PCCC will host the premiere of a groundbreaking new film "The Power of Forgiveness" during the Sundance Film Festival. Though this is an "off-Sundance" premiere, this important film is an invitaiton to explore forgiveness in a post-9/11 world through the eyes of different faith traditions. Journey Films also produced the film "Bonhoeffer" that was shown here in 2003 and subsequently aired on PBS.
A synopsis from the Journey Films web site:
Over the last 20 years forgiveness has come into its own as an area of academic study. Researchers are examining the psychological and physical effects of forgiveness on individuals and within relationships under a wide variety of conditions, ranging from petty insults to sexual assault. Clinicians have developed interventions that guide people through a process that allows them to forgive transgressions and get on with their lives.
THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS explores this important work and translates it into a popular, accessible 90-minute documentary film for national public television. The broadcast will be only one part of a national outreach strategy that includes limited theatrical release, a major Internet presence, and print and electronic media promotional campaign, and a variety of national and local conversations that will form The Campaign for Love and Forgiveness. The focus is on the emergent understanding of contemporary research that forgiveness is a valid tool with real potential for personal and spiritual transformation.
The film provides an honest look at the intensity of anger and grief that human nature is heir to. It combines character-driven stories of the most dramatic transgressions imaginable with those that seem more commonplace and thereby more familiar to its general audience. It examines the role that forgiveness can play in alleviating the resulting anger and grief and the physical, mental and spiritual benefits that come with forgiveness. It also looks at what many of the world’s religions teach about forgiveness. The stories of the people we meet assure us that there is hope if we are open to seeking it and accepting it.
The Power of Forgiveness will be show on three consecutive nights–January 21, 22, and 23 at 7:00PM in the Park City Community Church Fellowship Hall. Each showing will be followed by a panel discussion featuring leaders from local faith communities. Cost is a suggested donation of $10 to help cover the cost of bringing the film to Park City. For more details, contact me by email or at 435-649-8131 ext. 11
