National Religious Broadcasters and Paramount Pictures Jointly Announce Explanatory Message for Noah Movie

Nashville, TN - The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) andParamount Pictures jointly announced Thursday the decision to add anexplanatory message to future marketing materials for the upcoming film Noahfrom acclaimed filmmaker Darren Aronofsky. 

 The move follows an appeal by Dr. Jerry A. Johnson, President& CEO of NRB, to help audiences better understand that the feature film isa dramatization of the major scriptural themes and not a line-by-line retellingof the Bible story.

Dr. Johnson's request to Paramount Pictures to consider addingthis clarification to Noah's marketing materials ahead of release was anidea fully embraced by the studio, and follows a precedent established by otherfilms based on biblical stories.

NRB's reaching out to Paramount was prompted by a special publicevent earlier this week at the NRB 2014 International Christian MediaConvention in Nashville, TN, where Dr. Johnson led an engaging and insightfulpanel discussion with John Snowden, a biblical consultant for Noah,along with filmmaker, media consultant, and writer Phil Cooke, who is also amember of the NRB Board of Directors.

Together, the panelists - all three of whom had earlier seen theentire film - discussed the cinematic attributes of the film, includingexamples of adherence to and departures from the biblical text. Exclusive clipsfrom the film were also shown to the crowd of several hundred.

"Because of the quality of the production and acting,viewers will enjoy watching main themes from the Noah story depicted ina powerful way on the big screen," stated Dr. Johnson in sharing hisoverall reaction to the film. "However, my intent in reaching out toParamount with this request was to make sure everyone who sees this impactfulfilm knows this is an imaginative interpretation of Scripture, and notliteral."

Future marketing materials, including a soon-to-be releasedonline trailer, the film's official website, and 100% of print and radio, aswell as a percentage of the film's online and broadcast, will contain thefollowing explanatory message:

"The film is inspired by the story of Noah.

While artistic license has been taken, we believe that this filmis true to the essence, values, and integrity of a story that is a cornerstoneof faith for millions of people worldwide.

The biblical story of Noah can be found in the book ofGenesis." 

"We are deeply appreciative of Dr. Johnson's efforts tobring this idea to us," said Paramount Picture's Vice Chairman, Rob Moore."Our goal has been to take every measure we can to ensure moviegoers havethe information they need before deciding to buy a ticket to see the film. Weare very proud of Darren Aronofsky's Noah. We think audiences all overthe world will enjoy this epic film."

Adding to that, Dr. Johnson said, "It is a significant andwelcome development when a leading Hollywood studio like Paramount makes amajor film about a story from the Bible."

"Many people will go to this film and enjoy it,"expressed Dr. Johnson, who holds a Ph.D. in Christian Ethics from SouthernBaptist Theological Seminary and has taught a Cinematic Theology course at theundergraduate level in college, as well as a course on the Theology of Moviesand Visual Media at the graduate level in seminary. "Christians should beready to engage with them about the main biblical themes that are portrayed inthe film, namely sin, judgment, and salvation."

While Dr. Johnson noted that there are more than a few creativeliberties taken that may be of concern to those who know their Bible well, hesaid he feels that the explanatory message will help make it clear to people offaith that the film is not being presented as a literal presentation ofScripture.

"We are grateful that Paramount is striving, with thisdisclaimer, to strike a proper balance between artistic creativity, characterdevelopment, and honoring the sacred Scripture," Dr. Johnson stated.

Tolearn more about Noah, which opens in theaters March 28, visit www.noahmovie.com. For more about the NationalReligious Broadcasters, visit nrb.org.