The promoters and supporters of the upcoming faith-based film “Fireproof” have less than a week to mobilize more churchgoers and moviegoers to help make Sept. 26-28 a high-impact opening weekend.
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(Photo: Sherwood Pictures)A young Catherine Holt is seen with her father in an image from the movie, "Fireproof." -
(Photo: Sherwood Pictures)Caleb Holt and the Albany Fire Department arrive on scene in this image from the movie, "Fireproof."
As the latest project of Sherwood Pictures, the movie-making ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga., “Fireproof” is set to open this weekend in more than 800 theaters across the nation. And with a successful opening, expansion is inevitable.
“Opening Weekend is the key to any movie's success,” the film’s promoters stated in the “Fireproof” website, FireproofTheMovie.com. “If a movie does well on Opening Weekend, it plays longer in the theaters where it opens and expands into other cities. If it doesn't do well ... you get the picture!”
To bring the movie to their cities, some supporters have gone as far as buying up to thousands of advanced tickets – which are later sold or given away.
One person, Penny Crowder of Fargo, N.D., alone purchased 1,000 tickets – the minimum required to bring it to her town – and is now selling them to reimburse her costs as well as to raise money for World Vision’s AIDS ministry.
"I've known so many people this year that have had marital problems," Crowder told Baptist Press. "I personally am single and have never been married. But of course I have a lot of married friends, and I have seen the challenges, and I just thought, 'This is an investment in my friends,' and if I can't sell 1,000 tickets in the Fargo area – I'm an insurance agent, for goodness sakes ...."
Others, like Greg and Marci Horton of Fresno, Calif., have simply been sending e-mail invitations and verbal invitations at their local churches.
“We can't wait to see the movie and we can't wait to see the impact it will have on our own marriage,” they wrote on the “Fireproof” website.
There are also some who are finding unique ways to help give “Fireproof” an extra big boost this weekend.
“My sisters and I don't have the funds to provide tickets for people, as much as we would like to,” wrote “Jessica,” who submitted her story to the “Fireproof” website. “Instead, we're offering ‘tickets’ for free baby-sitting to several families we know. On the coupon, we wrote that it is good for a night of free sitting so the parents can see 'Fireproof.' It's our hope that they will use them, and that God will use our small offering to work in mighty ways.”
Ministries such as Focus on the Family are also putting some weight behind the upcoming movie.
“As Director of Marriage for Focus on the Family, years of experience in writing, speaking and working with couples on marriage issues, I have never come across something as strong and potent as Fireproof in helping couples visualize the exactness of real life marriage,” wrote Mitch Temple in a review of the film. “The producers, writers and actors do an exceptional job in portraying real life for many couples today. Yet, the brilliantly produced film radiates messages of authentic determination, faith and hope, even for those of us who have felt like giving up on our marriages."
“This movie moved me deeply,” he added.
To help publicize “Fireproof,” Focus on the Family’s flagship radio show is broadcasting Dr. James Dobson's interview with Alex and Stephen Kendrick, the film’s director and producer, on Sept. 22 and 23.
Focus on the Family is also providing marriage resources and counseling referrals to those couples profoundly impacted by the film.
“Tell everyone you know to attend opening weekend this stirring expression of marital restoration,” urged Temple. “Pray with us that God will overlay this nation with a renewed sense of the beauty of marriage and revival fueled by blatant determination to have the kind of marriage that He intends for us all.”
The upcoming release of “Fireproof” comes as married couples have become a minority in America, with studies showing that 50 percent of people – regardless of religious affiliation – will be divorced at least once in their lifetime.
And, more recently, a poll by Gallup’s 2008 Values and Beliefs survey earlier this year found that an alarming 70 percent of Americans now believe that divorce is “morally acceptable.” The latest figure – the highest on record – represents an 11 percent increase from just 7 years ago and a 3 percent increase from 2 years ago.
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I saw the 'Making of Fireproof'. Quite a bit of odd things happened. Like...there's a scene where there is a wreck at a RR crossing and they had to get the car on and off the tracks several times during the shoot and put it back on the track. It just so happened the older fellow who lived across the street from the shoot had a large forklift in his back yard.... He loved the 'Giants' movie and was all for helping them through the shoot at no charge. The use of the train engine was also donated by the RR company. The list just went on of things that just went way more right then normal!
"Films like this are obviously part of the heterosexual agenda to lure kids into their lifestyle. ."
It's a presentation of the gospel. It's about a relationship with God that hates behavior that offends Him. If He says (which He did) that homosexuality is 'disgusting' to Him then those in a relationship with Him don't do it. It isn't loving to do something that disgusts Him so.
This goes for quite a bit of behavior as well as homosexuality. Cheating on your wife. Cheating on your taxes. The list goes on.
chicago 24 said: "Films like this are obviously part of the heterosexual agenda to lure kids into their lifestyle. ."
LOL, now that's funny. "Lure" them to be normal??? To raise a family? to have children(the real way) haha! wow, now it's the heterosexual agenda, not the other way around. I'm sure science will "prove" one day that 95% of all children are born gay, and it is an evil heterosexual plot to deceive them into marrying a member of the opposite sex and having shildren. lol,you homos are hillarious.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
"FIREPROOF provides the church a powerful and relevant way to address the need and provide hope and healing through Jesus Christ."
Scott Evans, Founder and CEO, Outreach, Inc.
"FIREPROOF is going to do much more than entertain and stir hearts; this is a movie that will impact couples in a profound way for decades to come."
Dennis Rainey, President, FamilyLife
"FIREPROOF is a beautiful picture of how God can use one partner to completely turn a seemingly hopeless marriage around. What an encouragement!"
Rebekah Land, Ph.D., Marriage and Family Therapist
"On top of a powerful message and the potential to change lives and marriages, this is one great movie!"
Bubba Cathy, Senior Vice President, Chick-fil-A
"Anyone who is married or plans to be married will find FIREPROOF both inspirational and instructive. It is an excellent movie!"
Richard Land, President, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (SBC)
"What makes a movie worth seeing is a powerful story that is well told. FIREPROOF is a compelling, must-see film."
Bob Lepine, Co-Host, FamilyLife Today
"We gladly award five Doves, our highest rating, to this picture. Every couple in America should see this film! It is a life-changing experience."
Dove Foundation Review
"Finally a movie that promotes marriage as it should be: a Christ-centered, life-long commitment. FIREPROOF is awesome!"
Frank and Julie LaBod
"Amazing! Action-packed, heartwarming, and a great resource to help strengthen and affirm marriages!"
Dr. Gary Smalley, author of Change Your Heart, Change Your Life
"FIREPROOF dramatically affirms that a marriage works best when the husband, the wife, and God work together for its success."
Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight, The Knights of Columbus
"FIREPROOF is an excellent film that makes marriage-commitment real and attainable with Christ's grace."
Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, Archdiocese of Louisville
My wife and I had the opportunity to see the movie in Indianapolis during the Southern Baptist Convention. My wife and I thought it was excellent in teaching what it takes to have a strong healthy marriage and the sacrifices needed to make it work and those things that can easily mess it up and it doesn't come across like a Christian fairy tale and paints a genuine picture of a marriage in trouble and does not make either the husband or the wife the scapegoat. It doesn't have all the action of "Facing The Giants", but it will be a great teaching tool when it comes out on DVD.
To chicago24: YOU'RE RIGHT!!!!!
Films like this need more promotion because they do not have big hollywood budgets to plug the movies all over network television. Just like indie films never usually get to the big screen - they go straight to DVD because there is no budget. In this case - Christians who are concerned about the state of marriage in this country choose to take on the task of helping to get this movie seen. I for one will be supporting this movie. Anything that can be done to help preserve the sanctity of marriage is a worthy cause. The issue causing people to have negativity about the movie is that it is a Christian movie. There's no sex, no violence. Personally I've had enough of the world's movies - I'd like to see a few that reflect my beliefs. Non-Christians have 99.8% of the box office. Let us have our .02% in peace.
This is going to be like Expelled: panned by the critics and flopping at the box office. How do I know? Because the producers actually need to have these little fundraising outreach scams to prop up their product. If the movie is good it will sell well on its own and so doesn't need your endorsement. If the movie pans then it doesn't deserve your endorsement (do you really want hundreds of theaters showing that the best the Christian media can do is awful?).
Yes, teaching our children that a life-long loving marriage between one man and one woman is God's will and His way of rewarding His children, IS our agenda! Praise God!
I just watched "Facing the Giants", and this picture looks like another winner by Sherwood. Kirk Cameron was just on the Today show, hopefully this will attract enough interest in having a good showing at the box office this weekend.
Films like this are obviously part of the heterosexual agenda to lure kids into their lifestyle. . .