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Produced, Written and Directed
by Gerard Thomas Straub
Co-Produced and Edited by Chad O. MochrieA note from the Director
The Narrow Path is a bold, challenging and different film for filmmaker Gerry Straub and his San Damiano Foundation. Their motto is “Putting the Power of Film at the Service of the Poor.” But you will not see any images of extreme poverty, though the images of Hiroshima and Nagasaki after their destruction are graphic. The message and supporting visuals are focused on prophetic Christian call to be peacemakers in a nation whose policies are often in direct contrast with this biblical mandate. From his own hermitage in New Mexico as well as in his retreats and lectures and interview statements in the midst of his peace demonstrations, Father John Dear, SJ, presents and interprets the words and witness of the nonviolent Jesus in the midst of escalating violence around the world. |
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John's statements expressing his deeply held and courageously lived out religious convictions, as well as equally compelling statements from other Christian peacemakers like Martin Luther King, Jr, Thomas Merton, Dorothy Day, plus some of the more political visuals disturb and challenge viewers at many levels. John makes us hear and see what we would rather not. This film engages us emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, and behaviorally. It invites us to feel and empathize more broadly, to think more critically, to pray more faithfully, and to act more courageously. His personal witness is as inspiring as it is troubling.
A Note From the Filmmaker, Gerry Straub
“For me, there was only one person to address the explosive topic of peace and nonviolence – John Dear, SJ. Father Dear is a celebrated peace activist and the author of over 20 books. His life story has been a journey into the radical message of the Gospel and Jesus’ instruction to love our enemies. Following in the footsteps of the great apostles of nonviolence, John Dear, who has been arrested and imprisoned over 75 times, crisscrosses the country and the world tirelessly preaching the message of the nonviolent Jesus. Sadly, this film will upset and disturb many people. But the Gospel is disturbing, if you take it seriously. Making this film changed the lives of those who made, and I pray it changes the lives of many who watch it.”
A Note about the Filmmaker, Gerry Straub
As the result of his life-changing encounter with the spirit of Francis of Assisi in 1995, Gerry Straub left a profitable and successful career as a producer of Hollywood soap operas for a radically different vocation. He spent months living with the poor all over the world, so that he could capture their faces and share their stories to all who would open their eyes, ears, and hearts to see, listen, and be converted. His radical conversion reveals the radical message and witness of Jesus. Gerry challenges us to join him in following this Jesus who is to be found in the lives of God’s special people, the poor and marginalized of this world.
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