Mexican actor gives up fame to make movies that touch lives

Published: 2007-05-15

OTTAWA (CNS) -- If the story of the rich young man from the Gospel of Matthew had a sequel updated for modern times, it might resemble the life of actor Eduardo Verastegui, a Catholic who stars in the film "Bella." In the Gospel account, Jesus tells the young man to sell all he has and follow him, but the man goes away sorrowful. In the modern-day sequel, Verastegui sells all he has and is prepared to give up his budding acting career to follow Jesus. Verastegui had reached the zenith of Mexican celebrity as a soap star and singer who had toured at least 13 countries to sold-out crowds. His resume includes music videos and films. But while studying English in Los Angeles, he found himself drawn to a deeper faith in Jesus through the example of his Catholic teacher, and began to see all the reasons he had wanted to be an actor -- fame, money and pleasure -- as empty and vain. In 2004 he met movie producer Leo Severino while attending daily Mass. Not long after, Verastegui and Severino co-founded Metanoia Films to produce movies that could change lives and hearts. "Bella," released in 2006, is Metanoia's first film. It won the coveted People's Choice Award at last fall's Toronto Film Festival.

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