Interview: David A.R. White of Pure Flix and “God’s Not Dead”

Posted on March 19, 2014 at 8:00 am

David A.R. White (“Evening Shade”) is the founder/writer/director of Pure Flix, which makes films that “uplift and inspire the human spirit.”  He graciously took time to answer my questions about making faith-based films and what he has learned.  New films from Pure Flix include “God’s Not Dead” with Kevin Sorbo and “Mom’s Night Out,” an uproarious comedy starring Sarah Drew, Trace Adkins, and Patricia Heaton.

Why did you create Pure Flix?  What is your goal?  Who is your intended audience?

We created Pure Flix to make uplifting and inspiring content on a consistent, ongoing basis, so audiences would truly have an alternative to what Hollywood puts out.  Pure Flix produces faith and family films, so the audience is the entire family.

What are the most important lessons you learned from the writers and directors you worked with on television series like “Evening Shade?”

Evening Shade was such an eye-opening experience. I was 19 when I went on that show.  I had barely had an acting class.  So as Burt Reynolds continued to bring me back for the next three years, I learned so much from him and all the other legends that were on the show. People like Hal Holbrook, Charles Durning, Michael Jeter, Marilou Henner, etc.  One of the biggest things I walked away with was how Burt loved to work with his friends.  Most of these people he had done movies with for 20+ years, and I wanted to do the same.  Which is why in a lot of our films you see a lot of recognizable faces, good friends of mine from the last 20 years.

In the 50’s and 60’s, Hollywood studios were making films like “The Greatest Story Ever Told” and “King of Kings” and “A Man Called Peter.”  Why is it hard to get films like that made now?

Well this year would probably be the year to do that, as they are calling this the “Year of the Bible”.  I think there is always an ebb and flow in Hollywood about what is current.  And as people are responding to more and more life-affirming content, I think we will see more and more of those type of movies.

“Noah” has not opened yet and it is already controversial as some Christian groups say it departs from the Bible.  Is it hard to reach Christian audiences with big-budget movies directed at the mainstream?

I think it’s hard because the filmmakers don’t really believe in what they are making.  So for them, accuracy is not a priority in the movie and it becomes something else.

Can mainstream films deliver a spiritual message?  Can Pure Flix films reach an audience that is not church-going?

Yes, on both questions.  Pure Flix makes evangelistic films, but we also make family films. I think the viewer wants to see quality entertainment that the whole family can watch, and many nonbelievers watch our films because they can watch with their family and young kids.

Your films often have a refreshing sense of humor.  Why is that important?

I love comedy. Which is why I keep trying to bring comedies out like “Me Again”, “Marriage Retreat”, “Holyman Undercover”. I think it’s important we don’t take ourselves too seriously. We need to be able to laugh at ourselves; it’s very disarming and works wonders in relationships.

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Interview: Kevin Sorbo of “God’s Not Dead”

Posted on March 18, 2014 at 8:00 am

It was great to catch up with Kevin Sorbo to hear about his new role as an atheist professor with a student who is a committed Christian in “God’s Not Dead” from Pure Flix.

The last time I talked to you, you were playing a preacher!  Now you’re playing a professor who not only does not believe in God, but will not allow his students to believe.  Was that a challenge for you?

Not really.  It’s always in the script.  Great writing on this and a great story.  I was hooked as I read it for the first time.  I have met enough atheists in my day to get a grasp for the character anyway.

People always struggle with the eternal question about where God is when bad things happen.  What does this movie want them to know?

Free will.  God gave us that.  Can’t have good without evil.  Evil will always be there.  It is how we act and react to evil that defines who we are.  Life is all about choices.  We know what is right and we know what is wrong.  We don’t always make the right choice.  So what we do after we fall is what builds, or destroys, one’s character.

Why did you want to play this role?

Loved the script.  As an actor I am drawn to many personalities and this one just seemed like a chance to show people no matter where you are in your life, you can make find a place and time to redeem yourself and find the hope you either shut out or thought was no longer available to you.

Poster @Pure Flix
Poster (c)Pure Flix

Preachers, professors, and actors all perform in front of an audience.  How did your experience as an actor help you create this character’s classroom persona?

As i said…..it was in the wonderful script.  I have done the college life and I drew from professors in my past.

You have worked with David A.R. White before — what does he bring to a film?

This was the first time David and i worked together as actors.  I shot a movie he produced a few years ago called “What If….” and I did a Christmas movie called, “Christmas Angel.”  David is a pro and was easy to work with on and off the set.

Who should see this film?

I hate to preach to the choir, so I hope the choir comes to see this movie just because it is a wonderful family film.  I really want the fence sitters out there to come and form their own opinions about if there is a God.  I would love atheists to come and see this film as well.  I realize we can’t change everyone’s mind out there, but hopefully we make some of them reflect and wonder.

What do you hope families will talk about when they see this movie?

This movie will create dialogue.  That is good.  It means it has struck a chord with people enough to make them bring up the issues this movie exposes.

Hollywood is producing some big Bible stories this year.  Why does this seem to be the moment for these films?

People want these movies.  Simple as that.  They want to have movies that have a positive message and the whole family can watch.  I don’t think its going to slow down anytime soon.

 

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