The production company CineMater presents a special premiere for the entire Schoenstatt Family on August 22nd: the docudrama “DACHAU, The Hell”, presented in Spanish and, very soon, with English subtitles.
“DACHAU, The Hell” is a film-quality docudrama that includes dramatized scenes about the experiences of Father Joseph Kentenich, founder of the Schoenstatt Movement, as well as other priests detained in the Dachau concentration camp. The docudrama presents several interwoven stories, illustrating the challenges of making decisions that could alter the course of the Movement amidst World War II and Nazi domination, in the light of practical faith in Divine Providence. It also shows how the covenant of love sealed in Schoenstatt in 1914 bore extraordinary fruit. Approximately 120 priests from different backgrounds made their covenant in this concentration camp.
Team of experts behind the film
The feature film is narrated by the Schoenstatt Fathers Ángel Strada and Eduardo Aguirre, who have led the cause of canonization of Father Kentenich and know in detail the history of our founder before, during, and after Dachau. It also includes the narration of Fr. Pedro Kühlcke, who also interprets religious and Marian songs in German, similar to the songs of the time.
Made with love, dedication, and professionalism by volunteers, this production is available free of charge to the Schoenstatt Family worldwide. It was produced and directed by Gabriel Gross, an outstanding cinematographer and audiovisual producer, founder of CineMater Producciones, who has worked on projects for the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement, the Pope Leo XIII Institute, and the Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land. The music for the docudrama is original and composed exclusively for this production.
A launch in favor of the We Are All Schoenstatt Campaign and, in this way, also of the Kentenich Cause
The international launch of this production in the Spanish language is scheduled for August 22, the feast of Mary Queen, on the Schoenstatt International YouTube channel. The English subtitled version will be announced in the coming weeks. We hope that the large international Schoenstatt Family and the authorities and leaders of the Movement in different places will join this official presentation effort and take advantage of it to raise funds for the local Schoenstatt Movement and, if possible, contribute to the project “We are all Schoenstatt”, whose link is attached at the bottom of this communication.
The film will initially be released in Spanish and English. If there are volunteers for the translation, it may also be translated into other languages. If you are interested in collaborating, please get in touch with us through this email: cinematerproducciones@gmail.com
Why make a film about Dachau?
In Dachau, the wisdom of the cross became tangible: learning to live with Christian and priestly dignity even in the most adverse circumstances. This time taught us to trust fully in Divine Providence and to embrace the cross as the way of redemption and hope. It was a living testimony of how faith can transform suffering into a source of grace and renewal.
This time also allowed for a profound reflection on the Schoenstatt charism and its role in the Church. In the midst of difficulties, Father Kentenich became aware of the need for this charism to become fully active and fruitful, especially in the face of the challenges of a world marked by collectivism and other currents that threatened both society and the Church itself.
Father Kentenich says:
Although we were physically prisoners, subjected to inhuman conditions, inner freedom became a treasure that no one could take away from us. It was a freedom born of faith and absolute trust in Divine Providence.
Inner freedom, as we understood it in Dachau, was not simply the absence of physical chains, but the ability to be free for God and for all that was divine. It was a constant struggle to free ourselves from all that was not divine, from all that could keep us from our communion with Him. This freedom did not allow itself to be intimidated or to bend, not even in the most adverse circumstances. It was a freedom that sprang from the certainty that we are children of God, members of Christ, and temples of the Most Holy Trinity.
Those interested in launching the premiere of this production should send a message to Anita Tovar or Virginia de la Rosa, responsible for communications, by email: cinematerproducciones@gmail.com
Translation: Sr. M. Lourdes Macías
