A YOUNG Brisbane Catholic filmmaker hopes to raise funds needed to make a modern day adaptation of the parable of the Sower found in the gospels.
Daniel Urbina, a graduate of the Griffith Film School in 2017, has written the script, selected the main cast and shot some early “test” scenes for his production, ‘The Midnight Sower’. However he still needs backing to get serious filming underway.
“It’s the story of a young girl who makes a mistake – a choice in her life – and her life falls apart,” Mr Urbina said.
“She reaches out to a few people looking for help – her sister, her mother, her boyfriend. These people all represent a part of that parable.
“Things go bad. She spends a whole night asking ‘Where is God?’
“We’re asking for people to question and ask where they see themselves in the story.”
To produce a 15-20 minute short film Mr Urbina has joined forces with like-minded former film school classmates, cinematographer Regent Neihkhup and editor Caleb Trevatt.
Together, the team has turned to the creative fund-raising platform Kickstarter to get their film project underway.
A sample film on the website includes some scenes and shows what Mr Urbina and his team are capable of.
“We hope to raise $15,000 so we can start shooting,” Mr Urbina said.
“We realise it’s a lot to ask for but we are trusting in the providence of God and looking for His hand to guide this production; should it be something He wants brought into the world.
“I entered the industry with a desire to make films with a deeper message – the battle between faith and the realities of life – so this is my first attempt at it.
“And in a way I am trying to see if this is the direction I am being called to give my life, an indication of where God might be calling me to serve.”
Mr Urbina wrote the script for his film project over the last year during the time of COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions.
He said the impact of the pandemic influenced his writing.
“I think a lot of people are now asking ‘where is God in this whole situation with so many people dying and suffering’,” Mr Urbina said.
“And a lot of those people don’t have an answer to that question.
“In the film we want to open up a dialogue and explore the question ‘Where does God exist in suffering?’ and ‘Is He there for you?’”
Mr Urbina said he respected Mel Gibson’s The Passion of Christ as a high benchmark in Christian filmmaking.
“I know he is regarded by some as a controversial figure,” he said.
“It gives me hope because it shows you don’t have to be perfect. God can work with the weakest of people, including me I hope.
“But the fact that God chose him [Mel Gibson] to make a film like that speaks a lot.
“He underwent a lot of hardships to produce that film. None of the film studios would fund the film; they thought it was hopeless.
“But the film’s release shook the industry, dispelling a lot of people’s doubts, it broke a lot of records and at least in my eyes was a real sign of God’s faithfulness.
“It touches so many people’s lives. So it goes to show God can work through this medium.”
Mr Urbina cites Fátima, a 2020 faith-based drama directed by Marco Pontecorvo as another influence.
He’s aiming for ‘Midnight Sower” to be selected and shown at international film festivals.
You can find the project on the Kickstarter website here.
