What It's About:

Mychal Judge, a Franciscan priest and chaplain of the New York City Fire Department, was the first person to rush to the Twin Towers on the day of the 2001 terrorist attacks. This beautifully photographed film pays tribute to the life and spirit of a man whose selfless ministering is fondly remembered by those who knew him best.

Why I Love It:

Narrated by Sir Ian McKellen, Holsten’s doc is a fitting elegy for a tremendously inspiring figure who battled demons as a recovering alcoholic and gay Catholic, but whose bigness of heart touched the lives of politicians, fire officials, city residents, and fellow clerics. Hearing about his awe-inspiring mission to comfort AIDS victims in the ’80s, and families of the victims of TWA Flight 800, it’s no wonder that indelible Reuters photo of Judge’s lifeless body being carried out of the rubble by FDNY workers seems so holy.