Santa Fe: California Pictures and Cinevision Global Inc. are proud to announce the screening of “At the End of the Santa Fe Trail,” directed by award-winning filmmaker Tomas Sanchez, at the Festival De Cannes Marchė Du Film on May 20, 2023. The film is entered into the western, biopic, adventure category.

“At the End of the Santa Fe Trail” tells the true story of one of the most influential, courageous and iconic women in American history, Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Maria Rosa Segale, to be forever known as Sister Blandina.

Sister Blandina, played by New Mexico actress Alma Sisneros, was a young nun sent by the Catholic Church to the western territories in 1872. At a time when lawlessness and brutality were in the norm; surrounded by cowboys, Native Americans, outlaws, and new immigrants from all over the world, Sister Blandina displayed courage, tough-mindedness, an unyielding spirit and a deep and inspiring religious faith and belief that everyone deserves God’s mercy and charity.

In the June 2021 issue of The Catholic Telegraph, Patricia McGeever wrote, “Holy, heroic, brave and bold: all words that describe the Sister of Charity of Cincinnati who could become Cincinnati’s first saint, Servant of God Sister Blandina Segale.” The article goes on to recount her many achievements in the face of unbelievable challenges posed by life in the 1870s untamed West. “Sister Blandina oversaw the building of schools, hospitals and a convent. She stood up to human traffickers and for the oppressed. She negotiated with tradesmen and lawmakers. When her school needed a roof, she climbed up there and started the work herself and she helped a man with plastering when he had no crew. She tended to the sick and buried the dead. She convinced the legislature to provide funding for a hospital that cared for indigent patients. She taught school, cared for orphans and visited prisoners in jail.” Sister even treated one of Billy the Kid’s gang members when everyone else refused to offer care, securing her an offer of aid from the Kid himself.

The Most Reverend John C. Wester, Catholic Archbishop of Santa Fe, said, “She was indefatigable and indomitable. Nothing stood in her way when it came to serving the people of the Southwest whom she loved and cherished.”

“This is a story that must be told. At a time when we are faced with mass shootings on a daily basis, rising hate crimes and questions about our faith, Sister Blandina inspires us to rise above our fears and let the love in our hearts guide us,” Director Tomas Sanchez said.

Sanchez, fresh off receiving the honor of “Best Director Feature Film” at the 2023 Santa Fe Film Festival, has more than 35 years of experience in the Screen Actors Guild in stunts and acting. He is a true native New Mexican whose family has spent generations in historic Northern New Mexico. No one is more suited to capture the enduring relationships between the people, the culture, and the land. As a teen, he was introduced to the film industry in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His company, Sanchez Films, produced the award-winning short film “Lost Pueblo” (Amazon Prime) which Sanchez directed.

Written by Tomas Sanchez, Alfredo Castro and Robert Young, Frank Mayor producer with Cinevision Global Inc. and California Pictures, this film is destined to be an instant classic.

There is no doubt the Festival of Cannes screening will lead to many others across the globe as the story of Sister Blandina in “At the End of the Santa Fe Trail” brings a message of love and charity to all races, cultures, faiths, and nationalities showing us that we are one people.

Source: https://www.srcharitycinti.org/