Filmmaker Takes "Courageous" Step

Alex Kendrick, a pastor and filmmaker from Albany, Georgia, is in Dallas this week talking about Sherwood Pictures’ anticipated new film COURAGEOUS, hitting theaters Sept. 30, 2011. “COURAGEOUS is an unapologetic call for [fathers] to live courageously for their faith and their families,” Alex said. He co-wrote the film with his brother, Stephen, and directs and acts in it as well. Stephen produced COURAGEOUS, along with executive producers Michael Catt and Jim McBride. Sherwood Pictures was behind the hit movie FIREPROOF, the No. 1 independent film of 2008. As that film tackled the tough subject of commitment in marriage, COURAGEOUS explores the great need today for dads to take responsibility to fulfill their calling. In the film four sheriff’s deputies in Albany, good friends, protect the streets of their city. Yet while they consistently give their best on the job, "good enough" seems to be all they can muster as dads. A tragedy unites them in a resolution to strive for more with their families. In addition to focusing on the need for dads to serve well at home, the filmmakers point to a number of nuts-and-bolts problems related to fathers failing to do so. According to fatherhood.org... About one in three children in the U.S. are raised in homes in which the biological father is absent.When the father is absent, children face increased risk of poverty; are likely to be less healthy; are more likely to commit crimes and take drugs; and are more likely to face teen pregnancy issues. COURAGEOUS is both entertaining storytelling and a call to action. In addition to 1,600 volunteers, COURAGEOUS engaged several professional actors, and a bigger budget than with Fireproof. This budget made way for higher production values with plenty of police action. “The film asks men to publicly resolve to redirect their life toward the highest priorities,” Alex said. Check out the movie trailer, with music from Casting Crowns: