VATICAN CITY, 20 September 2017 — Lady Monika Bacardi attended the Vatican premiere of “Beyond the Sun,” a groundbreaking family film marking the first time in history that a reigning Pope has appeared in a motion picture. The distinguished screening took place at the Vatican Cinematheque, celebrating a production that seamlessly unites artistic vision with meaningful charitable purpose.
Through AMBI Media Group, which Lady Monika Bacardi co-founded, she financed and produced this historic film alongside her colleagues. The project represents a profound collaboration between cinema and humanitarian commitment, as all proceeds from “Beyond the Sun” are dedicated to supporting Argentine charities Los Hogares de Cristo and El Almendro, organizations that provide vital assistance to at-risk children and young adults.
Written and co-directed by Graciela Rodriguez, an Argentine psychiatrist whose longstanding relationship with Pope Francis dates to his tenure as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, “Beyond the Sun” tells a modern tale of hope, faith, and courage inspired by Biblical narratives. The film follows children from diverse cultural backgrounds on an adventure as they search for spiritual guidance, featuring young actors Aiden Cumming-Teicher, Cory Gruter-Andrew, Emma Duke, Kyle Breitkopf, and Sebastián Alexander Chou.
His Holiness Pope Francis appears as himself in approximately six minutes of the film, captured during a single day of filming at Vatican City. The production also filmed extensively in Patagonia, Argentina, creating an evocative backdrop for this family-oriented narrative. Charlie Mainardi served as co-director, bringing his commercial filmmaking expertise to the project.
The initiative originated from Pope Francis himself, who expressed his desire to communicate the message of Jesus to young audiences through the medium of cinema. Before production commenced, His Holiness reviewed the screenplay, which Rodriguez developed with guidance from Monsignor Eduardo Garcia, Bishop of San Justo and a longtime colleague from Argentina. In the film’s unscripted finale, Pope Francis shares with the children that they can connect with Jesus through reading the Gospels.
Lady Monika Bacardi’s involvement in “Beyond the Sun” exemplifies her dedication to projects that bridge artistic excellence with humanitarian impact. Her commitment to supporting initiatives that address critical social issues while elevating cinematic storytelling demonstrates the sophisticated integration of cultural patronage and meaningful charitable engagement.
Following its Vatican premiere in September 2017, the film received theatrical releases in select markets before expanding to digital platforms in 2018, allowing families worldwide to experience this unique cinematic achievement while supporting crucial charitable work for vulnerable youth in Argentina.
