Hi Raquelle,
My sister and her husband are celebrating 20 years of marriage this week. That’s a long time. I’m not married, so I wonder what it’s like to live with someone for that many years. After that many years, have you figured out the important things?
As an outside observer, it seems to me like the pressure on marriages today is extraordinary. What can two people committed to each other do to stay together and strong in their relationship when so much is against it?
That’s the central theme of Fireproof, the newest film from Sherwood Pictures (makers of Facing the Giants,
Flywheel). Remaining true to their mission to reach the whole world with the whole Word, Alex and Stephen Kendrick wrote a story about a firefighter whose marriage is on the verge of collapse. Kirk Cameron (Left Behind) has the lead role of Caleb Holt, a captain in the local fire department.
With a volunteer base of over 3000 people, Sherwood Baptist excels at mobilizing their members to support the film ministry. Sunday School classes prepared meals and most of the cast and crew were volunteers. The city of Albany, Georgia, donated people, locations, and equipment to the cause. It’s a filmmaker’s dream.
Sony Pictures plans to release the film into theaters in August of 2008. Put it on your calendar to attend opening weekend. I think you’ll enjoy the film whether or not you’re married.
You don’t have to wait until August to see some good videos about marriage. I’ve pulled several videos from our selection you might want to check out. Some are dramas; others are good discussion-starters for small groups.
Let’s have a great 2008! Start by attending the new Veggie Tales' movie in theaters this weekend: "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything."
From the screening room,
Angela Walker
ChristianMovieNews.com
Read our exclusive interview with Alex and Kirk on the set of "Fireproof" below.
Facing The Giants & Flywheel Pack - DVD
Get the 2 hit movies from Sherwood Pictures for a great low price
Flywheel
Created with the same faith-filled warmth and humor as Facing The Giants, the newly edited Director's Cut of Flywheel is the first movie produced by Sherwood Pictures. Written by the Kendrick Brothers and starring Alex Kendrick (who played Coach Grant Taylor),
Flywheel will have you cheering once again!
Jay Austin wants to sell used cars in the worst way...and that's exactly how he does business at his dealership. Promising much more than he can ever deliver, he'll do whatever it takes to sell a car. His manipulative ways permeate all of his relationships - even his wife and son know they can't trust him.
But as Jay works on restoring a classic convertible, he begins to see that God is working on restoring him as well. Coming face-to-face with the reality of how he truly conducts himself, Jay Austin begins the ride of his life as he commits to honoring God with his business, his relationships, and his life!
Facing The Giants
Never give up. Never back down. Never lose faith.
Facing The Giants is the heart-warming story of a downtrodden Christian high school football coach who turns to God when everything seems to be going against him. Trusting God to do the impossible, Coach Grant Taylor and his Shiloh Christian Eagles soon discover how faith plays out on the field … and off.
This action-packed drama has had theater audiences laughing, crying, and cheering.
Industry Interview
Featured Filmmakers: Alex Kendrick & Kirk Cameron
by Angela Walker
We had the chance to talk with both Alex Kendrick (Facing the Giants, Flywheel) and Kirk Cameron (Left Behind: Tribulation Force, Left Behind: World at War) in the middle of filming Sherwood Pictures' newest move Fireproof. [Behind-the-scenes picture courtesy of Hayley Catt, Sherwood Pictures]
Alex: We’re on the 16th day (out of 30) of shooting Fireproof , our third movie. We’re excited about it because of the message and what we hope the Lord will do with it. Things are going really well.
CC.com: Can you tell us about the plot of the movie and what you hope to accomplish with it?
Alex:It’s about a fireman whose marriage is dissolving. Just before he heads to file for a divorce, his father, who is a Christian, talks him into doing what’s called “The Love Dare.”
It’s a 40-day journey of applying Biblical principles to marriage. As he takes the journey, he gets more and more educated about what God intended for marriage, and he learns more about what love could be. He gets to win back the heart of his wife, but not without some twists and turns along the way.
We’re excited about shooting this, and hopefully it will encourage marriages out there. We think God has the best romances.
CC.com:When will it be in theaters?
Alex:August of 2008 it should premiere in theaters, with the DVD following in about 4 months. We’re packing stuff on there and we think our actors are doing a great job. It’s a fun project.
CC.com:Have you had some unique “God-moments” during the shoot that you’d like to tell us about?
Alex: When we prayed for resources, God provided more than we could ever imagine. We asked for the reserve fire trucks at the fire station, and they offered us their best trucks. Same thing with the hospital and the ambulance company. The Lord has opened up doors we never could have opened ourselves.
We committed it to prayer, and in every instance, he blows us away. He is proving to be the God of the impossible.
CC.com:What’s it been like to work with Kirk Cameron?
Alex:He’s playing the lead role of Caleb, the fire fighter. I promise if you don’t cry at least twice during this movie, you’re not human. You can go to Fireproofthemovie.com for updates, and we even have a blog from the set. Hopefully we’ll have a trailer ready soon as well.
CC.com:Kirk, how did you get involved with this film?
Kirk:After seeing Facing the Giants, I was so excited about what Sherwood Films was doing that I called them up. I said, “I’ve seen your movie about 5 times with my family. If I can be of help in your next film, please let me know.”
About 6 months later, Alex Kendrick called me up and asked if I’d come audition for the lead role. He kind of prefaced it with “I don’t think you’re the right guy for the role, but come audition anyway.”
He’s looking for a big hunk of a guy to come pull guys out of burning buildings, not skinny little Mike Seaver (Growing Pains).
I’ve undergone a transformation. Mike Seaver is dead.
CC.com:Did you do some training to bulk up for the role?
Kirk:We had about a month and a half before we started filming. What really helps is having a Russian NHL hockey player for a brother-in-law (Candace Cameron’s husband Valeri Bure).
He called me and said, “I heard you want me to ‘pump you up.’” He put me on a killer Russian weight-gain program. I became unrecognizable. I also got a new haircut: high and tight, they call it. Like the Marines.
CC.com:We’re excited to see what happens with this film. I know Facing the Giants exceeded everyone’s expectations in how it reached people.
Kirk:There are so many people whose marriages desperately need some solid help. I think this movie is going to be the God-send that’s needed.
Being married for 16 years to the same lady has been a wonderful journey, but we can certainly understand the challenges that people go through. Especially when you have 6 kids on top of that.
This kind of movie, offering practical help to Christians and non-Christians, is terrific. And there is a clear presentation of the Gospel to reach non-Christians.
We show the truth about real love: it’s a decision, a commitment. It’s a choice to love even when you don’t feel anything. When a man loves a woman that way, with God’s help, she’ll bloom, even if he’s neglected her.
CC.com: Thanks so much for talking with us about the film, and we look forward to seeing it this fall!
©2008 ChristianCinema.com
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