Uncategorized | December 29, 2008
In November, Filmmaker Magazine reported that “They Killed Sister Dorothy,” a film by Daniel Junge, who grew up in Cheyenne, has been named to the shortlist of 15 titles in the best documentary category for the Academy Awards. The five finalists will be announced Jan. 22 and the awards show will air on Feb. 22. Dan now lives and works in Denver.
The documentary (view trailer below) was shown at the Starz Denver Film Festival last month and was the Grand Jury Winner at the 2008 South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas. It’s narrated by actor and Catholic activist Martin Sheen.
The film explores the death of Roman Catholic Sister Dorothy Stang in February 2005 in a public rainforest in Brazil that was sought for timber cutting and cattle grazing. It has raised new questions about the involvement of rancher Regivaldo Galvao in the murder.
According to an article in the 12/28/08 Denver Post:
“She [Stang] had contended the rainforest was protected federal land. She was shot six times at close range, including three times in the face, on a muddy roadside.”
On Sunday, prosecutors in Brazil said they would charge rancher Regivaldo Galvao in the conspiracy to kill the nun.
“Brazil is very aware that Dorothy has been recognized by the world community,” Sister Dorothy’s 71-year-old brother, David Stang of Palmer Lake, Colo., said Sunday. “This has to be very embarrassing.”
Her death has brought international attention to the violent struggle between peasants and wealthy ranchers in the endangered rainforest, where she had lived for 30 years.
The Wyoming Arts Council believes that experiencing the arts should be accessible for all, including people with mental and/or physical disabilities, older adults, military/veterans, people living in institutions and those who lack access to the arts due to geographic isolation, cultural difference and economic hardship.
