Hugh Dancy, John Hurt, Clare- Hope Ashitey, Nicola
Walker. Written by David Wolstencroft. Directed by
Michael Caton- Jones. IFC Films. 3/9/07
FILM SYNOPSIS: Beyond the Gates concerns a young
man who has come to teach at a Catholic secondary
school during the Rwandan genocide. A nonreligious
man, he is nonetheless an admirer of the priest who
heads the school. As danger nears, hundreds of
Rwandans take refuge behind the gates of the school,
while the UN does nothing to help them. Another tribe
waits outside to slaughter these people. They know the
UN soldiers guarding the compound will leave. They
wait in order to kill their fellow Rwandans.
It is a story about love, the sacrifices we make
for others, and the choices we make when our faith is
tested. The film will begin opening in select theaters
March 9. The story was written by producer and former
BBC reporter David Belton, and is based on a Catholic
priest he met, and whom he credits for saving his life
and many others, during his time as a reporter in
Rwanda.
Additional information can be found at www.alrcnewskitchen.com/beyondthegates.
REVIEW: A powerful, deeply moving film, maybe the
most important one you'll see this year. Director
Michael Caton-Jones (City By the Sea) skillfully
involves the viewer, as we grow to know and care for
the characters, and the script by firsttime
screenwriter David Wolstencroft addresses faith and
presents a man of God as truly that, a man who
reverences God and embraces Christ's command to love
others.
Rated R for some language and for violent imagery,
but the content is not exploitive. Too often we see
films featuring the foibles and evils of men who
proclaim to be Christians while living an immoral
life. Here, in the face of death, the priest shows
courage, while expressing compassion and love for his
assailant. It is a very effecting moment. Indeed, it
reminds us to draw closer to Christ in order to find
that love for our fellow man.
Intended Audience: Older teens and adults
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