Am I Called to Be a Martyr, Too? A Review of the Short Film 'The 21'

After watching the short, animated film, The 21, Roxane Salonen finds herself asking, “Lord, am I also called to be a martyr?”

In 2015, I watched on TV as a group of young men in Libya wearing orange jumpsuits were filmed while being led by masked captors to the ocean and beheaded.  

Despite my shuddering then at watching a modern-day martyrdom, I soon turned to other, more immediate stories, losing sight of these dear, brave souls. Learning recently of a new animated short film, The 21, gave me a chance to revisit this story and reflect anew on its impact.   

The film describes itself as “a short, animated film shaped by neo-Coptic iconography, produced in collaboration with the global Coptic Community by a team of 70+ artists from more than 24 countries.” Its 13-minute duration makes it easy for the modern viewer to digest, and its creators do a beautiful job of presenting the story through captivating visuals and sound. 

‘The seed of the Church’ 

Tertullian, an early Christian, is known for declaring that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” This powerful statement stands true. After all, Jesus was the first martyr, dying an unjust death for love of God and us.  

“In 2015, ISIS murdered 21 Christian migrant workers on a beach in Libya,” the film notes at its opening. “This is the story of the men who died as told by those who loved them, and those who hated them.” 

A narrator then explains that in the early 21st century, the Islamic State (ISIS), in an effort to cleanse North Africa of Christians, began “a reign of terror,” with Egyptian Coptic Christians primary targets. 

The first group of seven captives had been making their way home to Egypt in December 2014 when they were kidnapped. Later, in a raid of the housing complex where they’d been staying, 13 more were captured, which brought the number to 20 men now squished together in an underground prison. A 21st was added, Matthew from Ghana, after being captured in a separate raid. Though ISIS tried to release him, after he insisted he worshipped the same God as the other captives, they forced him to join the 20. 

Pictures Provoke Questions 

At one point, the film’s animation is interrupted by actual snapshots of the men’s faces from prison. I hold these images in my mind as I think of my sons, young men around the same ages. Though seeming somber, in that moment, they are likely still unaware of their fate.  

These images challenge me with questions: Could I be as brave as they in similar circumstances? Even in the daily challenges I face now as a communicator of the Christian faith in a secularized culture, do I stand firm for Christ or bend to pressure? 

After initially being treated well, the captives begin a “journey of torture” after refusing to abandon Christ. It is during a third visit to the beach that they are lined up along the shore, forced to lie down on the sand, and one by one, beheaded.  

I force myself to remember that this happened just a decade ago and is still taking place in our day. Could it reach my shores, in time? Could my life also end at the hands of bloodthirsty captors?  

Perhaps we will escape our blood being spilled, but in some ways, we are already living “white martyrdom” in being scorned for our Christian faith. Can we endure to the end, come what may?  

‘Where, o death, is your sting?’ 

Thankfully, because of Jesus, we know that death ultimately has no sting. Jesus rose from the dead, and we trust these 21 young heroes are now beholding his face.  

A short time after their murders, the Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church formally declared the men martyrs, and in 2023, the Catholic Church followed suit. Upon return of their remains to Egypt in 2017, a church was built in their home province to honor them. As the film notes, they continue to inspire millions to a greater faith.  

This Lent, I am grateful for the questions their extreme stories of heroic virtue bring me as I ask: How should I live this speck of time I’ve been given? How will I influence others toward the love of Christ? What can I do this day to prepare for possibly dying for Our Lord? 

If you have a chance to watch The 21 during Lent, consider bringing these men and their families into your prayers with me as we march toward Calvary together, honoring them for the witness they brought not just to North Africa but to our very hearts.  

Where Jesus Learned to Walk 

Two short “Behind the Scenes” videos associated with the film reveal the animation process as well as a brief history of the Coptic Christians — including the reminder that Jesus lived with his parents in Egypt for three years. There, He said His first words and took His first steps.  

Additionally, I learned that the Coptic Christians are ancient descendants of the pharaohs, dating back to the first century, when Saint Mark was sent to Egypt to establish the Christian faith. 

As one interviewee noted, their contribution to Christianity is massive. For them, martyrdom isn’t just history, but ongoing, happening every day. Yet, as he said, “We will never be shaken in our faith.” 

While the film’s animation makes it reachable for most, including teenagers, I’d stop short of allowing smaller children, who won’t be ready to process the topic’s heaviness, to view it. Others will come away renewed in vigor of this faith we hold dear. 

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Copyright 2025 Roxane Salonen
Images: courtesy of The21Film.com, all rights reserved.