Schedule a Director's Cut Film Presentation

Bring this one-of-a-kind, multimedia event to your parish, school, or organization!

Mostly disregarded since its completion in 1935, The Original Image of Divine Mercy and its history were virtually unknown until the 2016 release of the documentary The Original Image of Divine Mercy. Leading up to the Holy Year of Mercy, a team of filmmakers traveled across Europe filling in the gaps in the timeline of Saint Faustina’s masterpiece; how the original painting was made, as well as its whereabouts over the past 8 decades.

The film project, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Vilnius, home of the Original Image of Divine Mercy, featured in-depth interviews with the most knowledgeable and “connected” people surrounding the priceless painting while uncovering previously unknown details about why the Original Image of Divine Mercy took the arduous journey that it did. Since then, director diSilva has become known worldwide as one the premier experts on the Original Image.

Bringing The Director’s Cut Film Presentation on The Original Image of Divine Mercy to your parish, school, or event, is a very powerful, informative, and entertaining presentation that will unlock the theological and historical meaning of the most important man-made work of art the world has ever known. The Director’s Cut Film Presentation is a fascinating multi-media event that includes the exhibition of a full-size replica of the 7’-tall Original Image of Divine and a Gallery of Divine Mercy Artifacts from the making of the film. Become part of the discussion concerning the implications of the The Original Image of Divine Mercy in Theology and in the Fine Art World – a conversation which has only just begun.

Daniel diSilva - Director

The Original Image of Divine Mercy

Director Daniel diSilva has spent his entire professional career searching for new ways of placing the Arts at the service of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness. His credits include collaborations and creative partnerships with a long list of theaters, celebrities, media outlets, film studios, and religious organizations.

Best known for his recent documentary film The Original Image of Divine Mercy, diSilva has served on the production side of some of the New Evangelization's biggest and best international events and productions, including film (Ben-Hur, A.D. The Bible Continues, Les Misérables, Chant Camp, Fishers of Men), literature (Theology of the Body), music (Alison Krauss, James Taylor, Natalie MacMaster, Mark O'Connor, The Chieftains, Joseph Vincelli, Carlos Guedes, Crispin and many others), radio/TV (EWTN, Bravo, LTV, MTV), and has contributed to the program offerings at major events and film and music festivals around the world. Daniel is co-founder of The Shakespeare Academy of San Diego, and is currently in post-production of his new film, A Sexual Revolution, 50 Years of Humanae Vitae.

A Traveling Gallery of Art & Archives

The Director’s Cut Film Presentation of The Original Image of Divine Mercy is accompanied by a gallery of original works of art and important artifacts that are relevant to the film. These items, some of them priceless, will be on displayed at the event (travel plans permitting).

Replica To Relic

A one-of-a-kind exact replica of the Original Image of Divine Mercy accompanies the Director’s Cut Film Presentation. Examination and veneration of the original paining, which is over 2 meters high, would not be possible at a closer distance. The image that travels with the Directors Cut Film Presentation is a third class relic (touched to the Original Image of Divine Mercy) and is of the highest resolution and quality ever taken out of Vilnius. The relic is an exact reproduction of the original painting containing the smallest observable details, all of which reveal the work and suffering that was involved in the creation of this masterpiece.

Relics of Blessed Father Michael Sopocko

Fr. Michael Sopocko (Blessed Michael Sopoćko) was the Catholic priest and professor at Vilnius University who became the spiritual director of Saint Faustina. After her early death, it fell to Fr. Sopocko to spread devotion to Divine Mercy as it was entrusted to her. His personal memoirs and other writings are an integral part of the history of the Original Image of Divine Mercy and are the primary source of information about the details given to the artist by Saint Faustina.

Original Paintings

The Director’s Cut Film Presentation also includes several paintings that are featured in the film. These original works, painted by artist José Oropeza López, were done in the style of the Original Image of Divine Mercy by Eugeniusz Kazimirowski. Each painting represents an interview partner from the film, and helps to illustrate the highest calling of Art (as well as Art’s inadequacies). They also offer a unique behind-the-camera glimpse into the making of the film.

Our Mother of Mercy

As is mentioned in the film, Vilnius, where the Original Image of Divine Mercy was painted by Eugeniusz Kazimirowski, had been known as the City of Mercy for many years prior to the life and times of St. Faustina Kowalska. Guarding the city above the eastern gates is a miraculous painting of Our Mother of Mercy. It was here, adjacent to this famous painting, that the Original Image of Divine Mercy was first displayed for public veneration. A beautiful copy of this “uncovered” painting travels with the Director’s Cut Film Presentation.

From the Archives in Vilnius

As discussed in the film, the Original Image of Divine Mercy was first spread throughout the world in miniature. As the horrors of the Soviet Occupation of Vilnius escalated, people were imprisoned in labor camps and exiled to Siberia, far away from their homes and families. Many of these people managed to hide and keep only one possession – a small photocopy of the Merciful Jesus which had been secretly sewn into their clothing for protection from their oppressors. One of the few remaining images from the first printing (circa 1935) is on loan to the producers of The Original Image of Divine Mercy for exhibition at these presentations.

The Director’s Cut Film Presentation is a two hour (approx.) event that features a presentation by director Daniel diSilva, including some excerpts from the documentary as well as some behind the scenes footage, and a 20-minute Q&A session. Alternatively, when requested, the director can speak for less time so that the film can be shown in its entirety, making the presentation go for a total time of about 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Please contact Springtime Productions to schedule The Director’s Cut Film Presentation of The Original Image of Divine Mercy for your parish, event, or group.

+1 (682) 557-3976 or events@originaldivinemercy.com

Daniel diSilva is the director of the documentary about Faustina's epic painting, The Original Image of Divine Mercy (2016), and the founder of www.OriginalDivineMercy.com, the online headquarters of the most concerted effort to restore the Original Image of Divine Mercy to it's rightful pride of place. You can submit your questions about the Original Image of Divine Mercy by writing to originaldivinemercy@gmail.com

Guest UserMarch 18, 2018