Spanish with English subtitles
With Justo Gallego, Ángel López Sánchez, Eduardo Pérez Díaz, Carlos Romano Silveira, Raquel Melero Díaz, Lucía Moncada Bernabé, Félix Muñoz, José María Sendarrubia, Juan Carlos Arroyo Portero, José Manuel Castellanos Rivera, Padre Ángel García Rodríguez, Fran Martínez, Ramón Flores, Carlos Luis Martín, Félix Pérez Adán, Carlos Martínez García, Christian Domínguez, Piedad Vargas Soria, Celia Benito Quislant, Manuel Bueno, Jorge Capa, Ángel Meriano, Jesús Jiménez Cañas, Jesús Javier Mora, Miguel Vizcaino
Expelled from his monastery for not fitting in, a Spanish monk named Justo Gallego returns home, discouraged but driven. At 36, he embarks on an improbable mission: to build a grand cathedral entirely by hand, despite having no architectural expertise. For over 60 years, with little assistance and using only recycled materials and scrap, Justo dedicates his life to this monumental project, often viewed as illegal and eccentric by his community.
Though many see him as a madman, others regard him as a visionary. His unwavering devotion transforms his dream into a reality, making the unfinished Cathedral of Faith a symbol of human resilience and faith. Justo’s story raises profound questions about the meaning of life and personal purpose, resonating deeply with those who witness his tireless effort.
Press
“For nearly 60 years, a former monk toiled almost single-handedly on an extraordinary building outside Madrid. Is it a folly or a masterpiece?” – The Guardian
“Justo Gallego is a wonder for the whole world. Is he a madman and a fanatic, or an incredible example of the strength of human faith?” – SME Culture
“Kevin McCloud in Great Designs has never seen anything like it! And neither have you.” – Interia Film
“Incredible and astounding at the same time.” – FM Zine
Notes on Film
“In 2018, Matthew discovered the story of Justo Gallego, a 92-year-old ex-monk building an illegal cathedral in a small town in Spain. Although Justo had been featured in the media before, none of the accounts went beyond a few superficial sentences. Matthew decided to write the first in-depth account of Justo’s story and invited me along as a photographer. Justo and his caretaker, Ángel, agreed to let us document the project, but only if we participated in the construction. We spent a week in Mejorada del Campo, working with Justo and witnessing his astonishing dedication despite his frailty.
The experience was deeply moving, and we returned a few months later with the goal of capturing Justo’s efforts on film and interviewing people who knew him. We knew that, aside from a few short films and TV reports, there was no documentary covering his entire journey. Initially, we weren’t sure if we could create more than a short piece, but the depth of Justo’s story clearly had potential for a feature-length documentary.
By the time we started filming, Justo’s health had deteriorated, and he could no longer work on the cathedral. Yet, he remained there every day, planning its completion. Between 2018 and 2020, we recorded interviews and footage of Justo, realizing that we had gathered enough material to turn the project into a full documentary. We began working on a rough cut while searching for archival footage. We were still self-funding the project and working with friends.
In 2021, we had several breakthroughs, including securing a prestigious American grant and discovering a wealth of archival material from home videos, student films, and TV reports. With all this material, it became clear that our documentary could be the definitive account of Justo’s life and his monumental construction.
Over the next two years, we simultaneously filmed and edited, crafting the most intimate portrait of Justo Gallego possible. For me, making this documentary was life-changing, both professionally and personally. Justo was a unique individual, and his life makes us reflect on the fundamental questions about the meaning of life and what we choose to do with it. It is this existential dimension of his story that forms the core of the film.”
– Denis Dobrovoda, Director
