Director’s Statement

The "Vito Bonafacci" journey began 25 years ago as a derivative of my painting, which was an expression of the personal turmoil I was experiencing during those years.  It was also the beginning of my writing -- primarily poetry.

In retrospect, I have come to understand that the creative process was the bridge that led me to a greater understanding, unlocking the shackles of ignorance, which had been binding me my entire life.  Thus, through self-knowledge, I began to grow spiritually -- which was the inception of "Vito".

The growth process led me to spend more time in prayer and active ministry, and less time "creating art". For lack of time and desire, I had given up television viewing, movies, and all forms of media other than spiritual books -- preferring the beauty of silence and minimizing of distractions.

Then in 2008, for the first time in many years, I began to accompany my son to view films at a local museum and attended a college film symposium. It precipitated praying that media would be used to glorify God and his truths -- not realizing that I was to become an active participant.  At first, I resisted the calling.  I experienced much inner turmoil telling the Lord I'm not a filmmaker, and I don't know how to go about it, and I that I don't want to do it. But in the end, I knew it was God's will and to say no to the project would be saying no to God.

The period leading to the "Vito Bonafacci" shoot was a time of much trepidation.  I slept only a few hours each night, for several weeks, but had extraordinary energy.  There was a part of me that believed it was not going to happen, and when I got to the location and saw the actors, crew members, and equipment -- I said to myself, "wow, this is really going to happen", but still wasn't convinced until the camera started rolling. It was inexplicable -- a surreal moment!

Hence, "Vito" -- a contemplative film challenging the viewer to reflect on life's purpose and the afterlife, which in our complex secularized culture, is oftentimes not pondered to any significant degree. The spiritual realm is viewed as an abstract constraint in which we become easily disillusioned with -- being misunderstood as a system of rules of what we can and cannot do, rather than freeing us it is perceived as binding us -- thus, we flee. After all, isn't life about satisfying oneself rather than dealing with the sacrificial realm of true love.  Hopefully, " Vito" will bring attention to such matters in a way that will enable us to find a true and deeper peace.

"Vito", like my next film, "Death of a Tree" (which, God willing, I plan to shoot in June of 2011) portrays Catholicism in a way that has never been explored. However, both projects are universal rather than limited -- thus, engaging the viewer from various faith backgrounds.

                                                                            John Martoccia