MANILA, Philippines - A festschrift is a volume of learned articles or essays that serves as a tribute or a memorial, usually for a teacher or scholar.

If anyone has earned that privilege, it is Fr. Nicasio Cruz, S.J. As film critic and teacher, he has touched countless lives since he started teaching film 35 years ago, molding young minds with a keen appreciation for film with his boundless enthusiasm for cinema.

Fr. Nick, as he is fondly called, celebrated his 60th year as a Jesuit and as a priest in 2007. To mark the occasion, the Office of Research and Publications of the Ateneo released this year a festschrift titled “Movies that Matter.” The book contains essays by Fr. Nick, his colleagues, and former students on the subject of film appreciation. If the book could accommodate tributes from all the persons Fr. Nick has influenced, it would rival the Bible in thickness.

When talking about his childhood, Fr. Nick likens the experience to the film “Cinema Paradiso,” one of his favorites.

“Like the boy in the film ‘Cinema Paradiso,’ I was a child involved with watching films. I see myself in him,” Fr. Nick shared. He added: “From the very beginning, I enjoyed watching movies.”

Fr. Nick was born on September 14, 1929 in San Miguel, Manila. His mother, whom he described as a film addict, brought her son to watch films at an early age. They often went “theatre-hopping” to cinemas such as Life Theater, Lyric, Avenue, and Rizal to see Tagalog movies.

In 1937, at the age of 9, he played a minor role as one of the bystanders in the movie “Binibini ng Pangarap,” which starred Rogelio dela Rosa and Carmen Rosales.

During the Japanese Occupation, he studied classical piano under Professor Lucia Francisco at the Conservatory of Music in the University of the Philippines. In 1947, he entered the Society of Jesus and became a Jesuit.

Recalled Fr. Nick: “Not to be boastful, but I was [Professor Francisco’s] favorite. That’s why she never forgave me when I left music and entered the priesthood. All her students studied to become professional pianists.”

But he loved being with people and heeded the call. “Primarily I’m a priest. Secondary that I’m involved with film,” he said

In 1972, Fr. Nick started teaching Film Theory and Appreciation at the Ateneo de Manila University. He was then asked by the Jesuits to specialize in media, film in particular. In 1975, he was sent to study cinematography at the London International Film School.

On his return, he resumed teaching film appreciation while developing other film courses like Philippine Cinema, European Cinema, Elements of Filmmaking and Asian Cinema.

“I want to teach Ateneans that cinema is not just about Hollywood.” Fr. Nick shared. He pointed out that being a teacher complements his role as a priest. In teaching film, he said: “I interact with, and influence, a lot of students.”

Because of his roles in the Church, film and academe, Fr. Nick is often asked: Is there any conflict between being a priest and a film critic?

In an essay “Jesuit Film Critic?—An Anomaly” featured in his festschrift, Fr. Nick writes: “A Latin poet summed up the only answer that can be given: Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto (I am a human being and I don’t believe that anything human is alien to me). The Church, therefore, is interested in a whole range of human behavior and nothing which humans do is beyond the Church’s range of interest.”

Being a priest informs his various roles, he said. “I am conscious of my responsibility as a Jesuit to bring in Ignatian spirituality to my work as teacher and film critic.”

People may be unfamiliar with the distinction, but there is a difference between being a film reviewer and being a film critic, which is what he is, said Fr. Nick. “Film criticism differs from film reviewing,” he writes in the festschrift. A reviewer sees the film as subject to his tastes. For a film critic, the film is an object to be analyzed.

“Film critics seldom worry about enjoying a film,” Fr. Nick writes. “Where the reviewer is necessarily subjective, the critic tries to be systematically objective,” he adds.

Aside from being a film critic and teacher, Fr. Nick is concurrently serving as a Board Member of the Movie Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). Appointed to the role in 1998, he screens movies and television shows twice a week and reviews content shown on film and television.

While most MTRCB board members--and priests-- are unjustly portrayed as prudes advocating censorship and sneering at art, Fr. Nick defies the stereotype. He balances his religious views with his aesthetics as film critic and teacher. He keeps an open mind and an open heart when watching movies, he said.

Indeed, his views on nudity and sex in movies are refreshing. You should first ask whether they’re relevant to the movie, he pointed out. “The questions I ask are: ’Is the sex scene necessary in the development of the character or plot? How is it portrayed? Is it exploitative or enough to establish the scene?’”

He cited “Fatal Attraction” that uses sex in advancing the plot and developing the movie’s theme. “Sex there was necessary to establish the relationship between Michael Douglas and Glenn Close,” Fr. Nick said. “The sex there wasn’t demeaning or excessive,” he added.

Fr. Nick admitted that he is more stringent with violence than nudity or sex.

“The nude body is beautiful to look at,” he said. “(But) I’ve x-rated a lot of violent scenes. Why? Violence is desecrating the human body whereas sex done in the context of a married set-up is a beautiful act.”

While he detests violent films, Fr. Nick admitted that he can appreciate violence in films, as long as it is depicted in the proper context and treated in a certain manner. “I can appreciate violence that makes you hate violence,” said Fr. Nick. “It makes me appreciate people who don’t engage in violent things,” he added. He named “City of God” as one such film. The movie depicted children living amidst so much violence.

Asked what makes a good film, Fr. Nick gave a ready answer: “When I am emotionally touched.” As a priest, he appreciates values in film. However, he prefers films that portray these values in a subtle, “non-preachy” manner. According to Fr. Nick, such films don’t necessarily have to espouse Christian values. He prefers the term “human values.”

Fr. Nick said: “You don’t have to be a Christian to appreciate human values in film. People of any religion can learn from these films.”

Fr. Nick takes this lesson to heart as a priest and as a teacher. Rather than listing down values, he mentions films that effectively portray these values. Whether giving homilies, retreats, or lectures, he puts the power of film to good use.

“Media is the communication tool of modern times,” said Fr. Nick. He added: “I use film when giving retreats. I mention films in my homilies. People can relate to films. One movie is worth several lectures.”

Sixty years as a Jesuit and 35 years as a film teacher, Fr. Nick continues his unabashed devotion for cinema. “I’ll be 80 next year,” he said. “I’ve reached my apex. They say life begins at 40. I believe that. At 40, I saw my niche, that this is all I can do and give myself fully. I developed subjects about film one after the other.”

Other people his age might leave the movie theater before the lights dim. Fr. Nick however stays until the end credits roll down the screen. He shared, “As long as I can, as long as I’m capable, as long as I can walk and talk, I will continue teaching.”