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Two reports over the last few days have me very excited about some upcoming film releases. The first is a film about martyred monks that recently received the second prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Usually something at Cannes does not interest me at the awards usually go to movies that are either very humanistic and worldly or political and celebrating hedonistic themes. The film is called "Of Gods and Men" and is about a group of French monks who were martyred in Africa during the 1990s. The French director, Xavier Beauvois, centers the movie around the true story of seven Cistercian monks who were taken hostage and murdered by Islamic fundamentalists in 1996. There are news reports that the audience members wept during the presentaion of the film in Cannes. The monks, who lived contemplative lives in the service of the poor in the Atlas Mountains built strong friendships with their surrounding community and lived in relative peace until conflict arises between the local government and extremist groups. Though the monks are advised by everyone involved to leave, each one decides to stay and is eventually held hostage and murdered by the fundamentalists. Beauvois uses a real incident to spin his story of monks, their meandering ways, their religion and the ritualistic harmony they share with the local Muslim population. Critics had noted that the narrative leads leisurely to the climax, handled with dignified care. I am anxious to see this inspiring story. In addition, "The Last Summit" is being released and was directed by documentary filmmaker Juan Manuel Cotelo. It is the story of a diocesan priest, Father Pablo Dominguez, (who is also a philosophy professor) who died a year ago in a tragic accident. The documentary features testimonies from friends, family members, students and acquaintances, as well as interviews with Cardinal Antonio Canizares, Bishop Demetrio Fernandez of Cordoba and Archbishop Jesus Sanz of Oviedo. According to critics, “The first half of the movie could be a very useful vocational tool. The second half, which deals with Father Dominguez's death, has already proven to be effective by helping people, whether they are believers or not, who have confronted the death of a loved one.” Finally some positive and truthful portrayals of men who chose to give their lives to and for Christ.

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