In November 2009, I met with Manny Edwards, a Christian man who happens to be a movie producer, writer and director. The topic was turning Debi’s book, The Vision (www.DebiPearl.com), into a full-length movie.
Manny’s thoughts on the movie storyline:
The Vision is the story of a small group of people who look at the great commission in a radical way—they take it seriously, which is considered fringe and bizarre these days. They use their income generating business to support their ministry, which is to distribute the Bible story in graphic novel form. They can freely distribute this book where Bibles are banned, and people who wouldn’t touch a Bible [can] become engrossed in the good news of salvation and come to Jesus.
What I found clever and intriguing about The Vision is its laser-tight relevance to the church in western culture. It uses the post-modernist trick of confusing the distinction between reality and fiction, but points to something that is true and good in an absolute sense, which turns post-modernism completely on its head. The story is a self-reflective call to action. ‘We’re in the end times,’ it says, ‘and there’s nothing more urgent than getting the good news to the lost.’
But it’s told in a way that can reach wealthy western audiences. The Vision has tremendous cinematic potential; exhilarating action sequences, romance, intrigue, and human and historic events on an epic scale. It needs to be made into a movie that is faithful to the standards it sets for itself. I am exploring ways to bring this story to the silver screen without compromising its entertainment value or its artistic or technical quality, and with the goal of returning a significant profit to No Greater Joy Ministries so they can multiply their efforts to publish the gospel ‘in all the world.’
I would love to hear your ideas. What do you find most interesting about this story? Would you watch it in a theater? Would you be interested in assisting in the production of a feature film? Send an email to me at [email protected] with ‘The Vision Movie’ in the subject line.
Manny is currently exploring distribution options as well as putting an investor package together.
Manny is a writer, producer and director at Brightline Pictures. He is currently in post-production on One Good Man, a feature film about a little league coach who uses baseball to strengthen father-son bonds in his community. The movie stars Burgess Jenkins from Remember the Titans, and is scheduled for nationwide theatrical release in late 2010. Manny lives and works near Nashville with his wife and five children.
Manny was one of two Executive Producers, as well as Co-director and Co-writer of Come What May (www.ComeWhatMayTheMovie.com), which tells the story of Caleb Hogan, who tries to overturn Roe v. Wade in a moot court championship. If Caleb argues what he truly believes, he stands to lose the most important competition of his life and the support of his mother. If he softens his stance, he might win the coveted title...but lose the heart of his teammate Rachel.
Come What May is a vivid reminder that choosing what is right is never easy, but it is always worth the cost.
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I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 4
© 1995–2024. No Greater Joy Ministries (NGJ) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ministry of Michael and Debi Pearl.
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We will be available to help in any way. It will be exciting to see it all come together for such a time as this!
Would love to see it as a movie, and would definetly watch it in the theatres.
This is one of the best stories I have ever read. The Lord has truly gifted you, Debi, in so many ways. Please know all of your books, articles, and CDs I have read/listened to have been a tremendous blessing. No Greater Joy Ministries has our fervent prayers. May God multiply your efforts above and beyond what any human mind can imagine!
A movie would be incredible. I know several people who would buy the movie in a heartbeat but I cant get them to read a book. This is exciting!
I just finished reading your book "The Vision". It was awesome! It has given me a lot to think about. I am trying to get my husband to read it now, but I think all of my family would watch it if it was a movie. I would like to get my 19 year old son to read it, also. He goes to University of Alaska Fairbanks and has been exposed to a lot this year. I think it would be good for him to read it and become more aware of the times that we are living in. We will be praying for you and all that you are trying to accomplish. May God richly bless you!
I just finished the book and loved it. I just couldn't put it down. It gave me a lot to think about and to pray about. I can't wait for the second book in this series to come out and I think the idea of the movie would be great. I don't know if the book is in spanish already but I think that this book (and the movie!) would be a big blessing to hispanic people. Although we live in Alaska, we are hispanic and I know many people from my country and other latin american countries with a deep desire to serve the Lord, to reach the nations with the Gospel. Many people will be really inspired and motivated.
God bless you all!
Love, Rebecca
I am sooo excited!! I love the Come What May movie and the Vision book is one of my favorites! I wonder what kind of help he will need and where he will be making the production. If I'm close enough I'd love to help!!
Jesus is Enough!
Would love another movie I can sit down and watch with my famly. Let use technology for good. Go For it!!!! Would definitely watch it in Theaters. Let us know if we can help.
I have read the book three times now, and am reading it the fourth time. It is the best book I ever read. A movie would be awesome! I'm curious where the production would take place, or in what ways I could help. I would love to be involved! God Bless.
I could not put the book down! I thought the characters were well developed and thought out. I found myself in one of them. A movie would be a great way to communicate the importance of evangelism. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I had no idea the statistics of the ever growing middle eastern community. I pray that this book reaches the hands of many and opens their eyes to the true freedom only God can provide.
I LOVED the book, but, was discouraged with some of the content, putting "headcoverings" down, wish it could have been different.