Focus on the Family Citizen March 2009 : Page 9
Baptist have been praying about where their celluloid endeavors might lead in the future. A Fireproof sequel seems unlikely, at least for now, Alex told CitizenLink. Instead, the brothers have been seriously considering a movie set in pre-Ref- ormation Europe. “We have a story line that we’d like to shoot, but it would cost $20 million to $30 million to do it,” Stephen said. “But we do think one day we’ll shoot it. We’ve met guys, and are friends with guys, who are billionaires, so we know that God could provide that money.” The brothers are taking some time off from the business while si- multaneously seeking direction on their next project. As the married fathers of five and four children, re- spectively, Alex and Stephen want to make sure that “we’re investing in our families and local ministries,” as Alex put it. “Doing a movie and marketing and promoting it can be so consuming.” Giant returns The Kendrick brothers grew up in Atlanta, the sons of a pastor; their older brother works at IBM. They spent a lot of time with a camcorder in their hands. And when they both joined the staff of Sherwood after getting seminary degrees several years ago, they decided to return to their hobby to see if they could help take back popular culture for Christ. Alex and Stephen had no pro- fessional training in film, and the church had no theatrical minis- try. Nevertheless, in 2003, Sher- wood leadership decided to invest $20,000 so the brothers could form a production company, Sherwood Pictures, and make a movie, Fly- wheel, about a used-car salesman who lacked integrity but changed his ways through a recommit- ment to Jesus Christ. While it was only screened locally, Blockbuster picked up Flywheel and went on to March 2009 sell more than 200,000 DVDs. The Kendricks realized they were on to something. Their second film, Facing the Gi- ants, proved to be a game-changer. As with Flywheel, the Kendrick brothers filled the picture with volunteer actors from the church, and Alex played the lead role of a high-school football coach. Church members provided, gratis, all the staffing and production for the film, and the settings—including a Christian high school—were local. So Sherwood could pull off Facing the Giants for a mere $100,000. To market the film, the Kendricks hooked up with Provident, whose Christian principles had helped to market Veggie Tales properties. Church-based and word-of-mouth promotion created a buzz among believers who are always on the lookout for the few faith-based movies that seem worthwhile. Fac- ing the Giants was shown in more than 8,500 churches and 800 the- aters across North America. The film garnered more than $10 mil- lion at the box office and has sold more than 1.6 million DVDs in 13 languages and 56 countries. The video was the most popular prod- uct in U.S. Christian bookstores in 2007. “It blew our expectations out of the water,” Stephen said. “We were expecting maybe 15 or 20 theaters.” Launching a movement After the success of Facing the Gi- ants, the Kendrick brothers secured a budget five times larger for Fire- proof. “It wasn’t just about a movie about marriage the way God in- tended it to be,” Alex said. “We wanted to launch a movement.” Stephen explained: “We only want- ed people who were trying to seek God and wouldn’t be communicat- ing a different message about mar- riage in reality than the roles they were playing on the screen.” One scene in Fireproof illustrates the essential unity that developed between the Kendrick brothers and their star. Kirk Cameron’s long- time personal conviction has been not to kiss a woman other than his wife, even on-screen. “And the Kendricks,” Cameron said, “had their own identical standard.” So in the movie’s final scene—when, as Cameron put it, “You’re just screaming for a kiss”—lead actress Erin Bethea stepped out and Chel- sea Cameron stepped in. Pressing on Some observers hope Sherwood Pictures’ success will spark more involvement by Christians in the movie business, especially as they see that they increasingly can work around the Left’s iron grip on Hol- lywood. The Kendrick brothers say they will press on, “forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead” (Philippians 3:13). “We’re made the decision to make our movies based on a few things that are very overtly Chris- tian,” Stephen said. “We want peo- ple all over the world to hear the Gospel and be impacted for the Kingdom.” ● Dale Buss is a freelance writer in Michigan. FOR MORE INFORMATION Listen online to the Focus on the Family radio broadcast interview with Fireproof lead actor Kirk Cam- eron and producers Stephen and Alex Kendrick: http://listen.family. org/daily/A000001512.cfm Request your copy of Fireproof on DVD: http://family.christianbook. com Read a review of Fireproof: www. pluggedinonline.com This article first appeared at www.citi zenlink.com, a daily e-mail newsletter. 9
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