What are its objective and characteristics of this documentary, “Augustine of Hippo”?
After an exhaustive analysis of how far has been done on this field of visual reproduction of the life and work of St. Augustine, we thought of producing a rigorous historical documentary narrating his life and describing his personality. We wanted to make use of the journalistic perspective as a means of propagation audiovisual media, thru a narrative language with modern and quality visual aides.
We believe that this can be of great use for schools and universities. The documentary is developed with a rhythm and important formats to meet the answers of the people interested in this personality. Anyway, the means of production were sufficient, well within the acceptable budget by the financing institute, FAE.
Can we say that this is about a biography of St. Augustine? What elements were used?
This is actually about a of biography of St. Augustine, but with a modern tone, underlining the topics of greater intellectual repercussion and above all on the nature and the great traits of the personality. We have taken as guide the narrations from the Confessions, responsible in dramatizing the professional actor. And we interplay with some well prepared interviews by a half a dozen experts in the life and work of the bishop of Hippo. In short, we intend to show the Augustine, african and roman, the outstanding intellectual, the bishop with brilliant initiatives of reform and the monk in him which he always carries within himself.
Which feature of Augustine stands out most: the literary, historical, spiritual, pastoral…?
All of those are shown in the documentary; and as always been said, his extraordinary personality. In short, it intends to show the man who rose to its highest intellectual peak of his time: from an activist leader to a fine and extensive writer, up to the time as bishop where he comfortably shared table and pastoral, intellectual and literary activities with his brothers.
What is the distribution plan: series, language, projection…?
The Spanish edition is already done, sold and distributed, several thousands of copies in DVD and will continue its edition depending on the number of requests from FAE correspondence ([email protected]). For the time being, the brasilian edition of the documentary is in the making; and hopefully to other languages, if initiatives and interest are shown to this respect. Finally, it will not be long, the television transmission in Spain.
One of the great attractions of the documentary is that, for the first time, the places where Augustine lived has been filmed. What is the actual state of the archaeological remains which have something to do with Augustine?
The state of the knowledge, study and preservation of these remains depend on the countries where they are. We have travelled around to these places to show them in the documentary. Starting from the birth place of Augustine, Algiers. In Thagaste, the actual Souk Ahras, no trace is practically left of the roman presence. The stones of the very beautiful Madaura will only will change when subjected to the elements. And the archaeological remains of Hippo, the actual Annaba, are practically abandoned and unrecognizable. There was a time, during the French colonization, in which many archaeologists worked here, but now the breakwater of the port are buried and covered with weeds, the same thing happened as with the theater. The urban constructions of the old Hippo are better preserved, but they also suffer the effect of neglect after the serious political and religious problems in the 90’s of the previous century. At the peak of the hill of Hippo is raised, as a perennial testimony, the modern Basilica of Peace which consecrated the bishop Augustine in the most violent period during the dispute with the Donatists.
Unlike Algiers, in Tunez the roman archaeological places of Carthage, Dougga and Bulla Reggia, cities where Augustine preached, participated councils and even founded monasteries, are in excellent state of preservation and are visited by many tourists. The ancient punic city of Carthage, Tofet , the numidian cemetery, the Christian churches and the civil urban stretch of the roman empire have been studied and recovered.
What is left is Italy. From the places of Rome, Ostia Antica and Milan, what can be said is that these have been revalued. By the way, let it be put in record, that the recent restoration, after years of work and investigation, the baptistery where Ambrose baptized Augustine, which is located under the cathedral of Milan, an underground environment that evokes spirituality and nostalgia.
St. Augustine is an eminent figure in the old African church, nowadays located in countries whose majority are Muslims. You have visited them several times. What knowledge do Arab world have of Augustine? What can his figure contribute as a ferment of co-existence between Muslim and Christian culture?
Towards the end of the French colonial period, in the years 50 and 60 of the previous century, these places of Magreb, the interest and knowledge on the personality of the numidian Augustine has been declining, specially in Algiers. In this country, the catholic bishops of Constantine-Hippo, Algiers and Oran, wage a hard battle in making the voices of the Christians of today and yesterday be heard, trying to achieve that the great names of their intellectuals would finally enter the classrooms. For the time being, in Algiers, this is the goal that dawns with hope even though no matter how surprising is the government who just recently edited a leaflet reclaiming the “argelian” in St. Augustine.
In Tunez there is a revival of interest on the great figures of the Roman Empire who were born in that African province, Apuleyo and Augustine heading the list. It is a comforting fact that the government has financed the edition of the first arab translation of the Confessions, the only book of Augustine which had been translated to this language.
The challenge to achieve for these great names honor and recognition in the muslim intellectual world, should be realized. In deed from this depends that the ideas and life of Augustine serve to open the eyes of reason and tolerance to those who these tumultuous days continue imposing the intransigence and fanaticism as detestable rule of the relations between religions and believers. Islam is going through a period of serious internal conflict and perhaps the teachings of teachers of knowledge as Augustine of Hippo, the African, would open new course for reflection.