In English, the Croatian word “Gospa” translates as “Our Lady.” If “Our Lady” is someone with whom you’d like to spend more time, then Gospa is the movie for you. Gospa is less an example of artful filmmaking than rousing sermonizing. The movie’s story is based on actual events that occurred in Bosnia in 1981 when a group of six children in the village of Medjugorje claimed to see visions of the Virgin. She visited them daily with a message inspiring everyone to pray for peace. The village’s scant congregation grew into an ever-increasing throng, as worshipers gathered to witness a miracle. The Franciscan priest, Reverend Jozo Zovko (Sheen), who oversees the parish, is somewhat skeptical of the children’s claims but thankful for the upturn in church attendance. Only the ruling Communist authorities are vexed by the gatherings and, thus, implement strong-arm tactics to prevent their occurrence. Rev. Zovko, rising to the dire circumstances, does what he can to protect his parishioners from the faithless Communist soldiers — even to the point of arrest and torture. This is the kind of virtuous role for which Martin Sheen has always been a sucker… and this time is no different. The movie was shot in English in 1994 in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The production standards are minimal and the performances are rough and unpolished. Gospa‘s narrative aims are not the discovery of the story’s inherent drama and conflict but, rather, the inspiration of the faithful to continue fighting the good fight. But if the image of Morgan Fairchild portraying a devout nun sends your personal inspiration meter into whirligigs, then you and Gospa will forever have different visions of Our Lady. “Like a Virgin,” indeed.
This article appears in February 23 • 1996 (Cover).
