The fascinating story of a little-known religious sister is making big gains across box offices in Spain.
-'The Lord has revealed to me that it is His will to found a new congregation. You will be the Mothers of the Forsaken.'
The film centers on Ana, a young Andalusian woman who changes her name to Petra and leaves everything to found a congregation dedicated to the most marginalized in her city.
-'What can you tell me about your founder?'
-'She is a great woman, who spares no sacrifice in her eagerness to serve our Lord Jesus Christ and the poor and helpless of this world.'
MARIAN ARAHUETES
Actress, 'Petra de San José'
'For me, the most remarkable thing about Petra and what most touched me was her tenacity, her desire to want to do things well and to fight for what she wanted. It seems to me a wonderful attitude towards life. She had a lot of faith in life, and in that everything was going to turn out well.'
One of the motivations behind making the film for producer Andrés Garrigó was Petra's great devotion to St. Joseph.
ANDRÉS GARRIGÓ
Producer, 'Petra de San José'.
'Another element of the film is that St. Joseph is not a historical being, but a living being who is continuously doing us favors.'
-'Tell me what you're becoming, because it's still not clear to me who you are.'
-'My face says who I am.'
The film was shot in Salamanca, Spain.
Its lead actress was not originally familiar with Petra's story, but says it left her stunned after filming.
MARIAN ARAHUETES
Actress, 'Petra de San José'.
'What I have learned and what I take from her is her love for others and the humanity and solidarity she had when it came to doing things. She lived by and for others.'
The film has only been released in Spain so far, but its producers hope to make the leap to other markets and release the English version as soon as possible.
BA
TR: JM
