BY THE GRACE OF GOD further illuminates world-wide abuse and cover-up crisis; opens Oct. 18 in New York and coming soon to select theaters nationwide

**Winner: 2019 Berlin International Film Festival, Silver Bear**

NEWS PROVIDED BY
Carmel Communications
Oct. 8, 2019

CHICAGO, Oct. 8, 2019 /Standard Newswire/ -- Clerical sex abuse has rocked the Catholic Church and left many Catholics feeling dismayed and angry, especially following allegations against Cardinal Theodore McCarrick that he sexually abused minors and adults, and the release of the Pennsylvania grand jury report. From Atlanta to Buffalo (where the Vatican has now authorized its own investigation), Nebraska to New Mexico and all parts west, state attorneys general are bringing to light what has been kept in secret.

Amidst the effort to bring forth transparency and accountability on the part of Church authority comes BY THE GRACE OF GOD, the gripping true story of three adult men, Alexandre (Melvil Poupaud), François (Denis Ménochet) and Emmanuel (Swann Arlaud), who banded together to expose the code of silence in the Catholic Church that continued to enable a priest who abused them as boys.

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/qFXLmhbJfXw.

For more information and to stay up-to-date on additional openings, please visit: https://www.musicboxfilms.com/film/by-the-grace-of-god/.

"I have watched many of the documentaries concerning the sex abuse crisis," said Janet Smith, Ph.D., who holds the Father Michael McGivney Chair of Life Ethics at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. "'By the Grace of God' captures extremely well the experience of those who have been abused by priests, the impact on their families, the inadequate way the Church responds and how the predators' view their own actions. The casting, acting and script are superb. This is the best feature film about the crisis since 'Spotlight' and deserves a wide viewing."

Alexandre (Melvil Poupaud) lives in Lyon, a bastion of the French Catholic bourgeoisie, with his wife and four children. A fervent church-goer, he learns that Father Preynat (Bernard Verley), the priest who abused him when he was a Boy Scout, is still working with children. He decides to take action, soon to be joined by two other victims of the priest, François (Denis Ménochet) and Emmanuel (Swann Arlaud). The three men will go to great lengths to denounce the perpetrator and the institution that has always protected him, a risky endeavor that will endanger the relationships with their loved ones, as well as compromise their own fragile selves.

Written and directed by François Ozon. Produced by Eric & Nicolas Altmeyer. Cinematography by Manu Dacosse. Production Design by Emmanuelle Duplay. Costume design by Pascaline Chavanne. Starring Melvil Poupaud, Denis Ménochet, Swann Arlaud, Eric Caravaca. A Music Box Films release.

For more information, please contact Kevin Wandra (404-788-1276 or KWandra@CarmelCommunications.com) of Carmel Communications.

About Music Box Films
Founded in 2007, Music Box Films is a North American distributor of acclaimed international American independent and documentary features, along with the best in international television. Music Box Films is independently owned and operated by the Southport Music Box Corporation, which also owns and operates The Music Box Theatre, Chicago's premiere venue for independent and foreign films. Its mission is to engage audiences with exciting alternatives to mainstream entertainment. www.MusicBoxFilms.com. 
 
SOURCE Carmel Communications

CONTACT: Kevin Wandra, 404-788-1276, KWandra@CarmelCommunications.com