In mid-April, the Christian film “The Hopeful” premiered to viewers in 900 theaters across the United States for two days with a theme that is in keeping with today’s society, although set in the early 19th century.
The film’s producer and director, Kyle Portbury of Sydney, Australia, told Fox News Digital in a video interview that the true story of religious observers, which began during the War of 1812, effortlessly connects with audiences of the century. XXI.
“What you’re going to find is people, even if they lived 200 years before you, will have an experience that will be very recognizable,” Portbury said.
“It’s a kinder time, and in some ways we should remember kinder times,” he said. “Right now, it feels pretty rough and pretty tough.”
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Kyle Portbury was the director and producer of the Christian film “The Hopeful.” (Jeremy Cowart)
The film follows a collection of true events of Americans William Miller and Ellen Harmon, as they struggle with the anticipation of Christ’s return and the disappointment when the prophecy is not fulfilled.
The public saw Miller, of the US Army’s 30th Infantry Regiment during the War of 1812, surviving a brutal attack by the British Army. When he believes his survival is a miracle, he questions his existence and searches for answers through books.
At his wife’s recommendation, Miller opens the Bible.
In the course of reading the Book of Daniel, Miller believes he has found evidence of Christ’s upcoming return. Alone, he undertakes the knowledge of this prophecy, until he decides to skillfully convey the message to others.
Through his sermons, he inspires a young girl, Harmon.
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“The Hopeful” was released to the public in theaters for two days. Now, people can request to hold private screenings. (Jeremy Cowart)
At the conclusion of the Sunday service, Harmon, with no more than a third-grade education, returns home and enlightens her parents that Christ is hopeful and healing, not judgmental or prejudiced as she had previously assumed. Harmon opens her eyes to the idea of a quilted Christ and becomes a visionary for the cause of Miller and the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
“Ellen is the least likely person to have the legacy she has today,” Portbury said. “She exists in a time when men don’t listen to women, especially young women.”
In 1846, she co-founded the Christian denomination with her husband, James White. During her time, she wrote more than 24 books and about 4,600 articles, according to the Boston University School of Theology website.
“She came up with clever ways to get around the gender hurdle,” Portbury said.
Today, Harmon, a native of Maine, is remembered as a voice and pioneer for women. The Smithsonian named Harmon one of the “100 Greatest Americans of All Time.”
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Portbury told Fox News Digital during a video interview that real Americans in the early 19th century experienced internal and external battles similar to those who lived in the 21st century. (Jeremy Cowart)
Portbury says the trials and tribulations of Harmon, Miller, Joseph Bates, a wealthy and respected sea captain, his wife and others are not complicated and that all audiences, religious or not, can enjoy the film’s message.
“One of the great things about film is that it gives you the opportunity to ask, ‘Who would I be in this movie?'” Portbury said. “We all like to think we’d be the hero.”
In “The Hopeful,” Portbury says the characters struggle both internally and externally with the choice they have as business owners, homeowners and caregivers: embrace and prepare for Christ’s return or punish those who do.
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“What they persevered with was understanding that, yes, eventually Christ will return and the world will end, but that’s not a bad thing, it’s a good thing, because it brings hope and healing to a world that desperately needs it,” Portbury said. .
Portbury, aware that he could connect with the discourse among Americans in 1812, decided to produce the film.
“I think we’re in a very similar position where we hear a lot of negativity and judgment,” he said. “I think the challenge for us, particularly as Christians, is not to expose the character of Christ that people expect, which is judgment, prejudice and fear.”
Portbury believes that if more people provide kindness and warmth to others on a daily basis, the world will be better prepared when Christ returns.
“The world needs people to say, ‘Hey, I could be this hope and healing in my little part of the world, or in my neighborhood, or with the people in my little family,'” he said.
Viewers can apply to host a screening of “The Hopeful” in the US, Canada and around the world.
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