Can A Few People Make A Difference?

Can a few people make a difference? Yes they can! Four people, Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, Dr. Martin Luther King,  Sister Chan Khong, and Alfred Hassler did make a difference.

These four superheros of peace used the five powers of faith, diligence, mindfulness, concentration, and insight to change the course of history during the war in Vietnam. They inspired millions around the world to plant the seeds of peace in the mud of war.

Their story is now being told in a fascinating movie called The Secret of the Five Powers.

The about section of the YouTube page below says the following about the movie:

The Secret of The 5 Powers is an Animated Feature Documentary Starring Thich Nhat Hanh, Alfred Hassler (The Creator of the MLK Montgomery Story Comic Book), Sister Chan Khong and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Secret of the 5 Powers addresses timeless, yet contemporary issues, weaving powerfully illustrated comic book animation, historic documents and modern film footage into an entertaining, inspiring, heart-touching story.

Through the experiences of the films protagonists; Alfred Hassler, an American anti-war superhero, Vietnamese peace activist Sister Chan Khong and Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, whom Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967, the audience is confronted with a variety of challenging and complex issues. Self-immolation, conscientious objection, nonviolent resistance and an unwavering compassion for all those who suffered during the war.

One of the film’s big surprises is the largely unknown comic book that turned Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr, into a Superhero. Dr. Sylvia Rhor, a NYU Martin Luther King, Jr. expert, reveals the story of the powerful “Martin Luther King and The Montgomery Story” Comic Book.

In 1956, Alfred Hassler had an idea to work with Martin Luther King, Jr. to produce a comic book – a comic book to be distributed in the South to young and old, African Americans and white Americans, to tell the story of the struggle for civil rights in Montgomery.

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 50 years.

I am looking forward to t he completed version of this movie. Thich Nhat Hanh is my beloved teacher. Sister Chan Khong has been with him since 1965 and is a hero in her own right. And Martin Luther King is one of America’s finest heroes.

What did you like about this preview? Is the weaving of animation with historical footage interesting? What do you think?