum told the crowd how the people who make the content don't hold the same Christian worldview of those individuals filling the pews. "Yet," he said, "they are the ones who are shaping the moral imagination of your children." When he was asked to become the CEO of EchoLight Studios, he "embraced the opportunity to get involved with this little company that was going to make inspirational faith and family movies." A strange fit for a politician, perhaps, but he countered, "If liberal actors and producers can get involved in politics, then conservative politicians can get involved in Hollywood." Santorum pointed out that too often, followers of Jesus Christ have taken the position that the best way to fight the current culture is to play defense, to block. But he has a different approach. "My feeling on playing defense is this: if we believe we have the truth, why are we playing defense? Why aren't we going out and doing what we are called to do, which is witness to the truth and to push the truth? "For the first 1900 years since the birth FF 15% O WITH AD PHOTO PROVIDED A SCENE from "The Christmas Candle," which opens in theaters Nov. 22. of Christ," he continued, "almost all the great art, all the great entertainment, was made by or for the Church: the beautiful mosaics, the stained glass, the paintings, the sculptures, the music. That was the popular culture." But with the advent of technology, things have changed. While Hollywood knows how to tell well-made, captivating stories, the creators of most television programs and movies don't share the beliefs of much of the audience. "They subtly put things in there, just quietly, to turn you a little bit," he said, "to desensitize you." For him, going on offense means producing really good content that adheres to the values of faith and family and sensitizes people to the truth. Would people watch it? "I think they really would, as long as it is good quality," he asserted. Santorum treated the audience to an extended sneak peek of EchoLight's Faithfully Unique Religious & Inspirational Gifts Advent, Nativity, Christmas Gifts & More 303-902-4038 • Located within Wrought'n Apples Boutique 2000 East County Line Rd., Highlands Ranch, CO (SW corner of University Blvd. & County Line Rd.) 10-12 Minutes For Full Service Wash Complete Auto Detailing Gift Certificates Available 276 Broadway 303.733.5349 Full Service Wash! $8.99 and up www.carwash-waterworks.com forthcoming film, "The Christmas Candle" "THE CHRISTMAS (see sidebar). The story revolves around a CANDLE" young progressive Anglican pastor who, through a personal tragedy, has lost his Opening nationwide Nov. 22 faith and no longer believes in miracles. He comes to a village in the English countryFrom bestselling author Max Lucado comes a timeless story of faith, suitside and encounters a community clingable for the whole family. The period ing to the belief of the miracles wrought by piece is set in the late-Victorian era a very special Christmas candle. and filmed in the beautiful setting of The pastor's desire to bring electricity the Cotswolds in England. to the church puts him at odds with the villagers. When a progressive young minister "It's a movie about technology in the comes to the village of Gladbury, he modern world and the end of legends and embarks on a quest to modernize the miracles," Santorum said. "It's about the town, an act that sets him at odds beginning of the age of science and techwith the local candlemaker, who fights nology versus the people in this town who to preserve the legacy of the mirastill believe in God and miracles. That is, in cle-producing Christmas Candle. When the special candle goes missing, the essence, one of the problems we are dealvillagers discover a new formula for ing with today." miracles: good deeds and acts of kindThere are two major characters in the ness. The result is the most astonishmovie: one is the pastor who has lost his ing Christmas the village of Gladbury faith and the other is a woman who has has ever known. no faith. "'The Christmas Candle,'" Santorum The exceptional cast features veteran said, delivers "a beautiful message to performers Hans Matheson ("Clash come into the Christmas season to see of the Titans," "Sherlock Holmes"), how God can work to affect us all." Samantha Barks ("Les Miserables"), Santorum encouraged moviegoers to Lesley Manville (Disney's "A Christmas support the film early in its run (it opens Carol"), Sylvester McCoy ("The Hobbit" trilogy, "Doctor Who"), and many Nov. 22), preferably on opening weekend, others, including singing phenomenon so that other theaters will see its populariSusan Boyle, who makes her feature ty and pick it up. film debut. Director of photography For Santorum, a starting point for enMichael Brewster worked on the Harry gineering a shift in today's culture lies in Potter films, and his cinematography is the production of films such as those his awe-inspiring. company makes that champion families and celebrate faith. Attention to detail (such as the fact "My feeling is that our country is on that all the costumes were constructed a path that cannot lead to good things. out of 1890s fabrics) adds to the richWe need to engage the culture," he said, ness and authenticity of the film, which adding that's why he's been traveling the is a feast for the eyes and a celebration of the true meaning of Christmas. country promoting EchoLight's movies. "It's a way to encourage people to not lose faith, to be willing to engage, fight back, Claudia McAdam: 303-715-3215; and have the courage to stand up for the truth in our schools, our families and our claudia@claudiamcadam.com; www. ClaudiaMcAdam.com churches."

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