New film by Father Flanagan takes a deeper look at the famous founder of Boys Town

CNA Staff, August 19, 2024 / 06:00

Many people know the story of Father Edward J. Flanagan from the Oscar-winning 1938 film “Boys Town,” starring Spencer Tracy. Now a new documentary about the famous priest promises deeper insights into Flanagan's life when it hits theaters for one night only on October 8.

Heart of a Servant: The Father Flanagan Story documents Flanagan's tireless commitment to abandoned and orphaned youth from the Great Depression through the aftermath of World War II, as he defied racist laws to help the most vulnerable and give them hope for the future. The film covers a range of topics, from Flanagan's health issues to his immigration to the United States to the founding of Boys Town in Nebraska.

The feature-length documentary was produced by Spirit Juice Studios in association with the Father Flanagan League and filmed on location in Ireland, Germany, Austria, Japan and throughout the United States. It also features expert commentary from Steve Wolf, the assistant postulator for Flanagan's cause for beatification and canonization, as well as Deacon Omar FA Gutierrez, Father Ryan Lewis and Ed Flanagan, Flanagan's great-nephew, to name a few. The film is narrated by popular Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie, known for his role as Jesus Christ in “The Chosen.”

Rob Kaczmark, co-director and executive producer of the film, and producer Victoria McEachern spoke to CNA about their experiences working on the project, as well as the impact Flanagan has had on them personally and what they hope viewers will take away from his inspiring story.

McEachern stressed that while many of the larger themes from Flanagan's life are well known, it was the “smaller moments” she learned about during filming that stood out to her and gave the documentary more depth.

“For me, it was those little, quiet moments,” she said. “Father Flanagan was this big personality who was incredibly well-known, and he was also a very quiet, holy, generous and giving man.”

She added that we can continue to learn a lot from Flanagan – especially when it comes to the injustices we face in today's society.

“He was way ahead of his time in speaking out against segregation and racial justice,” McEachern said. “Recognizing how he felt about those situations in the past continues to influence how we deal with the injustices of our day.”

Kaczmark added that Flanagan is a “powerful example of calling people to be saints” and hopes viewers will be inspired to “see the issues in the things of their own lives and see where God is calling them to serve and lead people.”

McEachern hopes viewers will be inspired “by the example of one man.”

“There's so much going on in the world and in our small communities as well. And to see the difference – and he did, he really had a tangible impact in many different areas – to see the difference that he made and that he was so selfless in doing it and that ultimately it started every morning in the chapel and with the person right in front of him,” McEachern said.

When asked what she thinks Flanagan would do today if he were faced with the inequalities prevalent in our society, McEachern said she believes he would “continue to support the people who are right in front of him. He would continue to recognize the hardship that is before him and encourage all of us, and he would say let's do something about it, even if it's risky.”

Kaczmark added: “I think he would gently invite them to holiness, to Christ, and at the same time serve them. And I think that's what we are called to do as Christians, as Catholics – to serve those who are before us and to point people back to Christ. We are not the saviors, we are Christ's hands and feet on earth that ultimately lead people back to heaven.”