New Documentary Depicting Apparitions of the Virgin Mary Premieres May 4 at Chicago's Gene Siskel Film Center

CHICAGO, April 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The much-anticipated full-length documentary 'The Triumph' premieres at the Art Institute of Chicago's Gene Siskel Film Center on Saturday, May 4 at 12:00 PM. Filmmakers and producers will be on-hand at the invitation-only event and will host a private reception, which will also be made open to credentialed members of the media who RSVP.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130426/NE02280)

"We're really excited about the official premiere," said Sean Bloomfield, the film's director, whose work also includes If Only We Had Listened with Immaculee Ilibagiza. "This event really caps off the amazing success we've had so far in bringing this film to as wide an audience as possible."

In the 10 days leading up to the premiere, rumors have begun percolating about the Vatican Commission allegedly drawing closer to a conclusion on its review of the alleged apparitions in the once little-know village of Medjugorje.

"This is such an exciting time for all of us in the Church with a new pope, who sees the importance of really going out into the deep in both word and deed," said Zaid Jazrawi, the film's producer and co-creator. "We really feel our film goes beyond telling a basic story with which many in the Church are familiar, but also attracts and crosses over to a bigger audience - we've had high school students tell us this is one of the more impactful films they've seen - that's what the New Evangelization is all about!"

Since 1981, Medjugorje has received over 30 million visitors and remains the largest active confessional in the world. Because the apparitions allegedly continue to this day through a number of the visionaries, the Church has not authenticated the reported experiences. While the Magesterium may not issue any kind of ruling until the purported apparitions cease, that hasn't had any effect on the growing number of 'informal' pilgrimages from across the Globe. The Vatican Commission designated to develop an opinion is rumored to be closer to drawing a conclusion on this mystery.

SOURCE The Triumph