Film producer covers all the angles in A Geometry of Love

BY CHRISTY MARSTERS

NovaNewsNow.com

The history and architecture of a small foreign church set the stage for a local film producer to create an award-winning artistic documentary.

Bev Bliss, a film producer living in Windsor, won a 2007 Gabriel Award for a nationally released arts documentary based on the religious novel A Geometry of Love by Margaret Visser.

It’s a fascinating story about the meaning and mystery of the Sant’Agnese fuori le Mura Church in Rome and a tale rich in visuals, Bliss said. “Following Margaret Visser through this journey while we filmed in Rome was never dull. It was always entertaining and informative.”

Putting the entire film together was one step forward and two back while working through a long labour of love, Bliss said. “When the filming team realized we won the Gabriel Award we were just really surprised because it was quite an honour.”

The Gabriel Awards were created to honour uplifting artworks of excellence in television, radio and film. The Catholic Academy for Communication Arts Professionals sponsors these awards, which will presented to all 2007 winning recipients at the Directors Guild of America in Hollywood Oct. 26.

Wise move

Moving from Alberta to Nova Scotia during the same year the film production took place proved to be a wise decision, Bliss said. “There was a stronger government support and general interest in the independent filmmaker here.”

Windsor Recreation Director Janet Landry watched A Geometry of Love and says she’s proud to know Bliss lives within the Town of Windsor. “She certainly enhances the richness of our cultural community,” Landry said.

The film is about the rich and profound meaning of churches, mystical experiences and encounters of a divine nature, Landry said. “It profiles the richness of a life and goodness in the world, and was an engaging film to watch.

“Bev is so talented and we’re fortunate to have the generosity of her creativity and talent with our own community projects as well,” Landry said. “For example, she helped with design suggestions for the recognition area of the Hants Aquatic Centre.”

Bliss continues to apply her creativity with two new feature film projects in the works: a comedy-drama entitled Halo and a drama, Rockwell.

“I want to continue to make quality films,” Bliss said. “If you’re going to work in the filming business and go to all the hard work of production, then you might as well make films you believe in.”