Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
3 Jun 2013
In 1936, at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War, the Claretian religious community of Barbastro was attacked by militants. An assembly hall became their jail, where they were pressured to renounce their faith.
"I'm worried about you, Father: the guards say you keep praying the Rosary out loud."
"But why does it annoy them if I pray?"
The men wouldn't give up, and in the end they paid with their lives. The movie 'Un Dios Prohibido', which translates to 'A Forbidden God', recounts the story a group of 51 Claretians, just weeks before they were all shot to death.
PABLO MORENO
Director, 'Un Dios Prohibido'
"We want to express the truth about these men, their truth. It's about their coherent life, the way they defended their own faith even in the most extreme conditions. They were kept prisoners for many days and knew that in the end they would probably die."
The film's presentation in Rome was attended by Spanish Cardinal Santos Abril and the superiors of the Claretian community. According to the director, the movie isn't about blame, but about forgiveness and respect.
PABLO MORENO
Director, 'Un Dios Prohibido'
"The Spanish Civil War and especially religious persecution have been a point of conflict in Spain for decades. I find the theme of forgiveness and reconciliation very interesting. At the end of the day, they are perfectly valid ideals and especially nowadays, in a democratic society where all ideals have their own place. What must not happen is the imposition of any of these ideals by violence."
One of the protagonists is trade union leader Eugenio Sopena, who says he was personally touched by the martyr's hardships.
JACOBO MUÑOZ
Actor, 'Un Dios Prohibido'
"My character believes in his own values, but there comes a point where he questions everything. He clashes with the world and with what his superiors ask of him. And he doesn't really know where to go or what to do. (FLASH) 04,40 - 04,56 "These people died forgiving the people who killed them. That's impressive. I do not know if today anyone would do that, to forgive someone who is harming them."
'Un Dios prohibido' will be released in theaters next summer. It will also be screened in cinemas in Brazil, during World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro.
shared from ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
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