For immediate release Contact: Fr. Don Woznicki (310) -892-5778 ******************* [May 9, 2008] Juno … a ‘New Ethos’ in film Advocacy group, committed to drawing Catholic audience, cites Best Picture nominee  The New Ethos logo has been created to communicate to the Catholic community those exceptional creative efforts of the entertainment industry that confront the challenging issues of our society and culture today. New Ethos is the brainchild of Father Don Woznicki, a priest of Chicago, inspired by the late Pope John Paul II, an artist himself, and the teachings of Vatican II. “We want to encourage and applaud those exceptional efforts of the entertainment industry whose genuine artistic intuition goes beyond what the senses perceive, reaches beneath reality's surface, and echoes the mystery of God’s creation,” said Fr. Don Woznicki, who has come to Hollywood to actively dialogue with and support artists and executives in the industry (film, videogames, TV, music) that capture a spirit of goodness, truth and beauty in their art. “For entertainment that is culturally worthy, we are committed to promoting it to the Catholic community. Our mark of excellence hopes to communicate a consumer confidence that will awaken the giant Catholic community to such media.” The logo “Mark of Excellence” is awarded to exemplary products while other promotion worthy films can be given the mark of “A New Ethos Selection.” New Ethos considers Juno such a film as it creates the opportunity for society, especially youth groups, to discuss the important social issues raised in the film. “Yes, it has some raw moments that the Church would not canonize, but there is something rich and powerful about the overall spirit of JUNO. We want to affirm Mandate Pictures and Fox Searchlight Pictures in the making and distribution of such a quality film that create opportunities for dialogue on these social issues,” said Father Woznicki. The story within JUNO challenges the belief that a solution to an unwanted pregnancy is to deny the life of the baby. Instead the audience sees a courageous young girl (Ellen Page) face her dilemma with a script laced with truth and humor (Diablo Cody) and with the aid of her family and friends. "Juno is a a New Ethos showcase film because its overarching message affirms the culture of life particularly in the aspect of the unborn, and the care and support of an unwed, pregnant teen,” said Fr. Woznicki. New Ethos’ product selection process is unique in that it is a collaborative decision of a community of entertainment experts, theologians and other academia and test markets. New Ethos considers all films from “family through R rated” that excel in art and virtue. New Ethos is a 501c(3) Catholic organization that serves the entertainment industry’s potential to be a major agent of truth, beauty, and goodness in culture. New Ethos’ mission is one of advocacy, promoting worthy entertainment media to primarily, though not exclusively a Catholic consumer. More information is available from the New Ethos website, www.new-ethos.org or by calling 310-892-5778. |