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

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Keywords
The Cathedral,Denis Dobrovoda,Matthew Bremner,Justo Gallego,Ángel López Sánchez,architecture,Catedral de Justo,Mejorada del Campo,Madrid,Spain,religion,catholic,spirituality,architecture,self-taught person,autodidact,religion,spirituality,organized religion,soul,spiritual beliefs,religious beliefs,belief systems,branches of religion,religious sects,sects,gods and goddesses,monotheism,theism,pantheism,polytheism,spiritual awakening,visual arts,painting,drawing,printmaking,filmmaking,craft,crafts,architecture,ceramics,photography,video,videomaking,film,conceptual art,installation art,art exhibits,artmaking,photos,videography,sculpting,sculpture,theatre,theater,music,musicmaking,music performance,art styles,art history,plastic arts,fine art,fine arts,visual arts centers,visual arts education,jewelry,jewelrymaking,beaux arts,graphic arts,graphic design,abstract art,art galleries,art gallerist,galleries,gallery,gallerist,gallerists,illustration,biography,autobiography,biopic,memoir,life history,bio,biographer,biographical,personal account,personal history,diary,personal narrative,sketch,profile,personal letters,letters,journal,personal record,iberian studies,iberian peninsula,mediterranean,andorra,spain,portugal,andorra studies,spanish studies,portuguese studies,health,healthy,physical health,mental health,emotional health,health equity,public health,health care,health policy,fitness,veracity,welfare,soundness,aging,age,old age,senior,youth,middle age,aging gracefully,advanced age,collective health,maturity,urban studies,urbanism,community development,communities,urbanization,civic centers,satellite cities,residential areas,gentrification,barrioization,boomtown,bedroom communities,city block,city center,community displacement,white flight,walkability,zoning,housing,incorporated areas,unincorporated areas,suburbs,exurbs,inner cities,inner city,conservation ,environment,environmental,environmentalism,climate,climate change,global warming,habitat,ecosystem,ecology,eco,earth,planet,water,sustainable,sustainability,deforestation,agriculture,green,green economy,mental illness,therapy,trauma,behavioral health,mental disability,psychology,psychiatry,social work,wellbeing,counselor,diagnosis,mentally disabled,mental incapacitation,mentally defective,mental handicap,mental defective,psychotic break,psychosis,psychoses,mentally sound,questionable mental health,sociology,anthropology,psychology,sociological,sociological perspectives,conflict theory,human conflicts,sociological thinking,conflict perspective,topics in sociology,sociology topics,sociology studies,social studies,people and cultures,human relations,human relationships,cultural studies,culture studies ; "The Cathedral"; Pragda Films
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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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