Father Kentenich in the movies? Yes, that’s what’s going to happen soon, at least in three countries, with the premiere of the film “Dachau, the Hell.” Some Schoenstatt members are mobilizing to organize screenings of the documentary in movie theaters in Spanish- and English-speaking countries.
Paraguay, Ecuador, and Mexico have already confirmed the premiere of the film on the big screen. The documentary recounts the experiences of Fr. Joseph Kentenich in Dachau. More information here.
In Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, the film will be shown at the Cinemark, located inside a shopping mall (August 26 at 8:00 p.m.). Juan Vicente Ramírez says: “We have had previous experiences where we organized the screening of the film The Chosen as a charity event. When I saw that the new docudrama was available, I said to myself, ‘This material is so important for us Schoenstatters that we might as well show it at the Cinemark theater, where we were able to gather 300 Schoenstatters for that one screening’. And we hope to achieve the same number this time! We hope that this production will bring us closer to the experience lived in Dachau, and that our brothers and sisters in the covenant will better understand the significance of Dachau in our history, where it became one of its most important milestones.”
At the end of the film, the Schoenstatt Family of Ciudad del Este is planning a “film discussion” to deepen the ideas and share the thoughts of our Father and Founder.
Currently, these are some of the countries that have already confirmed the screening of the documentary: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil (scheduled for September, with Portuguese subtitles), Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, the United States, Spain, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.
A “big screen” at the Wayside Shrine in Chihuahua, Mexico
In Chihuahua, Mexico, there is no movie theater, but the team responsible has secured a large screen for the screening. Marco Antonio Vázquez and Cynthia Gabriela Perea say that the screening of the film will have three special objectives: to strengthen the bond with the MTA Wayside Shrine, to increase unity among the branches of the Movement, and to contribute financially to local infrastructure projects.
“The film will be shown at the Wayside Shrine in Chihuahua, using a rented giant screen that will allow attendees to enjoy it in a suitable and welcoming environment. To complement the experience, a food service will be organized (popcorn, soft drinks, and hot dogs), with logistics handled by the different branches of the Movement (youth, women, and families), to promote collaboration and unity. Likewise, the space will be decorated with elements alluding to the special nature of the event,” explain Marco Antonio and Cynthia.
Something different is going to happen in San Luis, Argentina. Mariela Ramos and Miguel Carmona say that they have opted for a closed room: “In the province of San Luis, it will be broadcast in the room lent to us by the National University of Cuyo on September 12 in two performances. With this broadcast, we want people to get to know the Father, his story, and his teachings, since he is very relevant today. The idea is to convey a message of hope by looking at the reality that the Father and Founder experienced in suffering and adversity and understanding his capacity for resilience, overcoming obstacles, and hope in the face of such painful situations.”
Two years of hard work
Anita Tovar and Octavio Ontiveros, from Querétaro, Mexico, are part of the CINEmater production team. After two years of hard work, they share their expectations for the premiere: “We joined the team of brothers and sisters who work together with the sole intention of supporting this production in whatever way we could: time, readings, resources, contributions to the capital of grace, gifts, and abilities, so that the work could be carried out and fulfill its purpose of getting to know this man who taught us in a spiritual way to face our challenges in the areas where we fight our own battles—marital, family, economic, health… It was not easy, because over the past two years, we faced many trials, but Providence showed us the way to live our Dachau differently.”
Financial support for the Movement and the Kentenich Cause
The film’s director, Gabriel Gross, explains that one of the documentary’s objectives is to raise funds for Schoenstatt International and the Kentenich Cause.
“As a Schoenstatt family, we must realize that it is also our responsibility to support the Movement in our local communities and the activities of Schoenstatt International. Financial resources are needed, and this is everyone’s responsibility. Today we have a great opportunity to do so. We can rent a movie theater, find a screening room, an auditorium, our living room, etc., or any space where we can gather the Schoenstatt family and their friends to ask for a donation and thus raise the necessary funds.”
Donations are part of the We Are All Schoenstatt campaign. Click on the button for more information:
About the screening of the film
Correcting information we previously published:
As previously announced, the documentary will be released this Friday, August 22, at 8:00 a.m. (Germany time) on Schoenstatt International’s YouTube channel.
However, the film will be available only for 1 hour and will no longer remain visible for later screenings.
Schoenstatt International has made this change to the initial proposal in response to the request of the teams preparing the launch in various countries, so that the film may be watched exclusively at the different theaters, cinemas, and public projection venues.
We count on the understanding of everyone awaiting this release and encourage participation in the group screenings. It will be a beautiful work to be contemplated in Family spirit, with one heart!
*Featured photo: Krists Luhaers, unsplash.com
*Text corrected at 8:50 p.m. Berlin time.