Local filmmaker discusses &#039;Final Vows&#039;

August 27, 2024

By New Outlook

The Diocese of Tucson is excited to announce the local premiere of Final Vows, a documentary about cloistered nuns who live at the Santa Rita Abbey in Sonoita. A rare opportunity, Tucson filmmaker Vicky Westover spent more than several years producing and directing the film. Westover recently spoke with the New Outlook about her documentary.

As you draw toward the premiere in Tucson, what gives you the most hope about showing it to the local community?

I am so excited to finally share the film that is now six years in the making on a big screen with an audience. I am gratified by the interest that people of different backgrounds have shown in the film. I am looking forward to what I think will be a diverse audience that will include people interested in documentary filmmaking and in the very specific subject matter. And I am looking forward to people’s individual response to the film and what they get out of it. I think that it is wonderful that the Abbess, Sister Vicki Murray and Sister Pamela Fletcher will be with us for the screening and the discussion, which will include some Q&A with the audience. I think that the conversation after the film will offer audience members a unique and compelling experience. 

How did you gain the trust of the sisters at the monastery?

I and my small team which included a producer, a cinematographer, and a sound recordist, started with conversations, both with all the nuns and with the Abbess, Sister Vicki, separately. How Sister Vicki decided to initially trust us, with reservations, is her story to tell. Then when Sister Vicki felt ready to work with us, we started filming and Sister Vicki stayed close. I think that as the process unfolded and she began to see how we worked, what questions we asked, and as she got to know us personally and got feedback from the sisters in her care who were also participating, she felt increasingly that she could trust us and leave us to do the work. It’s a vulnerable position to be in - to be filmed. I credit the other members of my team, in particular my cinematographer, Jonathan VanBallenberghe, for also winning the trust of the sisters.

The process also required continuing conversations about intentions. Sister Vicki expressed that her fear was that we would portray the community inauthentically. I think that because we were willing to show her footage as we were making the film which she watched, she grew more and more comfortable. I think that when she saw that I was truly interested in portraying her community in an authentic way she understood the potential for the film. One of the greatest compliments she gave the film is that she thinks we convey the true personalities of each of the nuns in the film. I’ll add that we had some good laughs through the process. It was a joyful experience to make the film.

You're not Catholic, yet you spent considerable time producing this film, what was your motivation?

My motivation in making this film was to commit for a considerable time to exploring a subject I knew something about and was very curious about but that I didn’t have true depth of understanding of that subject- the life of nuns - and to offer what I learned to others. This is my documentary directorial debut, and I chose a subject that I could immerse myself into so that I could learn to be a documentary director by doing. 

Bishop Edward Weisenburger feels very strongly about growing vocations in the Diocese of Tucson, this film may bear fruit, was that at all one of your considerations? 

I know that Sister Vicki and the other sisters hope that the film impacts vocations, and I realize that is in large part why she agreed to have the Abbey participate. It was not my intention for the film, but as we were making the film, we did understand that it could have that outcome. Because the film is the sisters’ story and we aimed to show their point of view, the great desire and need to have more women enter the Abbey became an important point in the film. We were very concerned with this in the editing stage. If the film helps a woman decide that she wants to become a nun, I would be happy for that woman. After spending time with the sisters of Santa Rita Abbey, I have great respect for them and the life they chose.

Films always garner criticism, have you received any? 

I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the response to the idea of the film from people of diverse backgrounds and faiths and some of no faith. I think that many people recognize that it could offer a unique and interesting experience for them. The image of the nun is ubiquitous in popular culture, and there are misconceptions of a nun’s life, and I think people are very curious to watch something that would give them an authentic view. But my pitch to someone who seems uninterested is - come and experience a world that you don’t have access to and see if it has any relevance to you.

Final Vows will premiere in Tucson at the Fox Tucson Theater on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10, you can purchase tickets by visiting foxtucson.com.