A heart-wrenching new movie recounts the beheadings 10 years in the past this week of 21 Coptic Christians by the hands of ISIS Islamic radicals.
And but the movie, merely titled “The 21,” additionally tells the poignant story of the martyrs’ unbelievable religion, how they have been diligent to the top — and by no means as soon as denied their Savior even unto dying.
Producer Mandi Hart stated, “I do not know that I will ever recover from imagining, in the middle of 40-some-odd days of captivity, what number of nanoseconds of alternative they needed to save their very own lives. And to a person, all 21 of them have been true to the top.”
JOHN SCHNEIDER OF ‘DUKES OF HAZZARD’ FAME STANDS STRONG IN FAITH: ‘GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING’
Hart and the group at MORE Productions offered the 13-minute movie on the Worldwide Non secular Freedom Summit in Washington, D.C., final week. It was a jolting reminder of how the occasions of Feb. 15, 2015, shocked the world — one, for the sheer horror of its staging, and two, as a result of the Islamic radicals filmed the brutal slayings.
As a technique to soften the horror and improve the spirit of hope, “The 21” tells the story via animation — intercut with precise ISIS propaganda footage.
Ten years in the past this week, ISIS radicals beheaded 21 Coptic Christians. A brand new movie with animation tells the story of the boys’s compelling depths of religion. (AP)
But it surely’s the imagery of the animation that provides it higher impression. The animation is within the type of Orthodox iconography — the work of the saints and of Jesus that adorn the iconostas, the screens in entrance of the altar, on the nave, the sanctuary and the dome of each Orthodox church on the earth.
Hart stated, “We knew that we wished a venture that will mirror the cultural distinctiveness of the Coptic custom, significantly its iconography.”
She known as out its “perform,” in addition to its structure and neighborhood — and “the symbolism, colours, shapes and the way in which that iconography was really all about creating an icon.”
“The truth that all of them have been true to the top is simply exceptional.”
On a latest episode of “Lighthouse Religion” podcast, producer Mandi Hart spoke extra concerning the making of “The 21” — and the transformative energy of studying about what these males endured for his or her religion.
TRUMP FRIEND AND INFORMAL FAITH ADVISER: ‘GOD IS GIVING AMERICA ANOTHER CHANCE’
They have been easy laborers from Egypt, working in Libya, when ISIS members kidnapped them and demanded they denounce their religion in Jesus Christ, the one situation to safe their freedom.
The boys refused. For a month and a half, the boys have been tortured and abused. Then they have been put in orange jumpsuits and paraded to a sandy hill the place masked, knife-wielding radicals lined them up and took their lives.
The terrorists hoped that “not less than one of many males” would recant — would save himself by “denying Christ,” stated the producer of the brand new movie, “The 21.” “None of them did.” (iStock)
Hart stated essentially the most barbarous a part of the story is definitely not within the new movie.
“They have been really beheaded one after the other,” she stated. “And ISIS did that, hoping that … being killed in that grotesque manner would persuade not less than one of many males to recant, to save lots of themselves by denying Christ. And none of them did. And truly one of many males requested to be the final one.”
“It’s one factor to speak about faithfulness. It’s one other to see it demonstrated in shut up.”
Hart added with emotion, “There are not any phrases [about] the depth of [their] religion. And it has been extraordinarily difficult and convicting personally, too. I can not think about myself in that place — and the truth that all of them have been true to the top is simply exceptional.”
Hart purposely didn’t view the ISIS footage of the beheadings. It was simply an excessive amount of to take. However director Tod Polson did.
FAITH IS IMPORTANT TO NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL COACH AND CATHOLIC CONVERT: ‘NOT SHY ABOUT IT’
He advised Fox Information, “The unique video made by ISIS is surreal. I’ve solely seen it as soon as however …[it is] endlessly burned into my reminiscence. It’s as heartbreaking as it’s inspiring. Inspiring as a result of the sacrifice of the martyrs is so whole. It’s one factor to speak about their faithfulness. It’s one other to see it demonstrated in shut up.”
Polson additionally stated, “Lots of the martyrs’ households play the unique ISIS video of their properties on a loop. One of many complaints they’ve is that ‘The 21’ isn’t violent sufficient. They need folks outdoors their neighborhood to know what their males went via.”
A fighter of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also called ISIS) holds a flag and a weapon on a road within the metropolis of Mosul, June 23, 2014. (Reuters Photograph)
ISIS filmed their abomination for the aim of propaganda and energy, believing they’d usher in a brand new caliphate for the glory of Islam.
However transcripts from interviews of ISIS members carried out by authorities revealed that there have been different supernatural powers additionally at work on that sandy hill.
That is new data.
On that sandy seaside a decade in the past, these males could have witnessed God’s holy military.
Stated Hart, “Within the interviews with the previous ISIS members, one particularly talks about earthquakes. He talks about shadowy figures being seen and among the figures bearing swords, others wearing sure methods accompanying the martyrs, significantly when the martyrs have been on the seaside.”
BIBLE-BELIEVING CHRISTIANS WERE KEY TO TRUMP’S VICTORY, SAYS AMERICAN FAITH LEADER
The movie depicts these supernatural occurrences.
The shadowy figures seem as angels of sunshine, maybe even Jesus Himself.
Experiences are that one of many radicals (not pictured) got here to religion and was baptized. He stays in hiding, based on the movie’s producer. (iStock)
On that sandy seaside a decade in the past, these males could have witnessed God’s holy military and the forces of Devil of their historical battle.
And not less than one member of ISIS was shaken to the core.
Hart stated one ISIS member was so terrified by what he noticed that he fled. Experiences are that he got here to religion and was baptized. He stays in hiding, based on Hart.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
The bigger story has been the show of the depths of religion of the whole Coptic neighborhood. “Coptic” means Egyptian. The Coptic are one of many unique Christian Orthodox church buildings.
For two,000 years, they have been a persecuted church.
For extra Life-style articles, go to www.foxnews.com/life-style
And a few students, stated Hart, assume they’ve had thousands and thousands of martyrs over the course of their historical past, previous and current.
The 21 martyrs requested that Jesus forgive their killers — simply as Jesus stated, whereas being crucified, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
The 21 martyrs requested that Jesus forgive their killers — simply as Jesus stated, whereas being crucified, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (iStock)
At a time when it’s extra acceptable to publicly profane the title of Jesus than to reward Him, the movie exhibits the ability of that title — and the way the boys relied on it for energy, for hope.
Hart mirrored on the higher good that got here out of such evil.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
She stated the Coptic archbishop of London, Archbishop Angaelos, advised her to consider when that former ISIS member who turned a believer dies.
These 21 Coptic males will welcome him into heaven as their brother — as solely in Christ can natural-born enemies change into one folks.
