The 21

Intensely visceral and captivating. From the TRUE story to the art, 21 Martyrs is an animated retelling of the remarkable sacrifice of 21 Coptic Christians in Libya. The film doesn't shy away from the weight of their story, weaving it with depictions of supernatural moments reported by eyewitnesses such as the presence of angels and other extraordinary events.

The animation is stunning, capturing both the starkness of their final days and the awe-inspiring sense of something greater at work. There's a balance between the raw reality of their ordeal and a reverence for the spiritual elements that many believe surrounded this tragic event.

What I appreciated most about the film is its ability to make you feel connected to the martyrs, not just as victims of a horrific act but as individuals whose faith and courage shone through in unimaginable circumstances. It's a sobering and deeply moving watch, offering more than just a retelling of history, it's a story that stays with you, inspiring reflection long after the credits roll.

Ten years after the matyrdom of the 21 Coptic Christians (mostly) from Upper Egypt this film shows what happened in a very appropiate, authentic and meaningful way. It is wonderful to see how respectfully and accurately the filmmakers captured the scenes. The combination of Coptic iconography and modern animation is unique, the speakers and the music are strong but never too much. I was amazed how moving and deep this short film captured the faith of the men and the supernatural fight behind the actions. Great respect for this piece of art! I am confident that this movie will help the story to go out to the world!

This short film pays tribute to the bravery of 21 Coptic Christians martyred by ISIS for refusing to recant their faith in Jesus. They follow in the footsteps of countless thousands who have been martyred for their faith throughout history, and many who have been martyred since in dark places like Nigeria.

Their story is a testament to the power of their faith and the love of their Savior. The challenge in telling a story like this is not to simply glamorize the martyrs as heroes or villainize their captors as evil spawn of the devil. All Christians who read the words of Jesus know that their faith is risky, but that God is a master at turning evil into good. Just look at Jesus on the Cross, and ponder the power of the resurrection!

This film is artistically intriguing and tastefully presents a very difficult story. I hope and pray that it gets a wide showing by a thoughtfully receptive audience.

As a copt, the martyrdom of the 21 was an incredibly traumatic experience. Although the eyes of the world were on the Coptic Christians it always felt like the world didn't understand what they seeing. This animation, being published ten years after the incident has made me feel so seen. I have watched it countless times and each time I am drawn to tears. It turned an earth shattering scene of resilient faith into a digestible display of the events endured by the best ambassadors of my ancestors. The Coptic art style has brought to life the ancient stories passed down by my ancestors in such an authentic way. I cannot put in words the gratitude I have for this production and I can't wait to watch it again!

I am deeply familiar with the story of the 21 Martyrs of Libya. I have read books about them and read all the news coverage about ISIS's savage act. So I did not expect to be so deeply moved by this short animated film of their story. Its narration is simple and just enough. The art echoes Coptic iconography while also being true to the modern age during which this happened. The music and soundscape brought us right into their spiritual and physical world. I highly recommend this film and thank the creators for their thoughtful, prayerful and moving depiction of the martyrdom of these Coptic Orthodox young men.