5 Shocking Facts About 'The 21 Real Footage' And The Oscar-Contending Film That Reclaimed Its Narrative

The search query "The 21 Real Footage" leads to one of the most harrowing and significant pieces of propaganda from the last decade: the 2015 execution video released by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). As of December 17, 2025, the conversation around this horrific event has taken a profound and unexpected turn, shifting from the terror of the original footage to a powerful, Oscar-eligible animated short film titled The 21. This new film directly confronts the original ISIS narrative, using art and faith to honor the 21 Coptic Christian Martyrs and their ultimate act of defiance.

The original "real footage" was a calculated act of psychological warfare, intended to spread fear and demonstrate the group’s brutality. Today, the focus is on the story of the men themselves—twenty Egyptians and one Ghanaian—who were kidnapped near the city of Sirte, Libya, and martyred on a beach for refusing to renounce their Christian faith. The film The 21 seeks to replace the image of violence with one of spiritual strength and remembrance.

The Unseen Truth: The 21 Coptic Martyrs of Libya

The 21 men who became known as the Martyrs of Libya were largely migrant workers who had traveled from impoverished villages in Upper Egypt to earn money for their families. Their story of faith and sacrifice forms the emotional core of the new film and is crucial for understanding the context of the original footage. The Coptic Orthodox Church officially canonized them as saints, cementing their place in history.

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Key Facts and Identities of the Martyrs

• Date of Martyrdom: The execution video was released on February 15, 2015.
• The Ghanaian Martyr: The 21st martyr, Matthew Ayariga, was not Coptic but a worker from Ghana who reportedly declared his faith moments before his death.
• Origin: Most of the men came from the Egyptian province of Minya.
• Names of Note (Entities): The list of martyrs includes names such as Bishoy Adel Khalaf, Samuel Alhoam Wilson, Hany Abdel-Masih Salib, and Melad Mackeen Zaki.
• War Crime Designation: International bodies, including Human Rights Watch, condemned the brutal killing of the 21 men as a war crime.

Their final moments, captured in the horrifying ISIS propaganda footage, showed them quietly praying, a powerful image that shocked the world but also inspired millions. The fact that their bodies were later recovered in 2017 near Sirte provided closure for the families and confirmed the details of the tragedy.

Behind the Scenes: The Making of the Oscar-Contending Short Film "The 21"

The short film, *The 21*, is a 13-minute masterpiece that has successfully shifted the narrative away from the terrorist organization's intent. It has garnered significant attention in the 2024-2025 film festival circuit and is currently an Oscar contender, having earned its Oscar qualification through theatrical exhibition.

The Artistic and Production Details

The film’s unique approach is what makes it a vital piece of modern storytelling. It deliberately avoids showing the graphic details of the beheadings, instead focusing on the inner strength and faith of the men.

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• Director: The film was directed by American filmmaker Tod Polson, known for his work in animation.
• Animation Style: It is animated in the distinct and evocative style of Neo-Coptic Iconography, drawing upon the ancient artistic traditions of the Egyptian church.
• Global Collaboration: The production involved a massive international effort, with a team of over 70 artists from more than 24 countries, collaborating closely with the global Coptic community.
• The Use of Real Footage: Critically, the film intercuts its animation with brief, decontextualized snippets of the actual ISIS propaganda footage to ground the story in reality, but uses the animation to re-frame the victims' perspective.
• Goal: Polson’s goal was to create a tribute to "bravery, sacrifice, and faith," turning a message of horror into one of hope.

The short film’s eligibility for the 2025 Oscars highlights its critical success and its powerful message. It is a prime example of how art can be used to counteract violent extremism and honor human dignity.

Reclaiming the Narrative: The Legacy of the Real Footage

The original "real footage" was one of the most powerful recruitment and terror tools used by Daesh (another name for ISIS). Its glossy, high-production quality was designed to maximize its psychological impact across the globe. However, the film *The 21* has played a significant role in a global effort to reclaim the narrative.

The men’s final words, often translated as "Lord Jesus Christ," became a rallying cry for Christians worldwide and a symbol of unwavering faith. The film ensures that the memory of the martyrs is defined by their conviction, not by the brutality of their killers. This is a crucial aspect of topical authority on this subject—moving beyond the sensationalism of the original video to the profound spiritual and historical context.

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LSI Keywords and Topical Entities

Understanding the "21 real footage" topic requires embracing a wide range of related entities and concepts, which are naturally woven into the discussion:

• Geographical Entities: Libya, Egypt, Sirte, Minya.
• Religious/Historical Entities: Coptic Christian Martyrs, Coptic Orthodox Church, Catholic Church, Patriarch Tawadros II, Roman Martyrology.
• Political/Terror Entities: ISIS (Islamic State), Daesh, Propaganda footage, War Crime.
• Film/Art Entities: Tod Polson, Animated short film, Neo-Coptic Iconography, Oscar qualification, Film festival circuit.

By focusing on the names, the faith, and the artistic response, the discussion moves from a simple search for "leaked footage" to a deep dive into martyrdom, faith, and the power of counter-narratives. The film's success is a testament to the fact that the men’s story has transcended the terror of the original video, ensuring their legacy is one of strength and inspiration for the next generation.

In conclusion, while the phrase "the 21 real footage" will always be linked to a tragic event, the most current and relevant information, as of late 2025, centers on the film *The 21*. This critically acclaimed work has successfully taken control of the narrative, transforming a tool of terror into a powerful, internationally recognized tribute to faith and courage. The ongoing success of the film on the film festival circuit and its Oscar eligibility ensure that the true story of the 21 martyrs will continue to be told with dignity and respect.