USCCB - (Office of Media Relations) - Radio City Music Hall to Premiere Jesus in Art Film Funded by Bishops' Catholic Communication Campaign

Radio City Music Hall to Premiere Jesus in Art Film Funded by Bishops' Catholic Communication Campaign

WASHINGTON (February 14, 2001) -- The Face: Jesus in Art, an extraordinary wide-screen film that examines 2000 years of artistic renderings of Jesus Christ, will premiere Saturday, March 31, at New York City's Radio City Music Hall. Presented on one of the world's largest movie screens, the premiere will be seen in one show only at 8:00 p.m..

Produced by Voyager Productions, Ltd., with major funding from the Catholic Communication Campaign, The Face: Jesus in Art traces the dramatically different ways in which Jesus has been represented in art throughout history and around the world. A wide-screen survey of artworks from the early 3rd century to the present, The Face: Jesus in Art takes viewers from ancient Rome to 20th-century America, from Europe to the Middle East, to illuminate beautiful and spectacular representations of Jesus and the key events of His earthly life.

"The Face: Jesus in Art shows artistic masterpieces up close and in a very dramatic style," said Ellen McCloskey, Director of Production for the Catholic Communication Campaign. "Using wide-screen 35-millimeter film, the latest digital technology and motion control photography, viewers will see these artistic and religious treasures in extraordinary clarity and detail."

"Coming during Lent, the premiere at Radio City Music Hall is an ideal opportunity for families, parishes and other groups to meet Jesus once again, this time through the eyes of
believers from past ages. It will be a powerful experience," said Bishop Blase J. Cupich of Rapid City, South Dakota, Chairman of the Catholic Communication Campaign's Distribution Committee. "The images in The Face and the accompanying narration are both fascinating and spiritually compelling."

Tickets for the premiere of The Face: Jesus in Art can be purchased at the Radio City Music Hall box office, through local Ticketmaster outlets or online from www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices are $10.00, $20.50 and $30.50. Tickets ordered through Ticketmaster will include additional service fees. Those seeking information on group sales may call Radio City Music Hall at (212) 465-6100. Persons with disabilities may purchase tickets over the phone by calling (212) 465-6115.

In addition to the U.S. Bishops' Catholic Communication Campaign, contributors to The Face: Jesus in Art include The Dolan Family Foundation, Family Theater Productions, Our Sunday Visitor, United Methodist Communications, and The Aztec Foundation.

Through its Catholic Communication Campaign, the USCC produces and distributes a variety of media projects including television documentaries that examine spiritual themes, Christmas and Easter specials, and public service campaigns about issues of national importance. The CCC also sponsors a toll-free movie review line, 1-800-311-4CCC, and a toll-free line offering Mass Times, 1-800-Mass Times.