The Cathedral
(The Cathedral )
Denis Dobrovoda | Documentary
2022 | 87 minutes | Spain, Slovakia
After expulsion from a monastery, a Spanish monk dedicates 60 years to building a cathedral from discarded and recycled materials. Madman or a genius?
Synopsis
Expelled from his monastery for not fitting in, a Spanish monk named Justo Gallego returns home, discouraged but driven. At 36, he embarks on an improbable mission: to build a grand cathedral entirely by hand, despite having no architectural expertise. For over 60 years, with little assistance and using only recycled materials and scrap, Justo dedicates his life to this monumental project, often viewed as illegal and eccentric by his community.
Though many see him as a madman, others regard him as a visionary. His unwavering devotion transforms his dream into a reality, making the unfinished Cathedral of Faith a symbol of human resilience and faith. Justo’s story raises profound questions about the meaning of life and personal purpose, resonating deeply with those who witness his tireless effort.
Reviews
"For nearly 60 years, a former monk toiled almost single-handedly on an extraordinary building outside Madrid. Is it a folly or a masterpiece?" — The Guardian
"Justo Gallego is a wonder for the whole world. Is he a madman and a fanatic, or an incredible example of the strength of human faith?" — SME Culture
"Kevin McCloud in Great Designs has never seen anything like it! And neither have you." — Interia Film
"Incredible and astounding at the same time." — FM Zine
Citation
Main credits
Dobrovoda, Denis (film director)
Dobrovoda, Denis (film producer)
Bremner, Matthew (film producer)
Bremner, Matthew (screenwriter)
Hernández-Vallejo Fernández, Gonzalo (film producer)
Gallego, Justo (on-screen participant)
Other credits
Cinematography, Gonzalo Hernández-Vallejo Fernández, Israel Seoane, Diego Trenas; editing, Ona Bartrolí, Denis Dobrovoda; music, Thomas Ross Fitzsimons.
Citation
Cataloging
Pragda subjects
Biography
Environment + Sustainability
Health + Aging
Iberian Studies
Mental Health
Religion + Spirituality
Sociology
Urban Studies
Visual Arts
Keywords
Clips
Festivals
Krakow Film Festival - Golden Horn for the Best Film in the International Competition; Cinematik International Film Festival - Audience Award; EBS International Documentary Festival - Jury Prize; IGRIC Award for Best Documentary; FIFAAC International Festival of Architecture and Constructive Adventures - Grand Prix for Best Film, Mention Archis-V Jury, Grand Prix of the Student Jury; PÖFF Tallinn Black Nights; FIPADOC International Documentary Festival; Transylvania International Film Festival; Budapest International Documentary Film Festival; Zagrebdox; IDSFFK Kerala International Documentary Film Festival; One World International Film Festival; Film Festival Architexture; Festival of Devotional Cinema
DIRECTOR: Denis Dobrovoda
NATIONALITY: Spain, Slovakia
YEAR: 2022
GENRE: Documentary
LANGUAGE: Spanish
COLOR / B&W: Color
GRADE LEVEL: Middle School, High School, College, Adult
SUBTITLE/CC: AVAILABLE
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: NOT AVAILABLE
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