This Is My Body

A Powerful Film about Pregnancy as the Result of Rape

Review by Sharon Soderlund

This Is My Body is a masterful, 22-minute film written, directed and produced by Br. Peter Gabriel Vecellio, a Carmelite, and Hopkins, Minn. resident. Tightly focused, artfully filmed and well acted, this black and white, silent film is a modern morality play in five progressive sequences: "The Party," "The Dorm," "The Pharmacy," "The Hospital" and "The Church."

It is the story of Sarah O'Conner, a young Catholic woman who is tempted, betrayed and raped at a college drinking party, her agony at learning she is pregnant and the suffering she endures as she contemplates what to do. It is about her courage -- and ultimately, her sacrifice. Interspersed with Sarah's story are scenes from the life of a Catholic priest preparing for Mass, offering Mass, kneeling in prayer, and administering the Sacraments.

Throughout the film, images of the sacred and profane are starkly juxtaposed. The effect is unsettling -- even startling. For example, the camera focuses on the glass of beer that Sarah is handed at the party. In the next instant, the focus is a chalice raised by a Catholic priest at the moment of consecration when the wine becomes the blood of Christ.

Most scenes are brief but intense. Watching this film is like walking down a corridor. A door opens allowing us to glimpse a character's actions, motivations and emotions. Then that door closes and another door opens. We never know what we will see or how long we will have to size up what is happening. Behind one door is a full-blown nightmare.

This Is My Body is highly nuanced and rich in symbolism. Nothing is extraneous. Much more is suggested than what appears. Words are spoken, but we don't hear the dialogue.The music is by turns edgy, solemn and majestic. We are swept along by the black and white images and the emotions and actions of the characters. The movie builds to a dramatic climax. The last moments of the final scene, while unexpected, are stunning!

Christians will recognize parallels between what the pregnant woman is going through and what Jesus experienced in the last week of His life -- temptation, betrayal, ridicule, torture, sacrifice and resurrection.

This Is My Body is certain to elicit reflection and discussion on the topics of sexual assault, crisis pregnancy and abortion. The film could be used with confirmation students, youth groups and young adults at Theology on Tap meetings. However, the film's universal themes of temptation and betrayal, goodness versus evil, heroic self sacrifice for the good of another and transformation and saving grace will appeal to secular audiences, too.

Br. Peter Gabriel Vecellio recognizes the sacrifice that is required on the part of a pregnant woman. Not only in pregnancies resulting from rape but in every pregnancy that is continued to term, a woman puts the welfare of her child ahead of her own welfare, saying, in effect, the same words to her unborn child that Jesus said to his disciples at the Last Supper.

Understanding the sacrifice that will be required, Jesus took the bread in His hands and said: "This is my body, given up for you." Christ's words are said thousands of times each day throughout the world in the Sacrifice of the Mass.

The message of the film is summed up in a quote by John Paul II from Evangelium Vitae that appears after the final scene: "Heroic actions are the radiant manifestations of the highest degree of love, which is to give one's life for the person loved."

Kudos to filmmaker Br. Peter Gabriel Vecellio for his vision and artistry -- and to his Third Order of Carmelites, family and friends who participated in the acting and filming of this remarkable production! Susan Gagliardi plays the part of Sarah O'Conner, the pregnant college student. Fr. Jules Omalanga plays the part of the priest. Supporting roles are taken by Maggie Bearmon, Eric Kaiser-Johnson and Colleen O Brien. Jim Perron is the director of photography. The film editor is Br. Peter Gabriel Vecellio, who has since left the Little Brothers of Carmel and is now a Novice with the Discalced Carmelites, and the musical score is by Susan M. Lockwood. Br. Luke Winstead, who no longer has an active role in this film, was assistant director.

The film has been entered in several film festivals and is already generating buzz. You may order a copy of the DVD of This Is My Body from DVD orders - Mount Carmel Productions, PO Box 5537, Hopkins, Minnesota 55343. The cost is $12 plus $3 for shipping, handling and tax. For more information, email the filmmaker at thisismybody@yahoo.com