A saintly life: Bosco Films brings ‘Just Javier’ to Ayala Malls Cinemas nationwide

Javier’s spiritual awakening began taking shape when he and his brother Fernando left their strict, traditional home in Spain for the United States. Whilst living in Venice Beach, Los Angeles, Javier encountered the local homeless population, particularly Vietnam War veterans. This stark contrast to his own privileged upbringing prompted him to question his life’s purpose. Drawn to spirituality through meditation, yoga and a desire to help the less fortunate, Javier embarked on a humanitarian mission to the mountains of Cuzco, Peru. What was originally intended to be a one-month trip unexpectedly evolved into a year-long mission.

His journey of radical self-giving eventually led him to the Seminary of Toledo and, later, to the Communitat de Lord (Community of Lord) in the Catalan Pre-Pyrenees. There, in a remote mountain sanctuary, Javier embraced a contemplative life of poverty, prayer and silence. Although his path was initially met with incomprehension by his strict father, his family eventually understood the profound peace he found. Sadly, Javier passed away from a sudden heart attack shortly before receiving the Sacrament of Holy Orders (priestly ordination), but his legacy continues to inspire those who hear his story.

For the film’s director, Josepmaria Anglès, the most formidable challenge in translating Javier’s life to the screen was visually capturing the essence of contemplation.

“The most challenging thing was all the parts of Javier’s life that are related to contemplation, like silence, contemplation, reflection, prayer. Because, you know, it’s not easy to do something catchy or entertaining when it comes to contemplating,” Anglès explained. To overcome this, the production relied on subtle, touching music and the magnificent work of their director of photography, Joan Girbau Xalabarder, who used drones and expansive shots to allow beauty to fill the screen.

To ensure authenticity—a word Anglès believes best defines Javier—the filmmakers employed a cinéma vérité approach, particularly for the scenes set in Peru. Rather than hiring extras, the production used the real people from the local communities and missions Javier had interacted with. “We wanted to convey the sense of truth and authenticity to the audience,” Anglès added.

While Just Javier is rooted in the Catholic faith, its creators deliberately crafted a universal narrative. “It’s not only made for Christians,” Anglès noted. “We wanted to do something universal that any person of any belief could feel provoked, interested or engaged in Javier’s journey.”

The documentary ends by highlighting the profound question that Javier would often ask those around him: “What would you do if you had only one week left to live?” Mauricio shared that his brother would ask him another version of the question: “If you hit the lottery, what would you do with your life?” For Javier, the answer to both was the same—he would continue living exactly as he was, an answer that speaks volumes about finding one’s true vocation.

Mauricio hopes that audiences will leave the cinema reflecting on their own lives. “I hope this documentary is not something that, ‘oh, I loved it...’ I hope that this helps you answer questions for you,” he said. “Don’t go with your eyes and ears and your face; open your heart. Go with your heart. Listen with the heart.”

Just Javier has already enjoyed significant success in Spain, drawing over 23,000 moviegoers and continuing its theatrical run for over a month. Following its international rollout across several Spanish-speaking countries, the film’s message of authenticity, sacrifice and the search for true fulfilment now arrives in the Philippines.

From August 12, Just Javier will be exclusively screened at select Ayala Malls Cinemas, including Greenbelt, Glorietta, Circuit, Feliz, Trinoma, UP Town Center, Manila Bay, Bonifacio High Street, Central Bloc (Cebu), Centrio (Cagayan de Oro) and Capitol Central (Bacolod).

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