Here’s the latest from the crossroads of faith, media & culture: 10/04/23

Jacqueline Fritschi-Cornaz portrays Mother Teresa in Mother Teresa & Me. The acclaimed film (that I reviewed here on Monday) which won first prize Rome’s Mirabile Dictu International Film Festival and has had successful releases in Switzerland, India and Latin America opens as a one-night Fathom Event in 800 theaters across the US tonight. For a complete list of theater locations click here.

The actress, who also co-produced the movie, spoke with me about her experience trying to get into the mind and heart of a saint.

JWK: Can you tell me about your own personal journey toward taking on this story?

Jacqueline Fritschi-Cornaz: Fourteen years ago, I visited India and on my way to some Bollywood studios in Mumbai. For the first time in my life, I met some street children. Coming from a privileged country like Switzerland, their misery and outlook touched me deeply and I instantly decided that I had to do something.

JWK: What is it about Mother Teresa that drew you to her story?

JFC: When I entered the next film studio, I discovered a painting of Mother Teresa on the wall. Spontaneously, I asked the producer if he ever thought about creating a feature film about this amazing woman who had the courage and strength to get up every morning to help the poorest of the poor. The vision was born. Together with Kamal Musale, a talented Swiss-Indian filmmaker, we wanted to create a movie which presents the woman, the human being behind the saint, to inspire people around the world to live with more compassion and ‘Love in Action’, as she said.

JWK: How did the movie idea happen and how difficult was it to get it made?

JFC: Kamal Musale wrote a very compelling script with two parallel stories: In Mother Teresa & Me we see Mother Teresa dedicated to the poor, even in times of troubles and doubts, combined with the fictional story of Kavita, a young woman struggling with her own conflicts. Two women’s lives – passionate and uncompromising – woven over generations by two intertwined stories.

I’m grateful that Richard Fritschi, my husband, and Thierry Cagianut, the executive producer, helped me to establish the Zariya Foundation to create a film which inspires audiences around the world to live with more respect, tolerance, compassion and love. The financing of this film has been made possible through donations and all the proceeds will support education and health care for the poorest children. The fundraising has taken us 10 years. With Kamal Musale, we did intense research and he worked on the script for three years. The shootings in Mumbai, Kolkata and London during the pandemic were a huge challenge.

JWK: What was it like to play her? Has the experience changed you?

JFC: To play a well-known personality is the highest discipline for an actor/an actress. I had a lot of respect but also a lot of joy to take this great opportunity and to go on that deep journey. Besides my research, I worked with the sisters of Mother Teresa in Kolkata at the Shishu Bhavan. I visited Mother Teresa’s relatives in Skopje, where she grew up. I stayed in a monastery in Switzerland for a while. I studied the Albanian accent and some Bengoli. As a method actress I, of course, went into the different energies, into the body language, voice, etc. Through all the challenges we faced during the production and the deep insight into Mother Teresa’s inner struggles, I’m now convinced that we all are capable to do much more than we believe. It’s worth it!

JWK: What message does Mother Teresa’s story have for the world today?

JFC: I hope that we can inspire audiences around the world, and especially younger generations, to believe in their dreams and visions and to stick with them even in times of troubles and doubts. And, in times of global conflicts, crises and wars, we can do so much as individuals if we live with more tolerance and compassion in our own surroundings.

JWK: Everyone thinks of her as this icon of faith – but your movie shows that she struggled with doubt. Can you talk about that?

JFC: Mother Teresa suffered a lot. For decades she lived in the dark and felt alone and abandoned (by) God. When her letters were published in 2007, we learned how much strength and discipline she had to create to continue her vocation. I was very touched and sad when I read these desperate letters. I could only imagine how lonely she must have felt, not being able to talk about her inner conflicts to the other sisters, but always had to be the role model.

JWK: What do you think Mother Teresa would think of having a feature film made about her?

JFC: Mother Teresa once said “Don’t wait for leaders, do it alone, person to person.” That’s what we did and I hope Mother Teresa is happy to see the result and the honest vision of our film team and the Zariya Foundation behind it. We intend to create a worldwide movement of compassion and love, independent of any religion, culture, generation, etc. Together we can make this world a better place.

JWK: I understand profits from the film will go to support education and healthcare for children living in poverty. Can you elaborate on that?

JFC: Yes. All the proceeds of the film and future donations will support the poorest children in education and health care, beginning in India where Mother Teresa has built up her work. The Zariya Foundation team has selected NGOs (non-governmental organizations), knowing the people behind these organizations and staying in a regular contact with them to be sure that the donations will create real impact for those who need it the most.

John W. Kennedy is a writer, producer and media development consultant specializing in television and movie projects that uphold positive timeless values, including trust in God.