The film Lourdes (2000), directed by Lodovico Gasparini, is a dramatic and historical story based on real events that took place in Lourdes, France, in 1858. The film explores themes of faith, miracles, and the fabricated conflict between science and Christianity.

Bernadette Soubirous comes from a poor miller’s family. Her life changes radically when the Virgin Mary appears to her in a cave near Lourdes.

Although Bernadette discovers a spring following instructions from the Virgin Mary, many are skeptical, and local authorities attempt to cover up the incident. At first, not even the local priest believes Bernadette.

Things begin to unfold when the first healings occur after people drink water from the spring that appeared near the grotto.

Even the wife of Henri, an atheist doctor, is cured of tuberculosis; however, he refuses to accept the notion of a miracle and is unwilling to give up his faith in human reason, which he overestimates. He therefore decides to expose Bernadette Soubirous’s “web of lies.”

Drama / Historical

Italy / France / Luxembourg, 2000, 2x 95 min

Cast: Lodovico Gasparini;

Crew: Alessandro Gassman, Sydne Rome, Florence Darel, Roger Souza, Günther Maria Halmer, Andréa Ferréol, Stefania Rocca, Umberto Orsini, Isabel Ruth;

Parents’ Guide:

A woman practicing yoga in leggings. A few scenes of a woman in a tank top. Talk about a mistress. Several scenes of a married couple kissing. A stabbing and a robbery. A few scenes of drinking wine or beer and smoking cigars. Flippant remarks about marriage. Nuns who are jealous of Bernadette.

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