Press Reaction
'From the West Wing to western Spain, Martin Sheen is inspirational - as are the landscapes along Europe's greatest walk'
THE INDEPENDENT
'A soulful and cinematic journey...profoundly touching'
EMPIRE ****
'The Way appeals to all religious faiths and to none because it concentrates on humanity...exemplary'
Catholic Times
'Gentle, heartfelt...The Way contains strong spiritual themes'
Christianity Magazine
'Sensitively portrayed and subtly captivating, the most recent family offering from veteran actors Emilio Estevez and his father, Martin Sheen, The Way is a spiritual journey for all the family'
Methodist Recorder
'Sheen dominates in a moving, soulful performance'
DAILY EXPRESS ****
'The perfect family film'
Daily Telegraph
Synopsis
Martin Sheen, plays Tom, an American doctor who comes to St. Jean Pied de Port, France to collect the remains of his adult son, killed in the Pyrenees in a storm while walking The Camino de Santiago, also known as The Way of Saint James.
Driven by his profound sadness and desire to understand his son better, Tom decides to embark on the historical pilgrimage, leaving his "California bubble life" behind.
Armed with his son's backpack and guidebook, Tom navigates the 800km historical pilgrimage from the French Pyrenees, to Santiago de Compostela in the north west of Spain, but soon discovers that he will not be alone on this journey.
While walking The Camino, Tom meets other pilgrims from around the world, all broken and looking for greater meaning in their lives: a Dutchman (Yorick van Wageningen) a Canadian (Deborah Kara Unger) and an Irish writer (James Nesbitt) who is suffering from a bout of "writer's block."
From the hardship experienced along 'The Way' this unlikely quartet of misfits create an everlasting bond and Tom begins to learn what it means to be a citizen of the world again, and discovers the difference between "The life we live and the life we choose."
'The Way' was filmed entirely in Spain and France along the actual Camino de Santiago.
Reactions from the first Premier Radio screening
On Wednesday 23rd February, Premier and Icon Film Distribution co-hosted a private screening of 'The Way' to an audience of some 200 people, including church leaders, and Christian and secular press, at the prestigious May Fair Hotel in London's West End. The assembled guests were joined by lead actor Martin Sheen and actor/director Emilio Estevez for an exclusive live stage interview and Q&A with the audience lasting 30 minutes. As the closing credits rolled, the audience burst into appreciative applause and then rose to a standing ovation as the actors entered the cinema. Here are just some of the reactions from members of the audience present:
"I was very glad to see the film, which was much better than I expected."
Christopher Howse, Daily Telegraph
"I commend Mr Sheen and Mr Estevez for daring to create something that Hollywood ultimately rejects, a very down to earth, natural and unembellished story. But this is why the story and the pilgrimage itself works so well - true inspiration, true pain and suffering, true scenery etc is much more hard hitting and much more compelling."
Flora Thompson, Editorial, Methodist Recorder
"The Way made me cry three times; once out of sadness, then joy and finally out of sheer awe. This is a must see for all Christians and they should take their friends."
David Payne, Director of Catholic Evangelisation Services
"It's great that film companies are now recognising the power of marketing films with spiritual theme to a Christian audience and teaming up with Premier Radio to do so. I thoroughly enjoyed the screening of The Way. The audience was diverse, representing the UK's different streams of Christianity. The film was thought provoking and reflective and it was fantastic that the audience had an opportunity to engage with and ask questions of its Hollywood Stars during the question and answer session after the film. I will definitely be mentioning the film in 'Keep The Faith', Britain's leading magazine about the black faith community here in the UK."
Marcia Dixon, Editor, Keep the Faith
"The Way is a joyful, uplifting and hugely enjoyable tribute to one of Europe's iconic journeys. It captures the Camino with integrity, and portrays brilliantly the gentle surgery, which the ancient pilgrim route performs on the human heart. Like the travellers in the film, the movie has a surface ambition, but its scope goes much wider and deeper. It is a film for everyone, which deserves to do well. It will certainly do good."
Austen Ivereigh, Coordinator, Catholic Voices
"I’d thought about taking part in the Camino de Santiago de Compostela as a friend of mine had completed it on two occasions. Watching this film, I felt as though I was really there, experiencing the beauty and the challenge of this unique pilgrimage. I loved the realism of the main characters and the inclusion of the true pilgrims; it took on an almost documentary style. I laughed and I cried and I deeply appreciated the restraint and the avoidance of ‘Hollywood’. I do hope they take up my suggestion of a sequel set in Ireland perhaps set at Croagh Patrick. I’d like to mention how excellent the soundtrack was and how it complemented the film."
Dana Scallon, Singer, Former MEP and Premier Christian Radio Presenter
"I really did enjoy the movie, it was moving and funny and the locations were just beautiful. Great cast too - a mix of familiar and unknowns (for me at least) that worked really well together."
Sophie Bradley, Media & PR Officer, CAFOD
There will be opportunity for all those in any form of church leadership and influence to preview 'The Way' before its release. Bookmark this page and keep coming back for more updates.
For Press & Media enquiries contact sharon.molloy@premier.org.uk.
For General enquiries and information on preview screenings contact luke.penwald@premier.org.uk.