| | ....... Faith Films Hitting Mainstream
Besides Biblical epics, films with a Christian message will also be shown in theatres this year. Last year, former Disney star Vanessa Hudgens was praised for her role in what some considered a pro-life, pro-adoption movie, “Gimme Shelter.” This year, movies about Christian persecution and spiritual experiences will be in theatres.
The first film, to be released March 21, called “God’s not dead,”is about a Christian college student (Shane Harper, “Good Luck Charlie,”) who is called to defend his belief in God by his atheist philosophy professor (Kevin Sorbo “Hercules.”) The movie also stars Dean Cain (“Lois and Clark,”) and Willie and Korie Robertson of A&E’s popular television show, “Duck Dynasty.”Continued after the video.
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A New York Times bestseller, “Heaven is for Real,”a non-fiction narrative of a young boy who biologically dies and comes back to life, will come to theatres on Easter.
Two films about religious persecution are also opening in 2014. “Persecuted,”featuring Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson, stars James Remar (“Dexter”) as a popular evangelist who is targeted by the government, for not adhering to a new law that requires religious leaders to be inclusive of all religions in their preaching. According to The Christian Post and the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) the fictional law is similar to a real life resolution passed by the United Nations. The film is set to come out in the Spring.
Another film with the same title, (but with a much smaller budget), is in production this year as well. “Persecuted”is about a KGB officer who is ordered to infiltrate the Christian church in Soviet era Russia but falls in love with a Christian girl along the way.
The best-selling Christian fiction series, “Left Behind,” will be getting a reboot starring Nicolas Cage and Chad Michael Murray.
More Films in 2015
Other films potentially coming out next year include the Will Smith directed, “Redemption of Cain,” “Pontius Pilate,” with Brad Pitt, Moses re-telling “Gods and Kings,” with rumored director Ang Lee; and a film on the Virgin Mary, called “Mary, mother of God.”
It seems like a spigot has opened, from which you could conclude that there has been institutional hostility toward Bible- and faith-based projects. But Ted Baehr isn’t so sure. Asked if a stigma attached to writers, directors and actors involved in Christian movies, he said, “I don’t think so. At the Producers Guild, Mark Burnett [“The Bible” and “Son of God”] was named the #1 producer on television"
And while he acknowledged there are sometimes special hurdles for Christian films to be produced and distributed, Baehr believes “It depends who it is. Fox/Lionsgate/Sony has a division for Christian films, Roadside Attractions,” which is a distributor. “Studios are complex,” Baehr said. “It depends on who is in the right position. It really depends on who you know. Hollywood is all about relationships.”
And right now, Hollywood seems intent on building a relationship with Christian audiences.
Read more: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/kristine-marsh/2014/03/03/faith-and-bible-tales-make-believers-hollywood#ixzz2uwaKK9UW |
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