One of San Antonio's local churches release Faith Based Film
Press Release 11/26/2018
The faith-based movie company, Strong Foundation Films, announced today that it will premiere the film production, Who Am I?, at the Santikos Palladium Theater on December 6, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. The black-tie, red-carpet event will feature the gripping, true story of a woman named Tasha. Tasha goes to a church seeking for help. Pastor Joe sits down with her and she shares an intense life story. She shares how she was born, how she was set free from a world of drugs, racism, theft, and human trafficking. Her story becomes increasingly complex as people from her past come in contact with Pastor Joe with their own life struggles of suicide, teen pregnancy, and abortion. As their stories tie together it brings hope, redemption, and salvation to the forefront. This movie gives us a clear picture of what it means to experience the transformation of God, going from darkness to light, and to continue on the narrow path each and every day.
The message in Who Am I? is important and must be heard, said East... through this film, we want to engage the viewer, create awareness of the dangers of domestic human trafficking, it will ignite meaningful conversations, and highlight what people can do to prevent it.
According to a study conducted by the Christian-focused entertainment advocacy group Movieguide,which found that the current trend of successful faith-based films at the box office demonstrates that American audiences prefer movies with strong values and conservative content almost six-to-one to movies that do not have these contents. This is opening new doors of opportunity for independent faith- based filmmakers.
This films follows Strong Foundation Films recent successes with RUN, and Scarlett. Strong Foundation Films expects other limited releases in 2019. Strong Foundation Films are distributed independently via theater rentals, online downloads, DVDs, and Christian TV. For more information on Strong Foundation Films, purchase tickets to the premier, or to see a movie release schedule please visit: www.strongfoundationfilms.com.
Our goal of movie making is two-fold, said East. First it is to minister to believers and non-believers through film. The second is to feed the hungry around the world with Gods word. Many are starving, and they do not even realize it.
In addition to film making, Easts ministry also works diligently to feed the homeless and the hungry, both literally and spiritually, in the border towns of Mexico.
For ticket sales or for more information: www.StrongFoundationFilms.com.
About Strong Foundation Films
Founded in 2011 in Denver, Colo., Strong Foundation Films is a San Antonio-based Christian film company devoted to making movies that bring a clear understanding of the Gospel to its audiences. The company was created through prayer, and its movies and stories appeal to people of all faiths, or of none. They deliver messages of hope and encouragement while depicting real-life situations. The intention of Strong Foundation Films is to make movies that inspire people to find and maintain a relationship with God. Each story is written to be a "parable on film" and shares a message crafted to help people draw closer to Christ. For more information, visit the website at: www.strongfoundationfilms.com.
Movies that expose Society's Issues
from: Charisma Magazine 03/14/2017
Strong Foundation Films wants to make films that speak to issues in society today, and their eighth film, Run, tackles human trafficking. When Levi (Josiah Warren) and Natalie (Taylor Murphy) get married, they expect that their life will be 'happily ever after.' But Natalie's journalistic investigation and exposure of human trafficking makes her a target for a human trafficker who wants to quiet her voice and punish her for her justice-seeking message. Kidnapping Natalie on her wedding night, the human traffickers set in motion a series of events that will lead to their destruction because Levi's love for Natalie is deep and his faith is strong.
Warren proves to be a capable leading man and director of the film, showing the anguish Levi feels and the powerful determination never to give up. In a Christian film niche that is filling quickly (see: Priceless, Caged No More, The Fourth World), it's necessary that we care about his character and Natalie's as well. In fact, Run may do the best job of any of these films of showing the nefarious way that human traffickers use a variety of methods (Natalie's outright kidnapping is the least likely of them) to gain 'product' for their trade. That's even scarier because it's so subtle and nonchalant.
Natalie isn't the only woman kidnapped, as several other side stories allow us to see how different men and women become ensnared in the sex trade. Some are abused, some are abandoned, some are simply lured into a relationship with a stranger that ends poorly. Those in the trafficking unit have broken lives and a strong disdain for faith; in Levi's life, there are several strong characters whose faith encourage him forward in his quest for Natalie.
While the film's violence is toned down compared to a more widely-released one, the tension and dread are absolutely on par with our expectations for other thrillers. In fact, I found myself wondering which of the 'good' characters would survive the ordeal, a fact that is often softened in Christian film. Here, the impact of sin, violence, death, greed, and disregard for human life are front and center. But thankfully, there are several reminders that God is in control, and that Christians should (and can) stand firm against the evils of trafficking.
Run is the first Strong Foundation Film I've seen, but the film's story and production values guaranteed that it won't be the last.
Stephen Baldwin's New Film
RUN stars Stephen Baldwin (The Usual Suspects; Bio-Dome; Born on the Fourth of July), Taylor Murphy (Scream: The TV Series; The Middle; MTV's Awkward) and Josiah Warren (The Prophet's Son; Scarlett; In Over My Head) who also directs the film. The new faith-based feature film will premiere on March 9th at the Palladium IMAX (17703 IH-10 West) in San Antonio, TX before expanding to select cities nationwide.
RUN follows Levi (Warren), a young businessman who marries a passionate journalist who reports on human trafficking and fights to expose it. On their wedding night, Natalie (Murphy) is kidnapped and sold into sex slavery. Levi goes on the hunt for his wife chasing clues wherever he can find them, leading him to Jeff Conners (Baldwin) - a crime lord with no mercy. Will Levi be able to find his wife before she is moved out of the country? Only with the help of God can Levi find the strength to fight. For more information, visit the official website at www.RunFeatureFilm.com.
We are honored to be able to chat with director and actor Josiah Warren for this exclusive interiew.
Q: Josiah, thank you for doing this interview with us. Congratulations on your new movie "Run," for our readers who have not seen it, briefly tell us what is the movie about?
This movie shows the different ways that people are trafficked. In the movie, two of the main characters are caught by a trafficking ring and are about to be sold. However God moves through prayer to save these girls, and to bring salvation to many.
Q: Why did you want to do a movie about human trafficking?
To bring a greater awareness to people. When we realized what was going on, we wanted to create a greater awareness of this modern day slavery.
Q: You have also approached this movie from a faith-based perspective. How role does the Gospel of Jesus have to do with human trafficking?
Just like the movie says, God sees, God knows, nothing is hidden. In such horrific crimes against these people, God wants to expose the darkness and set people free. Not just the victim, but the customers, and the people that sell the victims.
Q: Besides directing the movie, I believe you also starred in the movie. Tell us about your role as an actor in the movie?
In the movie my wife is a reporter that exposes human trafficking, and on our wedding night she is taken. In the film, I am searching for her, and come across this ring.
Q: Who were some of your co-stars?
Stephen Baldwin, Taylor Murphy, Chloe Flores and several others.
Q: What were some of the highlights for you in directing this film?
Just working with our amazing producer, Sun East, and how God moved to bring people together.
Q: Why should Christians as well as non-Christians watch this movie? What do you wish is the take home message(s)?
Human trafficking is such a heavy topic, but it needs to be addressed. We have presented this subject in a way that exposes the truth, yet is still family friendly. It would be a way to open up dialogue among even children on how to protect themselves. In addition to that it is a great ministry tool.
