Decades 2000 to 2010

DECADES FROM 2000 TO 2010

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FROM DEATH TO REBIRTH

In the 80s and early 90s, there was a drop in the use of Christian films, this was attributed to two trends in the Church: Sunday night services in many churches were interrupted and it was during this time that many churches showed the films. A large number of churches have replaced movie projectors with VCRs and television sets. It would take time for video projectors to be widely adopted in churches. The drop in movie rentals has led to the closure of several Christian film libraries. The Association of Christian Film Distributors has reinvented itself as an International Christian Visual Media. Many film producers have retired the business. Some producers have turned to distribution as a means of financial survival. Gospel Films started the portal, Gospelcom.net web in 1994. Three years later, the nonprofit organization changed its name to Gospel Communications International. Filmmaker Rich Christiano was one of the first to launch a website. In 1998, Norton Rodrigues started

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ChristianFilmmaker.com. Soon, mail order catalogs for churches would diminish in importance as the promotion of internet and television would reach a new audience the Christian consumer. Filmmakers began to partner with television ministries and their videos were offered in exchange for donations. In 1994, Rich Christiano and the Family Satellite Service Network began to work together to produce “Family at the theater”, a weekly hour showing two dramatic series of Christian films. Years later, the Inspiration Network would air Reel INSP on Saturday nights. In 2001, the broadcast network was the inspiration for the afternoon and night television premiere without commercial breaks. After the film ended, the network showed an interview with the director and two of the actors, on television premieres are now becoming a popular way to promote Christian films.

LEFT BEHIND

Based on romance books with the same title Left Behind, was produced in 2000 by Cloud Ten Pictures

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and with the support of Namesake Entertainment. The first film tells the story of an international flight to London, journalist Buck Williams (Kirk Cameron) and pilot Rayford Steele (Brad Johnson) find themselves in the midst of the most incredible event in history. Suddenly, without any warning, dozens of passengers simply disappear into the air. But that is not all. It soon becomes clear that millions of people are disappearing. And as chaos and anarchy take over the world, these two men set out on different directions in a desperate search for answers. Based on the highly successful book in the United States, “Left Behind” is full of suspense, action and adventure. An engaging film that takes you on a journey through a most takes you on a journey through one of the most mysterious books in the Bible, "The Book of Revelation".

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The film Left Behind cost $ 17 million (seventeen million dollars), had its release in the United States. In February 2001, it opened in 867 rooms and generated $ 4.3 million in 80 days, after its release in Video / DVD (October / 00), sold more than 3 million copies, with the biggest sale in the world. independent sector, receiving in 2001 the Video Software Dealer Association (VSDA) award. The film also received awards from some festivals: Inspirational Life Awards, Thunderbird International Film Festival, WYSIMYG Christian Film Festival. The film was directed by Vic Sarin.

LEFT BEHIND 2 –TRIBULATION FORCE

After that, in 2002, the series sequence, Left Behind 2: Tribulation Force, was produced. The film begins after the disappearance of millions of people, the world Desperate

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appeals to United Nations President Nicolae Carpathia (Gordon Currie). Placed on a pedestal, idolized and gaining the trust of those left behind, he feels like he owns the world, with the planet at his feet. But thousands of kilometers away, a group, knows the true and sinister identity of the ruler. Self-titled “Tribulation Command”, the group desperately tries to share what they know they are willing to listen to, even at the risk of their own lives. They embarked on this dangerous mission trying to open the eyes of the world to the truth, the journalist Buck Wiliams (Kirk Camerom), Pastor Bruce Barnes (Clarence Gilyard), the pilot Rayford Steele (Brad Johnson) and his daughter Chloe (Janaya Stephens). The film was directed by Bill Corcoran.

LEFT BEHIND 3 - WORLD AT WAR

In 2005, the film Left Behind III: World at War was produced, the 3rd film in the series “Left Behind”, the film talks about the world prophesied in the book of Revelation, and shows that world leader Nicolae Carpathia has finally accomplished the unimaginable, he

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has managed to unite the world in peace and end the bloodshed that has dominated the world since the beginning of time. American President Gerald Fitzhugh (played by Oscar winner Lou Gosset, Jr., best actor supporting character in The Force of Destiny, 1983) has always had that dream and dedicated his presidency to ensuring that the most powerful nation in the world, did not prevent this dream. But when an illustrated assassination attempt opens his eyes to an underworld and a terrifying glimpse of a sinister plot, Fitzhugh must admit the agonizing truth, World War 3 is imminent and his dedication to the dream of peace. left the United States of America without defense power. With the help of investigative reporter Buck Williams (Kirk Cameron from Left Behind and the TV series

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Growing Pains) and his underworld Tribulation Force, he fights the clock, insurmountable barriers and his own closed mind to try to find a way to stop the death of millions of people and perhaps the very end of the story. In total there would be 13 films, but the author of the book prevented the production of the 4th film, claiming that the series was poorly produced, which took years in court until they had to produce the series again.

LEFT BEHIND

In 2014 they released the Remake of the film “Left Behind”, The Left Apocalypse debuted in the United States on October 2, 2014, ranking 6th among the most viewed in the first week. The film did not have the expected success in the United States, however, in Brazil the situation was different. The distributor of the

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film (Imagem Filmes) did not want to keep the name of the film, and it is not that the strategy worked! The film was released on October 23 of the same year, in Brazil, in the first and second week it was in 5th place of the most seen in cinemas, taking in total more than 620 thousand people in the cinema, at the time, this was the evangelical Christian film as the biggest box office in Brazil. Executive producers of the film were Paul Lalonde and J. David Williams. The producer was Michael Walker, screenplay by Paul Lalonde & John Patus, the director was Vic Armstrong. The film starred Nicolas Cage, Chad Michael Murray and Ashley Tisdale and directed by Vic Armstrong. The film cost $ 16 million (sixteen million dollars). The film raised $ 6,300,147 in the United States (six million, three hundred thousand, one hundred forty-seven dollars). Adapted from one of the most impressive prophecies in the Bible, The film “Apocalypse” narrates the last days on Earth, before and after the rapture. In an interpretation of the events described in the Holy

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Bible, the plot follows the story of a small group of survivors who are left behind with millions of others after part of the Earth's population has suddenly disappeared. Investigating the causes of this event, journalist Buck Williams (Chad Michael Murray) crosses the path of aircraft pilot Rayford Steele (Nicolas Cage) and his daughter Chloe Steele (Cassi Thomson). They will have to help Pastor Bruce Barnes (Lance E. Nichols) to understand what's going on while the world collapses, starting a new era of chaos and conflict.

MERCY STREETS

Other important cinematographic releases by Christian filmmakers include Mercy Streets produced in 2000. It is a classic story of twin brothers exchanged lives, when a deal goes bad between a cruel criminal,

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MEGIDDO

Roma (Eric Roberts) and his partner John (David AR White), flees the city with the money. John seeks help from his distant twin brother, Jeremiah (also David White), a pastor. But the pastor ends up being taken in the brother's place by criminals. Now the preacher and the con man are pushed into the other's life, and while Jeremiah is forced to help Rome withdraw a million-dollar scam, John becomes pastor of the church, and begins to find ways to make a profit. But Jeremiah escapes Rome, and soon finds himself face to face with his distant brother. In the film, actor David AR White played two people. The film, directed by Jon Gunn, opened in American theaters on November 5, 2000, raising $ 173,599 (one

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hundred and seventy-three thousand five hundred and ninety-nine dollars).

EXTREME DAYS

Extreme Days, is a film produced in 2001, which talks about a high-energy travel adventure with four men, all the best friends and a cousin, called Jessie (Cassidy Rae). A new generation of athletes with personalities that share the desire for the extreme. O cast of characters continually create an environment of hilarious circumstances, but also discover much more about themselves than they ever knew. Pressure, love, trust, God, friendships, pain, spiritual truths and the discovery of personal limits are at the heart of this film, produced by Cindy Bond and Betsy Chasse and directed by Eric Hannah.

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The film opened in American theaters on September 30, 2001, raising $ 104,753 (one million, forty-seven thousand, five hundred and fifty-three dollars). September 21, 2001, was the date of the release in the American cinemas of the film “Megiddo”, in its cover appeared the name “Omega Code 2”, but in reality it’s not a continuation of the film, better produced version about the end times, and the story is different. The film was produced by TBN Films and distributed by 8x entertainment. Although the genre of the film is Action and Fiction, it can be said that the film is also a terror. It talks about a world on the verge of the Apocalypse, the final battle between good and evil takes place in the valley of Megiddo, an old word for the place known as Armageddon. Evil forces have amassed a powerful army for a war that pits everyone against everyone. Stone Alexander, a powerful man, has an evil plan to eradicate all of humanity. A single person can stop you, your brother David. But he will need the power of God to lead him and help him to reveal the true nature of this battle. The film cost $ 22 billion (twenty-two million dollars) and

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raised only $ 6047691 (six million dollars and forty-seven and six hundred and ninety-one dollars). The film directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith, had in its cast Michael York (Stone Alexander), Michael Biehn (David Alexander), Joseph Makkar (Arab Leader), Guy Siner (British Leader) and other actors, was in 13th place of the most viewed in American cinemas on their first weekend.

THE GIFT OF CHRISTIAN FILMS

Recent technological changes are changing the Christian film industry. After the DVDs replaced K tapes, ₇ now less and less, we see DVDs of films being sold in stores, and the rental companies all closed. Currently, films continue to be shown in theaters the same way they were in the beginning, and then go to digital sales platforms or movie rental platforms.

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Filmmaker Danny Carralles released the film “Escape From Hell”, one of the first Christian films to be produced in high definition videos, in 2001. Most high-budget Christian films were shot on high definition video . The low cost of digital video cameras, makes lower budget productions, churches produce many films.

THE DISTRIBUTION OF FILMS GROWS IN CINEMAS

Christian filmmakers are gaining more experience in theatrical distributions. During 2002-2003, filmmaker Rich Christiano, released the movie "Time Changer", without the support of a large studio to Five and Two Pictures in partnership with Christian radio stations, did the promotion and used a booking agency to enter at the movies. The film tells the fictional story that takes place in the

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year 1890, seminar professor Russell Carlisle (D. David Morin-Precious Commitment) writes a thesis called “The Changing Times”. Your book is about to receive the endorsement and support of the Grace Bible Seminar board until your colleague Dr. Norris Anderson (Gavin MacLeod-The Love Boat) raises an objection. Dr. Anderson believes that what Carlisle has written could have a great impact on generations yet for coming. Using a secret time machine he built, Dr. Anderson has sent Carlisle over 100 years for the future. It is the unique opportunity to see what your thesis and beliefs will become.

THE PASSION OF CHRIST

The filmmakers produced several films talking about the life of Jesus, but like Mel Gibson's film, he never had.

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The film The Passion of the Christ premiered in American theaters on February 27, 2004, ranking first. The production of the film cost $ 30,000,000 (thirty million dollars) and raised worldwide $ 612054428 (six hundred and twelve million, fifty-four thousand andfour hundred and twenty eight thousand dollars). In Brazil the film took 6845344 (six million, eight hundred and forty-five thousand, three hundred and forty-four) people in the movie theater. The film starred Jim Caviezel (Jesus) and Maia Morgenstern (maria). The film has been very controversial and has received mixed reviews, with some critics who claim that the extreme violence in the film “obscures its message”. He received 3 Oscar nominations in the following categories: Best Photography, Best Makeup and Best Soundtrack.

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He received a nomination at the MTV Movie Awards for Best Actor (Jim Caviezel). The film tells the last 12 hours of the life of Jesus of Nazareth (James Caviezel). In the middle of the night, Jesus is betrayed by Judas (Luca Lionello) and is arrested by soldiers on the Mount of Olives, under the command of Hebrew religious, who were led by Caiaphas (Matti Sbraglia). After being severely beaten by his captors, Jesus is handed over to the Roman governor in Judea, Poncio Pilatos (Hristo Shopov), because only he could order the death penalty for Jesus. Pilate does not understand what that man could have done so horribly to ask for the maximum penalty and it was the Hebrews who asked for this. Pilate tries to pass the decision on to Herod (Luca de Domenicis), governor of Galilee, as Jesus was from there. Herod also finds nothing that incriminates Jesus and the matter returns to Pilate, who is losing control of the situation while a good part of the population asks that Jesus be crucified. Trying to calm the people and the province, which he detests, Pilate gives in under the incriminating looks of Claudia

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(Claudia Gerini), his wife, who considers Jesus a saint.

PURE FLIX

In 2005 David A. R. White, Russell Wolfe, Michael Scott and Elizabeth Travis, founded Pure Flix, a film production company related to evangelical Christianity. The headquarters is located in Scottsdale, United States. She produced films such as “Deus Não Morto” released in 2014 and “In defense of Christ” released in 2017. In 2015, the company launched a film and television series platform streaming over the Internet.

RELIGIOUS REFORM IN TELEVISION

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Greg Robbins, producer and lead actor on the television series Pastor Greg, wants to reform religious television, replacing bad televangelists with dramatic divine programming. New resources and sources of revenue were needed to produce this schedule. A combination of merchandising advertising and sponsorship could make the profitable dramatic programming. Christian filmmakers could also pursue pay-per-view and video-ondemand as a way of placing films on cable and satellite. The reform effort will still require Christian prophets to test networks to try to remove any televangelist who issues false prophecies on TV.

FACING THE GIANTS

The movie Facing the Giants debuted in American theaters on September 29, 2006, raising $ 407,000.00

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(four hundred and seven thousand dollars) and ranking 12th in the most viewed ranking. The production cost $ 100,000.00 (one hundred thousand dollars) and thefilm raised a total of more than $ 10 billion (ten million dollars). The film tells the story of a football coach who trains for six years at a school, Grant Taylor (Alex Kendrick) has never been able to take his Shiloh Eagles team to a winning season. Facing seemingly insurmountable professional and personal crises, the idea of giving up has never seemed so attractive. It is only after an unexpected visitor challenges him to believe in the power of faith, that he discovers the strength of perseverance to win. The film is a life lesson that we always have to do. We always have to give glory to God regardless of defeat or victory. The film was directed by Alex Kendrick, the same played by coach

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Grant Taylor.

FLYWHEEL

The Kendrick brothers' first film, Flywheel, was produced in 2003 and was released in a few theaters in US theaters and The film's editing was completed a few hours before its premiere. He became known worldwide only after the success of the film “Challenging the Giants”, written by the Kendrick brothers and starring Alex Kendrick (the trainer Grant Taylor of the film “Challenging the Giants”). The film was reissued and the image and audio quality of the film improved, so that it could be released worldwide. The Turn will make you laugh and cry once more! Jan Austin wants to sell used cars in the worst way, and that's exactly how he does business at his dealership. Promising a lot more than he can do, he

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will do whatever it takes to sell a car. His manipulative way influences all his relationships, even his wife and son don't trust him. But while Jay works on restoring a classic convertible, he begins to see that God is working on his restoration as well. Facing the reality of how he truly leads himself, Jay Austin begins his life's journey when he learns to honor God with his business, his relationships and his life!

TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL

Touched By An Angel is a dramatic television series from the United States that started airing in 1994 and had its last episode aired in 2003, which chronicles about the missions of a group of angels sent by God. The series was created by John Masius and produced by Martha Williamson. It was originally aired

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by CBS in the United States. In Brazil it was shown by Rede Globo, Rede Bandeirantes and Rede 21, having its last exhibition in Brazil by Warner Channel until 2007. The series had a total of 212 episodes in 9 seasons. The stories revolved around a person, or group of people, who come to a crossroads in their lives with a big problem ahead of them or a difficult decision to make. Then the angels enter the scene, bringing messages directly from God and helping them with their problems. Monica (Roma Downey), as the main angel, is always learning to help human beings with their needs and doubts. At the premiere of the series, supervisor Tess (played by evangelical singer, actress and pastor Della Reese) guides Monica in her first job, in which case she could be promoted as an angel from her participation in a search and rescue operation. In Brazil, the series was released on DVD by BV films in 2010 with another name, “An angel in my life”, however it released only 8 episodes.

FIREPROOF

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In 2008 the film “Fireproof (Fireproof)” was produced. The film has 118 minutes and was directed by Alex Kendrick, the drama tells the story of the firefighter Caleb Holt, who is dedicated to work, but faces problems in the marriage. The film was released in Brazil first by BV Films under the title "Fireproof" and then by Sony Pictures with a name change, now "Fireproof", to both divided the distribution in the country. The production value was $ 500,000.00 (five hundred thousand dollars) and raised more than $ 33,000,000.00 (thirty-three million dollars).

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The film premiered in 839 American movie theaters on September 26, 2008, raising $ 2,298,821, making it the 3rd most viewed, second only to the Eagle Eye films, which ranked 1st and Storm Nights ( Nights in Rodanthe) that came in 2nd. The actor who was the protagonist of the film, Kirk Cameron refused to kiss the close who played his wife in the film, said he only kissed his wife. So at the time of the kiss, instead of kissing the woman who was playing his wife, he kissed his real wife. But with a shadow so that the public would not notice. The film was a success in the world, people with crises in their marriage saw the hope of rebuilding their marriage there, however, even after the film, the number of divorces remained high, and Christians are the most divorced, compared to all religions, even though the Bible is against it.

TO SAVE A LIFE

The film To Save a Life, which was directed by Brian Baugh, opened in American theaters on January 22, 2010. The production of the film cost $ 500,000 (five

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hundred thousand dollars) and grossed a total of $ 3777210 (three million, seven hundred and seventyseven thousand, two hundred and ten dollars). The film was in 14th place on its opening day. The film was supported by the following producers: Samuel Goldwyn Films, Outreach Films, Accelerated Entertainment and New Song Pictures, was released in Brazil on DVD by BV Films. The film tells the story of Jake Taylor, a young man who has everything: fame, a scholarship by the basketball team, the girlfriend who was the most desired girl in high school. On the other hand, Roger Dawson had nothing. I had no friends and no hope. Roger was always humiliated and left out. What could be worse. Jake and Roger were best friends as children, but Jake's popularity drove them away, since Roger was not as stripped down as Jake. Roger no longer suited Jake's lifestyle or that of

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any other group of people. This was the end of the world for Roger, which made him take a gun to school, hidden in his backpack. Hurt by his lifestyle, he made a tragic decision: take his own life. Jake, desperate, cannot stop Roger and this makes him feel guilty, shaken in his "perfect world". Something then makes Jake see the world in another way and makes him question his way of living. Jake kept asking himself, "Could I have saved Roger?" Seeking an answer to this question, Jake comes across another helpless and alone young man on his way. Jake then approaches this young man, but he fears that this could cost his friends, his girlfriend, his dreams and his reputation. Jake comes to conclusion that it is worth paying this price to have the answer to the most important question: "What do I really want from my life?". In Brazil BV Films ran an evangelistic campaign, using this film. This was mentioned in the book “The history of Christian films in Brazil”.

SUING THE DEVIL

In 2010 Mouthwatering Productions, produced the film

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“Suing the Devil" and Graça Filmes brought him to Brazil. A spiritual battle that takes place in a court, the film The Devil in the Dock is a highconcept legal thriller, will leave you breathless and vibrating. Through a television channel, the whole world is watching the trial of century, to see who will emerge victorious. On the one hand, Luke O'Brien (Bart Bronsen), a discouraged salesman who became a law student and decides to sue, in 8 trillion dollars, the person responsible for everything bad that happened to him. On the other, Satan himself, who, in order to defend himself, besides appearing in the flesh on the last day before Luke scheduled a trial in absentia, has in his legal team the ten best lawyers in the country. The film also features actors Corbin Bernsen, Campos Shannen and Rebecca St. James, from Desafiando

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giants, in addition to the special participation of the Hillsong group. Directed by Timothy A. Chey, the film features actors Malcolm McDowell (Satan), Shannen Fields (Gwen O'Brien), Corbin Bernsen (Barry Polk), Tom Sizemore (Tony 'The Hip' Anzaldo) and others.