Photo: Columbia Pictures / Courtesy
Stuart Long was an amateur boxer who never achieved his dream of earning a living with his sport, so he sought his fortune in the world of cinema in Hollywood. There he fell in love with a Catholic girl for whom he began to attend mass on Sundays. To the surprise of his parents and friends, Long found a deep faith that led him to become a priest, despite the fact that at that time he began to suffer from an incurable degenerative disease that would end his life.
The true story of Stuart Long is the basis for “Father Stu”, Mark’s latest film Wahlberg that has just been released in the middle of Easter. In addition to being the protagonist, the actor is also the producer of the film, because the story is very close to his deep Christian faith.
In addition to Wahlberg , the film features the participation of Mel Gibson
in the role of Long’s father and of the Mexican Teresa Ruiz (“Narcos”) as the young Hispanic woman who brings him closer to the Church . We were able to speak with Mark Wahlberg in New York a few days before the premiere of “Father Stu”.
Question: What did you see in the Stuart Long story that made you say, “I want to do this movie”?
Mark Wahlberg: I feel like the movie chose me. When I pray I ask for direction, to know what I am supposed to do. Because God gives you talents for a reason, to use them for greater good. This film made sense immediately. I found no reason not to make this movie. Even when people told me I shouldn’t do it, I always came back with the same answer: I should do this movie because it’s important to everyone. Not just to tell his true story and echo his message, but for the people, for their healing, to instill hope and help people find their calling. It was a blessing in many ways.
Q.: The movie reminds me of Joe Bell, another true story with a deep message. Are you trying to make more movies like this?
MW: Absolutely. These are the movies that really fill me up. They have substance and meaning. Hopefully they will move the needle when it comes to specific problems that we are all facing. So yes: I am pointing in a direction where I want to make more meaningful content. I am willing to put my money where my faith is. I don’t care, this is what I’m supposed to do, it fills me up more. I’ve made a lot of amazing movies, but whenever you tell a true story – and I’ve gravitated towards them over the last few years – those are the ones that matter the most and usually have the most impact. But particularly this story, because it is my faith, because it is part of my journey, of who I am and who I have become as an adult… and for doing God’s work.
Q.: The movie starts with a boxing scene. But then the character undergoes a transformation that is also physical, gaining a lot of weight. Is it more difficult for you to gain weight than to physically prepare yourself to look good and box?
MW: Gaining weight in such a short time is very unhealthy and very uncomfortable. I didn’t feel like doing it, but that was a very important part of who he was. , because his physical nature marked him. He had to be able to show how debilitating his illness was, that it took away everything but his faith, his spirituality. That gave him the strength of a thousand men.
P.: Teresa Ruiz, who we know from “Narcos” has a very important role in this story…
MW: She is the one who led him to the Lord. God puts very specific people in your life for a very specific reason. Teresa was absolutely amazing in the movie. The love story is one of my favorite aspects of the film.
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