"The Real World --- from Despair to Hope" is the theme for "Soup and Cinema," the annual Lenten film and discussion series presented by Catholics In Media Associates in three parishes beginning Feb. 8.

Holy Family in South Pasadena (Fridays), St. Francis De Sales in Sherman Oaks (Mondays), and St. Bede the Venerable in La Canada (Wednesdays) will host the presentations, led by Capuchin Father Anthony Scannell. Soup begins at 6 p.m. and the film at 7 p.m., followed by discussion on the film and its Lenten connection.

The films being shown this year are:

---"The Shawshank Redemption" (Feb. 8), about the indomitable human spirit in the midst of despairing conditions.
---"Hotel Rwanda (Feb. 15), one man's brave stance against savagery and genocide.
---"Water" (Feb. 22), lessons in faith and confronting prejudice.
---"Ratatouille" (March 3), about realizing dreams in spite of obstacles.
---"Tsotsi" (March 10), 2005 Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Language Film.

Admission is free; call the parish for additional information.