By Diana Sai Farias
Special to The Catholic Voice

"For Greater Glory, the True Story of Cristiada" is a new film produced by Pablo Jose Barroso, based on historical accounts of the Mexico Cristero War of 1926-29.

The plot focuses on the Mexican government's persecution of the Catholic Church during that time and the response of Catholic civilians, which developed into organized demonstrations and uprisings. Thousands of Mexican men and women were seized and killed or died because they chose to engage in the war, sacrificing their lives for religious freedom.

This production leans toward documentary filmmaking in its detailed depictions of the Christ-like sufferings of the Cisteros Mexican Martyrs, beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2000. The fact that it was shot at historic locations throughout Mexico with actors of Mexican or South American descent also contributes to its authenticity. Looking beyond the brutal battles, the inner turmoil was palpable in the soldiers, their families and the priests as they tried to be faithful and to support what was right. The political struggle eventually gave way to intervention by U.S. and European nations, a catalyst toward the subsequent restoration of peace in Mexico.

A diocesan sponsored preview of this film, for parish and ministry leaders, was shown in Pleasant Hill on April 18. The obvious connection for viewers was the similarity of Mexico's attacks on religious freedom 90 years ago to the imposition on religious freedom occurring in our county-today: the federal contraceptive and abortion insurance mandate.

Familiar faces in this movie are Eduardo Verastegui, from "Bella" and Andy Garcia from "Ocean's Eleven."

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