Sky 3D present St Peter’s and the Papal Basilicas of Rome 3D

After the success of the Vatican Museums 3D and Florence and the Uffizi 3D, coming to cinemas St Peter’s and the Papal Basilicas of Rome 3D, a new film production by Sky 3D and the Vatican Television Centre (CTV) in collaboration with Nexo Digital, Magnitudo Film is to be released.

Taking viewers on a journey through the four Papal Basilicas in Rome and their treasures: St. Peter’s – one of the 25 most visited destinations by travellers from all over the world – St. John in the Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul Outside the Walls. Four majestic buildings – each with a precious papal altar, each a treasure trove of timeless works of art and a destination for millions of travellers and pilgrims over the centuries – play the leading role in a new film tour that has been recognized as a work of cultural interest by the film board of the Ministry of Culture, Heritage and Tourism – and is scheduled for worldwide theatrical release by Nexo Digital.

Behind the making of St. Peter and the Papal Basilicas of Rome 3D, in Italian cinemas for three days only from 11th to 13th April, is the extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis. Winding its way from the Early Christian Basilica on which St Peter’s was built, to the grandeur of Baroque, through the precious works of Medieval and Renaissance art, the narrative thread is provided by excerpts from “The Roman Journal” by Stendhal (1783-1842), the famous French writer who visited the four basilicas at the beginning of the 19th Century during his Grand Tour of Italy. Stendhal’s words are recited in the film by Adriano Giannini, emotionally preparing the viewer to come into contact with the historic, artistic world of these four imposing buildings seen through the eyes of the learned early 19th Century traveller.

During the 90 minutes of St. Peter and the Papal Basilicas of Rome 3D, four experts will discuss the basilicas and the works of art contained in them: Antonio Paolucci, director of the Vatican Museums, will guide us through St Peter’s, Paolo Portoghesi, internationally renowned architect, will present a passionate in-depth analysis of St John in the Lateran; Claudio Strinati, famous art historian, will reveal the history and the legends of St Mary Major; Micol Forti, director of the Vatican Museums Collection of Contemporary Art, will present St. Paul Outside the Walls to viewers.

From exclusive places inside the Vatican – the octagonal rooms of St Peter’s Sacristy and Treasury, the Sistine Hall in the Vatican Apostolic Library and the Ducale Hall in the Apostolic Palace – these experts will give original and compelling descriptions and their own individual perspective on the basilicas: their evolution over the centuries, their most famous works of art, the lives and stories of Popes and artists – from Giotto to Bramante, from Michelangelo to Francesco Borromini, from Bernini to Domenico Fontana, from Arnolfo di Cambio to Jacopo Torriti – the events that made these places immortal and the profound spirituality emanating from them.

The power of technology, as used in the most advanced film productions, has made it possible to capture amazing images from completely new and exclusive points of view, thanks also to the use of helicopters and mechanical arms. Completing the extraordinary visuals is the capacity of 3D to take viewers and “immerse” them, placing them centre-stage and in direct contact with the works of art.

St. Peter and the Papal Basilicas of Rome 3D is produced by Sky 3D and the Vatican Television Centre in collaboration with Nexo Digital, Magnitudo Film, and Sky Arte HD. Media partner for the Italian film release is MYmovies.it

Worldwide cinema release dates 2016:

· Mexico, Central America, Chile, and Peru: 5 May

· Finland: 9 May

· Spain: 19 May

· Canada: 9 June

· Australia: 18 June

· German, Austria: 19 June

· Denmark: 20 June

· Belgium: 23 June

· Luxembourg: 30 June

· UK, Ireland: 4 July

· New Zealand: 7 July

· USA: 14 July

· Netherlands: 19 July

· Colombia: 1 September

www.basilicasofrome3d.com