wfn.org | 'Bonhoeffer' Documentary to Show in Several Cities

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

June 26, 2003

'BONHOEFFER' DOCUMENTARY TO SHOW IN SEVERAL CITIES
03-137-JAC*

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The feature length documentary "Bonhoeffer,"
directed by Martin Doblmeier, is showing in several cities this summer,
including a return engagement June 27-July 10 at the Gene Siskel Film
Center here.  The film, which ran at that theater in late March, returns
in a series of national showings.
     The 90-minute film debuted at the Siskel Film Center in March for
a "trial run" in which every show was sold out, according to Doblmeier.
     "It took off from there," he said.  Though the film was turned
down for the Sundance Film Festival, a committee there decided the film
had a lot to say and provided showings for the film in local churches,
Doblmeier said.  From there, the film was invited for showings at
congregations across the country, he said.
     Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor and theologian.
He was part of an attempted assassination plot on Hitler and was
executed near the end of World War II.
     The film offers a historical view of Bonhoeffer's theology, said
Doblmeier.  "It's a historical biography that is not afraid to explore
the theology of Bonhoeffer," he said.
     In the film are several pieces of historical film footage from the
World War II era.  "We went out of our way to find historical film
footage that is really different," Doblmeier said.  "We used film that
had never been seen before."
     Overall, Doblmeier said the film's emergence into mainstream
venues is important.
     "It's a film about faith, and to see that in mainstream theatrics
is a real accomplishment," he said.  "The success of the film means a
lot.  It's a very affirming experience."
     The film opened in New York June 20.  It will debut in Washington
D.C., July 11; Indianapolis, July 11; Santa Fe, N.M., July 11; and
Minneapolis, July 18.  It will be shown in Seattle, July 25-27; Fort
Lauderdale, July 3-Aug. 3; Cochranton, Pa., Aug. 7-13; and Cleveland,
Sept. 3 and Sept. 7.

Information about the documentary can be found at www.bonhoeffer.com on
the Web.

* Jessica A. Crane is completing her bachelor of arts degree at
Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn.  This summer she is an intern with
ELCA News and Media Production.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html