7 pm
Tom, an irascible American doctor, comes to France to deal with the tragic loss of his son. Rather than return home, he decides to embark on the historical pilgrimage El Camino de Santiago (“The Way of Saint James”) to honor his son’s desire to finish the journey. What Tom doesn’t plan on is the profound impact this trip will have on him, as, through unexpected and oftentimes amusing experiences along “The Way,” he discovers the difference between “the life we live and the life we choose.” Written and directed by Emilio Estevez and starring his father, Martin Sheen, The Way was filmed entirely in France and Spain along El Camino de Santiago. Presented in partnership with Instituto Cervantes as part of the Bank of America Free Thursday Film Series.
2010; Emilio Estevez; English; 123 minutes; rated PG-13.
Free ticketed event; tickets available one hour before show
The Camino de Santiago (“Way of St. James”) is a large network of ancient pilgrimage routes that stretch across Europe and come together at the tomb of the apostle St. James (Santiago) in Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain. Since the beginning of the 9th century, when the tomb was discovered, Santiago de Compostela has been a pan-European place of peregrination. The city’s Old Town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, and the European Union declared the Camino de Santiago to be the first European Cultural Itinerary in 1987. According to Catholic tradition, completing a pilgrimage on the Camino, some 500 miles along the major routes, assures forgiveness of one’s sins. The walk now attracts people of all faiths and backgrounds, and over 200,000 contemporary pilgrims embark on the journey each year.
The April films, as well as the first May film, in the Bank of America Free Thursday Film Series, presented in partnership with Instituto Cervantes and the Spanish Resource Center, have been selected for their insights into different elements of the Way, capturing the spiritual significance and the rich history of this iconic pilgrimage.