The Power of Forgiveness

Featuring Thich Nhat Hanh, Elie Wiesel and others

The POWER of FORGIVENESS is a dramatic documentary film from Journey Films that takes an honest look at the intensity of anger and grief that human nature is heir to. It is a collection of seven short stories that profile some of the most dramatic transgressions imaginable along with stories that feel more familiar and manageable to the viewer. It explores the role forgiveness holds in various faith traditions and examines how the scientific community is now measuring the physical and mental benefits of letting go of grief and resentment.

The film has aired in primetime on most PBS stations. It was also the centerpiece of special events at the United Nations and at Virginia Tech following the tragedy there.

The POWER of FORGIVENESS includes interviews with renowned Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, Nobel Peace Laureate Elie Wiesel on forgiveness in the Jewish tradition, best-selling authors Thomas Moore and Marianne Williamson, and others. It also includes feature stories on the Amish, the 9/11 tragedy and peace-building in Northern Ireland.

“The word ‘forgiveness’ may be the most provocative word in our culture today,” says filmmaker Martin Doblmeier, who led events with the film in more than 50 cities. “There is an underlying anger in our country that we see regularly in our movies, in the news, even on our highways. For some, that anger is acceptable while others are calling for a new direction in our thinking and the way we interact with others. Forgiveness proves itself not only to be good for our health, but it offers a solid first step in that new direction.”

THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS is a presentation of South Carolina ETV. Major funding was provided by The Fetzer Institute and by The John Templeton Foundation.