Posted on 10/25/2011 12:50:28 PM PDT by troy McClure
This film is a must see, We saw it last night and it was one of the best films I have ever seen.
Cool. Thanks.
Tell us what it is about. What is the rating? (PG, PG-13, R)
I look forward to watching the film on cable. (I refuse to directly pay for anything involving Martin Sheen, an ostensible devout Catholic who supports Obama.)
Is it out on DVD yet?
I saw an interview this weekend with Emilio and his father.....I thought it looked like a good movie. At least the premise was interesting. Glad to know it’s worth the ticket.
Thanks! I’ve heard it was really good. Gotta see it.
You forgot to say what you had for dinner last night.
I would also recommend
“Courageous”
very, very good. Best I’ve seen in years.
The Camino de Santiago or the Way of St. James
The Camino de Santiago or the Way of St. James is a spiritual journey that pilgrims of all faiths and backgrounds have traversed for over a thousand years. The pilgrimage originally began at one’s doorstep, though modern trekkers today would find that rather difficult, particularly American pilgrims needing to cross the Atlantic. While there are a number of established routes leading to Santiago from all directions, the most popular is the Camino Frances, which crosses the Pyrenees Mountains along the Spanish-French border starting in St. Jean Pied de Port.
This Camino route covers 800 kilometers that traverses an idyllic northern Spanish countryside. By following the yellow painted arrows marking the road, a pilgrim can expect to walk 12-15 miles a day to reach the next town for the night. At this pace, a pilgrim can reach the Cathedral de Santiago in 6 to 8 weeks time to attend the Pilgrim’s Mass held at noon each day. Some take more time, others less. Some choose to travel by bike, and some have done the Camino on horseback. Along the way travelers encounter albergues, refugios and casa rurals that cater specifically to the thousands of pilgrims of all ages that take this journey each year, immersing themselves in the local food, culture and history dedicated to this experience.
Pilgrims walk the Camino for various reasons. Some to seek penance, others enlightenment, and still others for a sense of adventure, yet all progress toward the Cathedral in Santiago where it is believed the remains of the apostle St. James are held. Most pilgrims choose to carry a scallop shell with them to symbolize their journey in honor of St. James. According to legend, scallop shells are said the have covered St. James’ body after it was found on the shores of the Galician coast. Another, perhaps more useful symbol is a walking stick to aid a weary pilgrim on his or her journey. Most pilgrims also carry a document called the credencial, purchased for a few euros from a Spanish tourist agency, a church on the route or from their church back home. The credencial is a pass which gives access to inexpensive, sometimes free, overnight accommodation in refugios along the trail. Also known as the “pilgrim’s passport”, the credencial is stamped with the official St. James stamp of each town or refugio at which the pilgrim has stayed. It provides walking pilgrims with a record of where they ate or slept, but also serves as proof to the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago that the journey is accomplished according to an official route. The credencial is available at refugios, tourist offices, some local parish houses, and outside Spain, through the national St. James organisation of that country. The stamped credencial is also necessary if the pilgrim wants to obtain a compostela, a certificate of completion of the pilgrimage.
Regardless of whether a pilgrim’s journey begins for religious, spiritual or cultural reasons, the meditative nature of the Camino offers the perfect landscape in which to dedicate contemplation. Pilgrims follow the path amidst the villages, towns, rivers, mountains and fertile valleys that have changed the lives of millions of pilgrims who walked before them.
Why The Way
It had always been Martin’s dream to walk the Camino de Santiago. After having the privilege of holding Mother Theresa’s hand, sitting with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican, visiting the holy shrine at Lourdes, and making a film in Medugorje, his next wish regarding his faith was to visit the Cathedral de Santiago by way of its namesake pilgrimage. He was in the middle of his 7-year tenure playing U.S. president Jed Bartlett on the West Wing when he seized a tiny window of opportunity to realize his goal, at least in part.
After attending a family reunion in Ireland in the summer of 2003 that celebrated his mother’s lineage, he had a moment of inspiration. He convinced a few family members to fly to Spain in honor of his father’s heritage as well by touring the Way of St. James toward Galicia, his father’s homeland. Unfortunately, seven days was all Martin had before needing to return to work in Los Angeles. Knowing this wasn’t enough time to walk the Camino, he pushed forward presuming it was now or never.
Upon landing in Madrid, he rented a car with friends and family and set out on a northern path toward the nearest Camino town of Burgos to visit the famed Burgos Cathedral built in the 13th century. From there they hugged the Camino west as best as possible via major highways, detouring at important locations to walk a bit each day. By the end of their trip they arrived in time for the Pilgrim’s Mass at the Cathedral de Santiago. The beauty of the northern Spanish countryside proved too magical to experience in such a short period of time. Martin pledged to return one day soon for a proper pilgrimage toward Santiago.
On The Way
Through a series of ongoing conversations between Emilio and Martin, the two decided to create a tribute to Spain to rediscover the land where the Estevez family was rooted. The Camino de Santiago served as the perfect partner in their efforts. And while Spain serves as the backdrop, the film’s primary theme of self-discovery belongs to everyone from all ages and backgrounds, as does the Camino, which has helped transform the lives of millions of pilgrims for centuries.
In the film, a father unfortunately comes to understand his son’s life through his death and along the road finds himself as well. The main protagonist of the film is the conflict we each have within ourselves of choosing a life versus living a life. This greater question of finding oneself is a matter of acceptance and choice. Given the circumstances of our lives, how do we understand ourselves, our family and our friends, and the choices we make? Do we blindly go through life unaware of our actions and how they affect not only ourselves but others, as well? What role does our community, friendships and faith play in our decisions?
The Camino, by its nature, serves as the ultimate metaphor for life. Footsteps along a well-trodden path may be our guide, but do not shield us from the questions that most of our busy everyday lives prevent us at times from fully recognizing. The road offers very little to hide behind. The process of life is life along whichever road, path, Camino, or Way we find ourselves on. Our humanity toward ourselves and others, our history and our future is what defines us. Take the journey of life. Buen Camino!
Do you read your own tagline ?
Define cynicism for me.
I SO AGREE!
Saw it a few weeks ago, and not being a fan of Martin Sheen and his publicized antics, I was SO impressed with his role, and this beautiful, independent film, written and directed by his son, Emilio Estevez, who also has surprised me..
It’s compelling .. moving .. just embraces you with the story, the vistas, the scenery, the unfolding of the quirky single characters on the trail who join up with Sheen and become a cluster of buddies as the days on the trek go on, and the softly sent message of spirituality and yes .. God.
It’s BEAUTIFUL, heartwarming and SO uplifting, touching and inspiring! I URGE ALL TO SEE IT!
I have to say as a Hollywoodite, I was stunned to hear how
conservative and pro-life the Sheens are, and especially Emiliio is anti-Hollywood, and touching the way Emilio talks about his children. As he said: ‘when’s the last time you saw a rosary in a movie.’ No violence, sex, depravity .. just a simple human story, beautifully told, and it doesn’t hit you over the head with religion or faith or anything like that. It’s a very human story, in all its flaws and boils, but tenderly told, funny and unfolding in new awarenesses in the subjects.
They’ve been self-promoting it on a cross country bus trip ‘cause no studio would take and distribute it, so they’ve been doing it on their own. A college group from VA Tech asked them to come to the college for a screening. They did, and 4K kids saw it! So encouraging.
I pray more word gets out, as it’s SO worthwhile and special, and so hopeful for college and younger kids, who like to takes these backpacking, hiking trips (as is the central foundation of The Way).. and it’s right up their alley.
This is their interview with Raymond Arroyo on EWTN.
(scroll up to 12:09)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZxugibCl04
Also, their interview with Laura Ingraham
http://www.trn1.com/101411-laura-ingraham-martin-sheen-emilio-estevez-the-way
Do yourselves a favor for a couple of hours and SEE IT!
Troy .. SO glad you posted it to remind me of HOW much I loved it. I’d definitely see it again.
Charlie Sheen, Emilio E are sons of Martin Sheen...
All 3 are certifiable LIBERAL morons. What’s the summary of the movie and maybe, just maybe I’ll give it a shot.
My recommendation this week is The Mighty Macs. This movie is fun, inspirational, and deep too. This true story about a woman who signs on as the basketball coach at tiny Immaculata College in Penn.
The pay is ridiculous, there is no gym, no uniforms, no equipment, no travel allowance, zip, nada, zilch. Yet she manages to inspire them to go on to be the first National Women’s Basketball champions — for 3 years in a row. And she saves the college too. The movie is rated G, but don’t think for a minute that is is juvenile, or insipid. It is action packed. You’ll have to see it to find out what happens to those 3 teams. Be sure to stay all the way to the very end!
This is a movie for the whole family — from 6 to 96. Everyone will enjoy it and will be rooting for the Macs.
“I have to say as a Hollywoodite, I was stunned to hear how
conservative and pro-life the Sheens are, and especially Emiliio is anti-Hollywood, and touching the way Emilio talks about his children”
I’m not sold. Everytime lefties like the Sheens use Christianity, conservatives begin to think they are one of us.
YEARS BEFORE Passion of the Christ, I never got on the “Mel Gibson is as Christian as we Freepers” bandwagon. Now he’s lower than scum.
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