AREA 23A KEVIN MILLER XI PRODUCTIONS “HELLBOUND?” … · 2015. 1. 12. · area 23a and kevin miller xi productions present “hellbound?” director of photography ben eisner

AREA 23A AND KEVIN MILLER XI PRODUCTIONS PRESENT “HELLBOUND?” DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY BEN EISNER EDITED BY SIMON TONDEUR ORIGINAL SCORE BY MARCUS ZUHR ADDITIONAL MUSIC BY ARI NEUFELD, CREMATORIA AND YUCA EXECUTIVE PRODUCER DAVID KRYSKO PRODUCED BY DAVID REMPEL & KEVIN MILLER WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY KEVIN MILLER

HELLBOUNDTHEMOVIE.COM

A PROVOCATIVE, FEATURE-LENGTH DOCUMENTARY THAT WILL ENSURE YOU NEVER LOOK AT HELL THE SAME WAY AGAIN!

EPK

HELLBOUND?Running time: 85 minutes(not yet rated)

hellboundthemovie.com

WRITER/DIRECTORKevin Miller - IMDb

PRESS

NEW YORKMurphy PRJohn Murphy [email protected]

LOS ANGELESMPRM CommunicationsMark [email protected] ext.4228

CANADAA. M. Public RelationsAnna Maria Muccilli Tel: (416) 969-9930Email: [email protected]

THEATRICAL DISTRIBUTOR

Area23aKirt [email protected] 310.399.7937

FILM DESCRIPTION

Does hell exist? If so, who ends up there, and why? Featuring an eclectic group of authors, theologians, pastors, social commentators and musicians, HELLBOUND? is a provocative, feature-length documentary that looks at why we are so bound to the idea of hell and how our beliefs about hell affect the world we are creating today.

FILM SUMMARY

In February 2011, Rob Bell—pastor of one of the largest and most influential churches in America—released a two-minute trailer to promote his new book Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived. Immediately, a firestorm of criticism erupted across the blogosphere, with p r o m i n e n t p a s t o r J o h n P i p e r e f f e c t i v e l y excommunicating Bell in his now infamous three-word tweet: “Farewell, Rob Bell.” Others were quick to add their condemnation, even though no one had read the book. Over the next several weeks, the controversy landed Bell—and hell—on CNN, MSNBC, the cover of TIME magazine and numerous other media platforms.

Why were people so upset? Because Bell—a prominent evangelical “insider”—dared to raise questions about the traditional view of hell as a place of eternal torment for the wicked. Oddly enough, no one knew exactly where Bell stood on this issue. But for a large group of Christians, merely questioning the traditional view was crime enough.

While Bell’s questions put him on the hot seat, the dilemma he was seeking to address is hardly new. For centuries, the traditional view of hell has presented us with a dilemma: If God is our pure, all-loving Creator, can he really allow (presumably) billions of people to suffer in hell for eternity? If God is good, he must find a way to deal with evil, but doesn’t the traditional view of hell tip the scales of justice too far in the other direction? To many people, it seems like we can have a good God or we can have the traditional view of hell, but we can’t have both…

Some people simply resign themselves to the mystery, hoping the logic of damnation will be revealed in the life to come. Others suggest alternate views, such as Annihilationism (the souls of the damned are extinguished after the Day of Judgment) or Universalism (everyone is eventually reconciled to God). Still others become so frustrated that they finally walk away from Christianity altogether.

Is it possible we’ve gotten hell wrong? Or are recent challenges to the traditional view a vain attempt to avoid the inevitable? Featuring an eclectic group of authors, theologians, pastors, musicians and social commentators, HELLBOUND? is a feature-length documentary that asks why we are so bound to the idea of hell and what our view of hell reveals about how we perceive God, the Bible and, ultimately, ourselves.

http://www.hellboundthemovie.comhttp://www.hellboundthemovie.comhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm1939777/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1939777/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

Throughout history, Christians have disagreed about pretty much everything. And whenever these disagreements come up, certain doctrines or beliefs become a sort of litmus test to determine insiders and outsiders: Are you one of us or are you one of them? Are you our kind of Christian or are you some other kind of Christian, perhaps a new kind of Christian, a Christian whom we’re really not sure we can trust? The current debate over hell is a per fect example of this dynamic at work.

Whenever I see the battle lines being drawn like this, it piques my interest, because I know there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes. On the surface, people are arguing about theology. But underneath lurk all kinds of personal, political, religious and even economic agendas.

HELLBOUND? is my attempt to get to the bottom of the current debate over hell. Why is it happening? Why is it happening right now? And of all the doctrines we could be arguing about, why are Christians so hot and bothered about hell?

Like any classic power struggle, this debate boils down to a scrappy group of underdogs seeking to overturn the status quo. In this case, the underdogs are a growing number of Christians called “Universalists” who argue that the Christian message should be reframed to include redemption for anyone and everyone. Meanwhile, the establishment is holding the line on an exclusive Gospel, where those who fail to pass the test of faith are condemned to an eternity of torment and isolation from all that is good.

While hell is the current flashpoint, I believe this debate is merely a warning tremor signaling a potential seismic shift in the religious landscape. As traditionalist pastor and writer Kevin DeYoung recently wrote:

At the very heart of this controversy… we really do have two different Gods. The stakes are that high… Both sides cannot be right. As much as some voices in evangelicalism will suggest that we should all get along and learn from each other and listen for the Spirit speaking in our midst, the fact is we have two irreconcilable views of God… Delight or deception, suffering or salvation—yes, even heaven or hell—may hang in the balance.

How all of this shakes out is still an open question. HELLBOUND? certainly isn’t the last word on hell, but it is a great starting point for anyone who has ever wondered—or worried—about their eternal fate.




PRESS







FILMMAKERS

Kevin MillerWriter/Director/ProducerDespite dwelling on hell for far longer than most would recommend, Kevin maintains an optimistic outlook on life–and death. Originally from Foam Lake, Saskatchewan, Kevin always dreamed of being in the movie business but never actually believed he’d get there. So he’s as surprised as anyone to go onto imdb.com and find all of those credits listed under his name. Some of his most recent projects include spOILed, Sex+Money, With God On Our Side and Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed–not to mention a brief stint portraying Lex Luthor on Smallville. While he’s had a great time working on so many varied and fascinating projects, there’s nothing like being in the driver’s seat of his own film. It’s a great opportunity to apply everything he’s learned over the years and see if he really knows what he’s doing. Looks like we’ll all find out this September when HELLBOUND? hits theaters. When he’s not making films, Kevin can be found hanging out with his wife and four children and occasionally sneaking away to play hockey, hike, fish or skateboard.

David RempelProducerOriginally from Chilliwack, BC, David was inspired to get into the film biz not by the films of Ingmar Bergman or Martin Scorsese but by the TV series Chips. Since obtaining a BA in film production at Biola University, David has spent the last seven years working on the creative side of television and feature film production. During that time, he has co-produced or executive produced numerous made-for-television movies, including Held Hostage, Storm Seekers, Tornado Valley, Come Dance at my Wedding and Toxic Skies. While at Biola, David interned at Phoenix Pictures and Mel Gibson’s Icon Productions, where they happened to be making a little picture called The Passion of the Christ. Although you’d never guess it from his film credits, David’s true passion is baseball. In fact, at one point he was actually invited to join the Pittsburgh Pirates instructional league. Although David never made it to the big leagues, he’s still holding out hope that one of his three sons might ultimately achieve that dream.

Dave KryskoExecutive ProducerDave Krysko began his career as a musician, spending his early years touring across North America. In the 1980s, he shifted into audio and video production and then web site design and interactive online solutions for various high profile companies. This eventually led him to co-found Club Penguin, a hugely successful online virtual world for kids that has had a huge impact on the children’s gaming industry. The Walt Disney Company was so impressed with Club Penguin that in 2007, it purchased the company from its founders. Upon leaving the Walt Disney Company as a Senior Vice-President in 2010, Dave founded Davara Enterprises, which invests in various culture-making businesses. Dave is also a longtime philanthropist, having been involved in humanitarian work in Canada, Mexico and Romania. He co-founded the Karis Support Society, which assists women who are struggling with addictions; created the Krysko Family Foundation, which helps impoverished Canadian families; and spearheaded the creation of the New Horizon Foundation, a charitable organization committed to improving the lives of children and families around the world. Most important of all, he funded the production of HELLBOUND? And for that, Kevin and his team are eternally grateful.




PRESS







Simon TondeurEditorWhen he isn’t passing the buck, you can usually find Simon trying to pass himself off as an American. Originally from London, Simon now lives in the Los Angeles area with his wife and two boys. But he still insists on using that nefarious form of artificial intelligence known as a “British accent.” Simon and Kevin’s working relationship goes all the way back to Kevin’s first feature, After…, a fact that Simon construes as a license to mock Kevin’s every foible with merciless intensity. Other Miller/Tondeur collaborations include Sex+Money, No Saints for Sinners, Expelled and Hakani. After working together for so long, Simon and Kevin have attained a certain degree of synergy. You could even call them the dynamic duo. The only problem is, they both think they’re Batman…

Ben EisnerDirector of Photography/Second Unit DirectorWhat do coffee, cheese, Thomas Merton, Milwaukee and the Green Bay Packers all have in common? Answer: Ben Eisner smells like all of them. And that’s on a good day. On a slightly more serious note, when Ben isn’t raving about how much better life is in Wisconsin, he’s riding shotgun and helping us find our way to our next shoot–or our next meal–on his handy GPS. Oh yeah, and every once in a while he picks up a camera and knocks off some amazing shots. In addition to his fantastic work on HELLBOUND?, Ben has directed numerous music videos, television pilots and documentary projects for marquee music companies like Capitol Records, Warner Brothers, Sony BMG and EMI Music Group. He has also directed and served as director of photography on commercials for such brands as GE, Verizon, Case IH, Marquette University and Masterlock. And in case you aren’t suitably impressed by that long list of household names, Ben also plays a mean drum solo. So beat it.




PRESS







PRODUCTION CREDITS

CREWProduction Company: Kevin Miller XI Productions Inc.

Director: Kevin MillerExecutive Producer: Dave KryskoProducers: David Rempel, Kevin Miller

Director of Photography: Ben EisnerSecond Unit Director: Ben EisnerIsrael Unit Director: Porter Speakman, Jr.Second Unit Producer: Kipp ZavadaEditor: Simon TondeurWritten by: Kevin MillerOriginal Score: Marcus ZuhrAdditional Music by: Ari Neufeld, Crematoria and YUCASound Designer: Murray StillerAssistant Sound Editor: Jeremy TherrienRerecording Mixer: Murray StillerProduction Assistants: Simeon Muller, Adam Wormald, Jonathan O’Brien, Huw Miller CASTPrincipal cast members

William Paul Young – Author, The ShackBrian McLaren – Author, The Last Word and the Word After ThatFrank Schaeffer – Author, Crazy for GodMark Driscoll – Pastor, Mars Hill ChurchGregory A. Boyd – Pastor, Woodland Hills ChurchMike Bickle – Director, International House of PrayerOderus Urungus – Vocalist, GWARNecrobutcher – Bassist, MayhemGlen Benton – Vocalist, DeicideDavid Vincent – Vocalist, Morbid AngelOle Luger La’Fay Walsh – Vocalist, SolbrudHank Hanegraaff – Radio Host, “The Bible Answer Man”Ray Comfort – Evangelist, Way of the MasterKevin DeYoung – Pastor, University Reformed ChurchJustin Taylor – Blogger, Between Two WorldsBrad Jersak – Author, Her Gates Will Never Be ShutRobin Parry – Author, The Evangelical UniversalistKevin Miller – FilmmakerJaime Clark-Soles – Theologian, Perkins Theological SeminarySharon Baker – Author, Razing HellMichael Hardin – Founder, Preaching PeaceDavid Bruce – Founder, Hollywoodjesus.comChad Holtz – Former pastorBob Larson – ExorcistRobert McKee – Author, StoryArchbishop Lazar Puhalo – Canadian Orthodox MonasteryPeter Kreeft – Catholic ApologistJerry Walls – Author, Hell: The Logic of DamnationJonathan & Margie Phelps – Westboro Baptist ChurchRon Dart – Professor of World Religions, University College of the Fraser Valley




PRESS







DISTRIBUTION

HELLBOUND? Is being distributed theatrically in the US by Area23a, a bi-coastal, independently owned, event-based theatrical distribution company, co-founded by distribution specialist Richard Abramowitz and Ocule Films founder, Kirt Eftekhar. The company focuses on event-driven films, providing value-added distribution through alternative ways to reach audiences across the country, releasing films in convention and community centers, nightclubs, casinos, libraries, museums, and college campuses, in addition to traditional venues like theaters and festivals. Area23a has distributed numerous award-winning films, including, Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman’s Soundtrack for a Revolution, Michael Paul Stephenson’s Best Worst Movie, Gerry Wurzburg’s Wretches & Jabberers, Adrian Grenier’s Teenage Paparazzo and most recently Chris Paine’s Revenge of the Electric Car.

ENDORSEMENTS

“I am certain you are aware that the subject of ‘hell’ is currently an intensely ‘hot’ topic not only within the community of faiths, but beyond. Into this conversation enters Hellbound?, a singularly important documentary, and frankly the best overall presentation of the landscape of opinions that I have ever witnessed.”William Paul Young, author of The Shack

“I expected Hellbound? to be good, but it far exceeded my highest expectations. It is riveting, challenging, provocative, respectful, funny in places, shocking in places, and artistic from start to finish. This is what documentary film-making can be… tackling a profound subject of ultimate importance, and doing so in a way that grabs you and won’t let you go.”Brian McLaren, author/speaker/activist

“Hellbound? confronts the great national ideological divide over religion (and thus politics too) as never before. And I’m betting that 5 years from now you’ll meet former evangelicals and other former fundamentalist religious folks who trace their departure from the religious right to seeing this movie. I’ve never seen the argument made better against the angry retributive aspects of far right ‘religion.’”Frank Schaeffer, author Crazy for God

“I applaud the courage it took to make this delightful movie. Hellbound? is a movie that makes you think. Beware, it may even transform you.”David Bruce - founder hollywoodjesus.com




PRESS






Documents

AREA 23A KEVIN MILLER XI PRODUCTIONS “HELLBOUND?” … · 2015. 1. 12. · area 23a and kevin miller xi productions present “hellbound?” director of photography ben eisner