Restless Heart, a New Motion Picture on the life of St. Augustine

Restless Heart – Maximus Newsroom Press Release

Ignatius Press brings exclusive film on beloved Saint to America

SAN FRANCISCO, June 20, 2012 – St. Augustine of Hippo is one of the Christian world’s most beloved and well-known saints. However, his amazing conversion and heroic life have not been told on the big screen … until now.

Ignatius Press announces the forthcoming release of RESTLESS HEART: The Confessions of Augustine. This major motion picture is available now for sponsored theatrical screenings across the country. Individuals, parishes, church groups or other organizations can bring this epic film to their towns beginning immediately.

“We are thrilled to bring RESTLESS HEART to the big screen,” said Ignatius Press President Mark Brumley. “St. Augustine is one of the first Doctors of the Church, along with St. Ambrose, St. Jerome and St. Gregory the Great – named in 1268 by Pope Boniface VIII. His story is inspiring and compelling, and his writings are among the most respected in the world even today.

“RESTLESS HEART is amazing,” he added. “It is the most moving story of conversion and reconciliation ever brought to the big screen, and Ignatius Press is honored to offer this film to America.”

“RESTLESS HEART offers a soul-stirring portrait of a great sinner who became one of the Church’s greatest saints,” said National Catholic Register writer Tim Drake. “It’s a timeless conversion story for our age – a testament to the power of Truth.”

Unlike many faith-based films that open in limited release around the country and often don’t make it to cities and towns with significant interest, RESTLESS HEART is available for showing anywhere. Interested groups and individuals work with local theaters and other venues to rent a screen, and Ignatius provides a copy of the film with a complete promotional kit for an affordable fee.

“RESTLESS HEART tells St. Augustine’s story with superb production values, and it features an outstanding cast,” Brumley added. “We look forward to working with parishes, other organizations, and individuals across the country to bring St. Augustine’s life to as many people as possible. This is a tremendous opportunity to launch the Year of Faith and engage in the New Evangelization.”

An exclusive, extended trailer of the film is available online now at www.RestlessHeartFilm.com. For more information or interviews, please contact Tim Lilley (678-990-9032 or email TLilley@MaximusMG.com) or Kevin Wandra (678-990-9032 or email TLilley@MaximusMG.com) of The Maximus Group.

To bring RESTLESS HEART to a theater in your area, please contact Victor Pap (678-990-9032 or email VPap@MaximusMG.com) or Brandon Duncan (678-990-9032 or email BDuncan@MaximusMG.com) of The Maximus Group.

About the Film

RESTLESS HEART provides a historic backdrop and one of the Church’s most beloved and well-known saints – Augustine of Hippo – as its central character to tell a familiar story – as timely today as it was only a few generations after Jesus walked on Earth. It is the story of one who pursues fame and fortune without a moral compass – and the changes that occur when events lead him to see the light. It also chronicles the collapse of the Roman world and how Augustine laid the intellectual foundations of what became Europe.

Filmed in Europe, this major new epic film on the life of St. Augustine is the first full-length feature movie on the story of this incredible man.

RESTLESS HEART is directed by Christian Duguay (“Joan of Arc,” “Pius XII”). The $20-million project runs 127 minutes. The cast includes Allesandro Presiosi, Monica Guerritore, Johannes Brandrup, Serena Rossi and Franco Nero.

About Ignatius Press

Ignatius Press is among the largest U.S. publishers and distributors of Catholic books, magazines, videos, DVDs, and music. It is the primary English-language publisher of Pope Benedict XVI’s books.