Poveda (2016) Reviews

• Notable biographic movie well played , colorfully shot and with decent production design

  ma-cortes2017-09-12

  The film tells the story of Pedro Poveda (Raúl Escudero), in early twentieth century Spain until the Spanish Civil War . He was a teacher of the Christian life and of the relationship between faith and knowledge , convinced that Christians must bring essential values and commitment to building a world that is more just and mutually supportive . UNESCO recognized him in 1974 as "Educator and Humanist" and Pope John Paul II canonized him in 2003 . He began his evangelizing action in the caves of Guadix , he could not imagine the future development of his intuitions and projects . His time in Guadix had impressed Pedro with the need for education for the poor . As a tenacious and innovative priest collected funds for the Project , travelling through the province and to Madrid where he had good friends, and organized the St. Vincent De Paul Conferences . Convinced of the importance of education, he founded the Schools of the Sacred Heart for poor children . In 1905, due to difficulties with the acceptance of his socio- educational activities he was obliged by the bishop (Alejandro Arroyo) to abandon the work in the Caves of Guadix and at the age of thirty-two accepted an appointment as a canon of the Basilica of Covadonga, Asturias . Father Poveda was deeply aware of both the need for education in his country, and for qualified teachers (Elena Furiase, Lolita Flores' daughter) to provide it . He also saw this as an important role for women. In 1911 Pedro founded 1911 the St. Teresa of Avila Academy in Oviedo for those ladies studying to become teachers . When the Civil War broke out, he was identified as an enemy by those who wished to dechristianize the schools . The film focuses his mission to preach in Guadix in the early twentieth century to the Roma people who lived in the caves ; as he was to the caves in order to live closer to the people ; as he began Christian doctrine classes, then two schools for the children . The picture describes his efforts , fights and evangelizing throughout his life, these early ideas , these first projects , education and social advancement , acquiring different rootedness and developments . The flick narrates faithfully by means of flashbacks his ambitions , dreams , aims , and activities , seed sown on good ground has borne much fruit . Raúl Escudero gives a good as well as likable interpretation as Poveda , a tenacious and innovative priest who opens paths in the field of education and in the defense of the rights of women . His acting is full of vitality and enthusiasm . The motion picture was compellingly directed by Pablo Moreno who previously made other religious and though-provoking films as ¨Pablo De Tarso¨, ¨Alba¨, ¨Un Dios Prohibido¨ and his last one :¨Luz De Soledad¨ . This biographical drama film is based on historical events , these are the followings : It tells the story of Pedro Poveda (Linares, 1874 - Madrid, 1936), who opened new paths in education and pioneered the rights of women in the early twentieth century. He joined the Apostolic Union of Secular Priests in 1912, wrote on the need for more teachers, and opened teacher training centers. He returned to teaching at the seminary at Jaen, served as spiritual director of Los Operarios Catechetical Centre, and taught religion at the Teachers Training School.He began to published articles and pamphlets on the question of the professional formation of teachers. These constitute the beginning of what later on will become the Teresian Association. The Academies were an answer to the critical situation of the times. In Spain, at the end of the nineteenth century, 68% of men and 79% of women were illiterate . In 1921 he was transferred to Madrid and was appointed a chaplain of the Royal Palace. In 1922 he was appointed to the Central Board Against Illiteracy, and continued to work with the Teresian Association . When the Spanish Civil War broke out , he was identified as an enemy and at dawn, on July 28, 1936 a group of paramilitaries came to search his house. Fr. Pedro identified himself,"I am a priest of Christ". He was shot by firing squad for his faith and for the cause of Christian education. Father Poveda was sixty-one years old and his life ended with the crown of martyrdom . In 1974 he was awarded the title of "Educator and Humanist" by UNESCO and was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2003. St Pedro Poveda, grasping the importance of the role of education in society, undertook an important humanitarian and educational task among the marginalized and the needy.

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