Documentary showing will raise funds for food pantry - Valley Breeze

Documentary showing will raise funds for food pantry - Valley Breeze

10/19/2016

NORTH SMITHFIELD – Later this month, the feature length documentary “Raising Matty Christian” will be shown at the Slatersville Congregational Church, UCC as a special fundraiser for the North Smithfield Food Pantry.

The movie will be shown on Friday, Oct. 28 at the Green Street church.

“Raising Matty Christian” is a film directed by Slatersville native Christian de Rezendes of Breaking Branches Pictures. De Rezendes is a member of the congregational church and is currently in production on the documentary “Slatersville: America’s First Mill Village.”

Winner of nine film festival awards throughout the U.S., this inspirational documentary profiles the life of Matthew G. Christian (1983-2009), known as ‘Matty’ from the town of Canton, Mass., who was born without a full set of arms and legs and without a tongue. As told through interviews with his parents, Allie and Jerry, brother Michael and several close friends and authority figures throughout his life, “Raising Matty Christian” paints a portrait of an inspiring young man who never took no for an answer and set out to live life to the fullest.

“It is a joy to share this story with my church,” said de Rezendes. “Matty’s story carries and an incredible message that we all need to stop, look at and deeply respect when most of us look at our own daily lives and the things we hold dear.” The film runs 84 minutes.

The Rev. Eileen Morris stated, “We are thankful to offer this amazing film as a fundraising opportunity for the North Smithfield Food Pantry. The Food Pantry provides food to 80 families monthly while also providing additional food baskets for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. This is an opportunity to learn about an exceptional young man while helping your neighbors in need. We look forward to seeing you at this event.”

Former Film Threat critic Phil Hall gave “Raising Matty Christian” five stars and called it, “One of the most profoundly moving nonfiction films I’ve ever seen… This film needs to be seen, talked up, cherished and honored.” Richard Propes, the “Independent Critic” of Indianapolis, wrote “There are film experiences that leave you thinking and feeling long after the closing credits have rolled. There are film experiences that turn you into a different human being than you were before you saw the film.” He added, “’Raising Matty Christian’ is just that type of film.”

Showtime is 7 p.m. at the Slatersville Congregational Church, UCC, 25 Green St. in Slatersville. Tickets are $10. To learn more about the film in the meantime, or to view its trailer, visit http://ift.tt/2euKkk7 .