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by Gregory Kennedy (Created by)
"Three Heroes of Peace use the "Revolutionary" 5 Powers to change the course of world history and inspire millions around the world."
The inspiring interconnected true story of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, Martin Luther King Jr, Sister Chan Khong, and Alfred Hassler.
The award-winning film and multi-lingual comics reveal how each one of us can use The 5 Powers of Faith, Diligence, Mindfulness, Concentration, and Insight to help end war, heal ourselves, and heal our planet.
The film and comics address timeless, yet contemporary issues, weaving powerfully illustrated comic book graphics, animation, historic documents, and modern film footage into an entertaining, inspiring, heart-touching story.
Through the experiences of the film's protagonists; Alfred Hassler, an American anti-war hero, Vietnamese peace activists, and Zen Masters Thich Nhat Hanh, whom Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967, and Sister Chan Khong the audience is confronted with a variety of challenging and complex human rights issues. Nonviolent resistance, conscientious objection, self-immolation, loss, suffering, unwavering compassion, and hope.
One of the film and comics' big surprises is the largely unknown comic book created by Alfred Hassler that turned Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr, into a Superhero.
First published in December 1957 by Alfred Hassler and the Fellowship of Reconciliation, it went largely unnoticed by the mainstream comic book industry, but spread like wildfire among civil rights groups, churches, and schools, helping to mobilize a generation to join the global fight for equality - nonviolently.
The idea itself was groundbreaking. Rarely does one think of a comic book as an important tool in the struggle for civil rights, but this comic book has been quietly changing the course of history around the world for over 65 years.
The 5 Powers narrative looks at Alfred Hassler's life through the eyes of Vietnamese Buddhism and portrays him as an American Bodhisattva-an enlightened heroic figure, committed to exercising compassion for all living beings. His journey forms the archetypical origin story of our hero, exemplified by shared episodes from the true accounts of the lives of Thich Nhat Hanh, Sister Chan Khong, and Hassler himself.
The formative experiences of these characters, as they meet and collaborate in the turbulent 1960s, alongside famous historic figures like Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Buddhist leader Thich Tri Quang, are framed within scenes at Hassler's bedside, as his condition worsens in the hours before his death in June of 1991: A scene which causes the audience to reflect on their loved ones who were also facing death.
Viewers will also be surprised to learn that in 1970, Thich Nhat Hanh and Alfred Hassler initiated the first large international meeting on the environment called Dai Dong, or "Great Togetherness."
Dai Dong was a groundbreaking environmental initiative that brought scientists, academics, and peace activists together, linking the issues of war, environmental problems, and poverty. The initiative produced The "Menton Statement", which was signed by more than 5,000 scientists from around the world.
The film uses the dramaturgical structure of a classic documentary, woven together with comic book animation, its narrative unfolding through recurring symbols and themes pertinent to the principles and ideals of its heroes.
