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RE-RELEASE OF EXPLOSIVE FILM SPOTLIGHTS CHRISTIAN KILLINGS IN TURKEY

Marks Anniversary of Slayings, Deep Cultural Divide in Nation

TULSA, OKLA. –March 15, 2011– Nolan Dean Films/Stuff of Earth Media has just re-released their powerful documentary, Malatya, a feature length film about the brutal killings of three Christians in Turkey in 2007. The film’s long awaited re-issue coincides with the April 18^th anniversary of the tragic event.

To mark the anniversary, Malatya,’s producers are asking churches nationwide to join them in a global day of prayer for Turkey. They also ask pastors to present the film to their congregations as a way to raise awareness of the persecution Christians face today in that Muslim nation.

“There is a powerful need to expose these tragic deaths to the light and bring a healing within Turkey that touches believers and Muslims,” said Nolan Dean, Director of Malatya. “I ask pastors nationwide to mobilize their church for a special day of prayer for Turkey and to show this powerful film to their church body and loved ones. I believe Malatya is an amazing story of forgiveness and forbearance in tragedy and why we all need to unite together in prayer for the healing of the Turkish people.”

The story of Malatya traces the tragic killings of three Turkish believers in 2007 by five Muslim teens—a crime which sent shockwaves throughout Turkey and devastated Turkish Christians nationwide. The film also follows the men’s families in the aftermath of the murders and their decision to show God’s mercy despite the religious persecution they experience.

Since its release in 2009, Malatya has received rave reviews for its gritty portrayal of the tragedy as well as the deep cultural divide that now exists for many in Turkey today.

“Turkey has had to come to grips with the fact that Christians were martyred in the name of Islam,” says Steve Husmann, producer of Malatya. “I think many Muslims have been challenged with that awful truth and how they view their spiritual beliefs in the face of it. The tragedy of these murders has moved well beyond the singularity of one incident and into the consciousness of a nation. That’s where we pray they find healing and discover the truly transforming love of Jesus Christ.”

Malatya is today being re-released with brand new music, a new website, and other production changes. The film can be ordered online at www.Malatyafilm.com with free group licenses for churches available for the cost of a single DVD ($14.99). Producers are also offering packs of 20 DVDs for $100 to sell after the showing or as special gifts to attendees.

For more information about Malatya, please visit www.Malatyafilm.com. For information about the Global Day of Prayer for Turkey, visit www.prayforturkey.com.

As We Forgive is available on DVD at most Christian bookstores and at www.familychristianmovies.com. The fifty three minute documentary follows two women from Rwanda, Rosaria and Chantal, as they face their toughest test of forgiveness. During the 1994 Genocide their families were murdered, now can they forgive the men that tore their lives apart? Find out what happens when the murderers and the survivors meet and even what you can do to help those so far away. You can find out more about the film and the help efforts by visiting www.asweforgivemovie.com.

As We Forgive is an outstanding testimony to forgiveness and reconciliation. The courts were overwhelmed with 120,000 imprisoned suspects so the Supreme Court of Rwanda implemented the Gacaca Courts Department. The Gacaca was traditionally an informal village court system for handling village disputes. Now these courts would try to handle the complicated task of trials and sentencing for the suspects of the 1994 Genocide. One way the courts tried to reconcile their villages was to have the accused meet and apologize to the survivors. The challenging part was that most of the survivors knew and in some cases had even been friends with the men that killed their family members. Not only were lives taken, but houses were burnt to the ground and fields were set ablaze. With 90% of Rwandans being farmers, their fields are how they make a living. In some of the courts they tried to mend relationships by the accused murderers building new homes for survivors.

Producer, Laura Waters Hinson and her husband hope that this film will bring awareness to the current need in Rwanda. They have founded The Living Bricks Campaign in conjunction with the film to allow viewers the chance to help the victims rebuild their country. For more information about The Living Bricks Campaign please visit www.livingbrickscampaign.org.

Another way viewers can get involved is by supporting the As We Forgive Rwanda Initiative (AWFRI). This is a Rwandan-led movement to help communities work together to rebuild their country. Over 15 years later there is still a lot of work to be done, for example the Genocide left over a million orphans and widows. To find out how you can make a difference right from your community visit www.asweforgive.org.
As We Forgive is an extremely touching film. What can turn friend against friend and make someone kill their neighbor? This documentary shows the devastation that occurred in Rwanda not so long ago. But most of all it shows how with God’s help these people are regaining their hope. Please prayerfully consider helping our brothers and sisters in Rwanda.

Watch the trailer for As We Forgive here

Dove Family Foundation Approved family video shows the complexities and beauty of life in this light-hearted drama

TULSA, OK – Dealing with the complexities of life can difficult for anyone. In “Wheel of Knowing: a Story of Hope” releasing on DVD February 2nd, 2011, Melanie has what she thinks is the perfect life…perfect husband…perfect children…perfect friends…but that all begins to unravel when she becomes the caregiver for her Alzheimer’s inflicted father.
Melanie has life all figured out. She knows she can conquer any challenge as the perfect Christian wife and mother. Against the advice of her family, Melanie brings her Alzheimer’s inflicted father, Sam into her home. Although she’s certain she can help, Sam’s delusions and disruptions start to unravel Melanie’s “perfect” life.
In her attempt to reach Sam, Melanie fails to notice her own family falling apart. Caught between countless obstacles and Sam’s relentless needs, she begins to feel as lost as her father.

Stretched to the brink, Melanie must find a salvation that is beyond her own understanding. Something that might be locked in Sam’s broken mind. Something that must be revealed by God.”

Ministry - A Note From Michael Sewell, the Producer of “Wheel of Knowing”
Hi I’m Micheal Sewell, I wrote, co-produced and acted in” Wheel of Knowing.” This film is born out of life spent ministering to the Church and to seekers through the medium of drama. “Wheel of Knowing-A Story of Hope,” is the latest project requiring a step of faith. It was put together with a shoestring budget and the help of several small churches. Calvary Chapel Laguna Creek, Calvary Chapel Natomas, and Metro Calvary Roseville all came together with some great people from the Sacramento film community to make this project a reality. The story was inspired by my wife Jodi’s personal experience. In caring for an Alzheimer’s patient, she saw God miraculously reach him despite his dementia.

It is our prayer that this film will give hope and a voice to people who understand that the world is very complex, full of suffering and confusion, but that God’s love shines above it all in the salvation He brings through His Son, Jesus Christ. I believe Jesus when He said that “the truth will set you free”, and so I strive to be honest in my writing avoiding a contrived message or propaganda. “The Wheel of Knowing: a Story of Hope” is about perception, suffering, forgiveness, and God’s love. I pray it will be a blessing to the viewer and a message that will draw people to Jesus.

To see more from Michael, please watch this clip where Michael shares more about what drove him to produce this film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV2hm0TyPE8
Wheel of Knowing: a Story of Hope…will be available for the suggested retail price of $21.99.

The Grace Card: A groundbreaking new Christian Film will be coming to US theaters this winter and will be distributed by the folks who brought Fireproof to the masses.  We hope to have The Grace Card on DVD some time late in 2011.

MEMPHIS TN – September 9, 2010 – Graceworks Pictures and Calvary Pictures have announced that THE GRACE CARD, a gritty drama that poignantly illustrates that the worst prisons are the ones we make ourselves, will open in theaters on February 25, 2011. Set in Memphis, THE GRACE CARD features Academy Award®-winner Louis Gossett Jr. (Best Supporting Actor, AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN) and centers on the unlikely partnership between two cops: Mac, embittered by tragedy, angry at life and God and everyone else; and Sam, a rising star in the department, promoted over Mac. As Mac’s life nosedives, the tension builds: can he accept grace from a God he abandoned and a man he detests?

“The point is to grab people by the heart,” says director David Evans. Evans is a successful optometrist known in Memphis for his 15-plus years producing Calvary Church’s annual passion play. THE GRACE CARD is his feature film-directing debut—and through Graceworks Pictures, he’s also executive producer. Calvary Pictures is a ministry of Calvary Church in the Memphis suburb of Cordova. THE GRACE CARD will be marketed and released by Affirm Films and Provident Films and distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films, the three companies behind FIREPROOF and FACING THE GIANTS.

Real Life. Real Answers.

As with independent, faith-based films such as FIREPROOF and FACING THE GIANTS, THE GRACE CARD showcases people in unvarnished challenges, confronting what they believe against the hard places in life. How far does forgiveness go? That question beats at the heart of THE GRACE CARD.

THE GRACE CARD assembled a talented crew of Hollywood professionals and dedicated local volunteers. Producer and writer Howard Klausner, a Hollywood veteran, is well known for his script of the Clint Eastwood-directed hit SPACE COWBOYS. Producer John Saunders’ two decades of industry experience includes WALK THE LINE and LEATHERHEADS. John Nasraway, also producing, has a string of credits working with Oscar-winning directors on top-grossing films such as MASTER AND COMMANDER and TERMINATOR 3.

Passionate Support

A small army of 300 volunteers attended Calvary Pictures’ “boot camp” before working on the shoot itself. “I’ve never seen such passion and dedication,” said Deputy Sharon Fox O’Guin of the Memphis Film Commission. From catering to wardrobe to anything needed, these volunteers, many of whom had worked with David Evans on the Calvary Passion Play, turned THE GRACE CARD into a feature-length film.

The people of Memphis also jumped on board. THE GRACE CARD’s full support of local leaders included Memphis police, who allowed use of their logo, badges, and facilities.

Synopsis

THE GRACE CARD

Witness the Power of Forgiveness

Everything can change in an instant . . . and take a lifetime to unravel. When Mac McDonald loses his son in an accident, the ensuing 17 years of bitterness and pain erode his love for his family and leave him angry with God . . . and just about everyone else. Mac’s rage stonewalls his career in the police department and makes for a combustible situation when he’s partnered with Sam Wright, a rising star on the force—who happens to be a part-time pastor and a loving family man. Can they somehow join forces to help one another when it’s impossible for either of them to look past their differences—especially the most obvious one?

Every day, we have the opportunity to rebuild relationships and heal deep wounds by extending and receiving God’s grace. Offer THE GRACE CARD … and never underestimate the power of God’s love.

Since the early 90s, the Dove Foundation has had an incredible influence on Christian families by setting up a rating and reviewing system that helps Christian Consumers to make choices about what films to watch with their families.  For example if you check out their review for Bella you’ll see that it is “Dove Approved: Suitable for Ages 12 and up,” but if you visit the review for the recent hit “Robin Hood,” you’ll see that it’s “Not Family Approved” and it details the reasons why.  Other films may be “Dove Approved All ages” like the Christian Comedy “Angels Love Donuts.”

As a seller of Christian DVDs, we’ve been greatly blessed by the ministry of the Dove Foundation.  Their ratings and evaluations of Christian films have, in many cases, helped us as we ask the question: “What Films should we sell?”

A recent article in the online newspaper “STLToday” outlined the recent growth of the Dove Foundation’s influence and their plans to unveil a more comprehensive set of seals that will help discern between different Christian films, more and more of which are featuring content that is definitely not suitable for all ages; namely films like To Save A Life, which have a strong Christian message, but also feature content that some Christians may find objectionable.

As the article says…

The success of Christian films inspired a new generation of Christian auteurs who have since introduced variety into the Christian film market. Fans of Christian movies can now choose between squeaky-clean evangelistic efforts like Sherwood Films’ “Fireproof,” about a firefighter’s marriage, and “Facing the Giants,” about a football coach’s trust in God, and grittier fare, like this year’s “To Save A Life,” about teen depression, suicide and bullying; and “Preacher’s Kid,” about domestic violence.

The latter two films “have some rather graphic scenes in them of inappropriate sexual behavior, drug and alcohol use and violence,” Rolfe said in an interview. “However, they also have very powerful stories of redemption through Christian faith.”

I encourage you to check out the entire article here.