'The Lost Medallion' Writer Bill Muir: Kids Need 'Wholesome, Entertaining' Films (VIDEO)
"The Lost Medallion" hits theaters on Friday, March 1. It's a family-friendly film filled with action and adventure, faith and humor. Bill Muir, the writer, director and producer of the film, spoke with The Christian Post about the film and the state of the entertainment industry today.
The Christian Post: Where did you get the idea for the film?
Muir: It came out of seeing a woman looking for a family-friendly movie, not finding one, and then walking away. I thought I needed to do a movie that would allow families to see an action movie. I don't know where the idea originally came from … the boy discovers a medallion … kind of like Indiana Jones and allowing kids to see how God loves them, created them for this moment, and out of that will come awareness. It is our dream that that kind of dialogue within the movie, that kids will become aware of God's love and begin a life journey.
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I think there's a need for wholesome, entertaining movie for kids [aged 6-14]. We found in our testing and viewing that parents and grandparents love it, too. I just finished my fourth novel, which came out of "The Lost Medallion" as a series, so there is plenty of material to work into film, but that's based on how well the film does.
CP: Have you always been this passionate about faith and the entertainment industry?
Muir: I went to Moody Bible College and was later a teacher of evangelism and spoke to children about evangelism. I've always had that part of me who was an evangelist and wanted people to know about Christ. While I was a speaker, I had a friend who helped turn words into short films that were well received. Around 2005, I thought maybe it was time to do a feature film, reach a larger marketplace, not just the church. It's my dream that parents would start talking to their children about faith, love, kindness, and then about Jesus.
We defined our film as a "faith-filled, God-affirming" film rather than a "Christian" film. We hope that there is dialogue, not a monologue; it's a springboard into having those conversations.
I find it easy to speak to and write to younger audiences; I've always worked with sects of teenagers. I find that there is still a part of me that loves the innocence and to do a film for high schoolers would require an edginess that I am not comfortable with just yet. We're losing our innocence at a younger age due to the television and films they're watching. I think there is a simple story telling that people will think is real and honest.
What was fun in this film was that I made this film to say that boys and girls can be friends and heroes without sex getting in the way. There were many themes softly spoken to all kinds of people without them feeling like they were being preached to.
There is a 12-minute, award-winning film, "Beyond the Sky," that those who see "The Lost Medallion" will be able to view for free. The short film is a companion to "Medallion" and can be used to foster dialogue and answer any questions viewers may have about faith.
Visit www.thelostmedallion.com for more information or to view "Beyond the Sky."
Watch a trailer for the movie HERE:
