‘The Human Experience’
coming soon to Harkins Theatres

“The Human Experience” — an award-winning documentary about the poor and suffering in different parts of the world — will open April 9 at select Harkins Theatres.

In the movie, a self-proclaimed “band of brothers” sets off to encounter humanity among the homeless in New York City, the Lost Children in the jungle of Lima, Peru, and in a reclusive leper colony in Ghana, Africa.

“We wanted to make a film that was really going to emphasize the beauty of life,” said Michael Campo, a writer and co-producer with Grassroots Films, the Catholic filmmakers who made the documentary.

“We wanted to give people who were less fortunate than us a platform to tell their story,” he said.

The movie focuses on the personal experiences of the four young men from Brooklyn, including Campo, who value all that human beings share.

Throughout the filming, Campo was particularly struck by the joy that those living in poverty possessed.

The poor they encounter in the film “may not have the latest iPod or cell phone or any of things that we value here in America, but they do have something that sometimes we don’t have, and that’s the understanding of the importance of four core values,” he said. These core values — faith, hope, love and family — permeate every scene.

“They know that every day, when they wake up in the morning, the reason that they’re waking up is because God has a purpose for them that day,” he said. While Campo maintains “The Human Experience” is a film all people can connect with, the awareness of God makes the documentary particularly valuable for Catholics.

“Through this film you have the opportunity to visit Jesus in a way I don’t think any other film has done,” Campo said. “If you really want to see who Christ is and really want to know about the Gospel, see ‘The Human Experience.’”

Campo is hoping audiences pack theaters to see the documentary during its limited appearance in Phoenix Harkins Theatres this month. A strong reception in Phoenix could open the door to showings in other cities across the United States.

Bryan Laurel, the director of marketing for Harkins Theatres, is encouraging supporters to see what he calls “a unique and powerful film” within the first three days of its opening. Those box-office numbers influence the length of the film’s run.

“This movie will lift your spirits and open your eyes to the beauty of life in the most unexpected places,” Laurel said. “Our hope is that families, friends, youth groups and schools will coordinate seeing ‘The Human Experience’ on opening weekend to give the film a spectacular first weekend, which is crucial.”

Campo and the rest of the crew at Grassroots Films are promoting the documentary around the country and the world. Although the production company has made Catholic films in the past, this film is intended to reach all audiences.

“‘The Human Experience’ is talking about a universal issue,” Campo said. “It doesn’t matter what your background is or what you believe. The issue at hand in ‘The Human Experience’ is life being a gift.”