A Filmmaker’s Journal
Four years ago on a June day like this we wrapped production on my first feature film as a writer-director Healing River (then titled Over-the-Rhine). Never dreaming it would take as long as it did for the film to be released–or what the world would be like when it was!–I wrote the words below. I believe them more than ever.
“Fame! I’m gonna live forever!” Those lyrics are from the title song of a once-famous movie that, ironically, most people under 30 have never heard of.
I just finished directing my first feature film, an intense, emotional drama about forgiveness and redemption. To accomplish this, I have been entrusted with an amount of money that (although tiny by Hollywood standards) is terrifyingly large. By that standard, at least, it’s the biggest event of my life.
It’s my goal as a filmmaker to impact people’s lives. But will I? How many people will remember Over-the-Rhine (Healing River) a thousand years from now? Heck, how many people will remember it five years from now?
“Fame is fleeting,” the expression goes. But fame doesn’t matter. What matters is flame. What matters is that my film (or this blog post, or what I said to that homeless guy I drove to the shelter last week) ignites a spark of truth, of healing, of transformation.
Fame fades. But flames spread. It can begin with the intolerant guy who has a reality check while watching my movie and, as a result, raises his children a little more graciously, treats that clumsy barista a little more kindly. When his children (or the barista) pass on the spark of forgiveness they’ll be passing a flame ignited by a movie they may never have heard of. And yet that flame may still be burning a thousand years from now.
So how do you ignite that kind of fire? You don’t. You go to the Source that lit the bush that “was not consumed” (Exodus 3:2) and let Him ignite it, or rather you. And then you pass it on. Again and again and again. Because fame may be fleeting. But flame—that kind of flame—
Lives forever.
Note: Healing River premiered on Amazon Prime last month and is currently one of Amazon’s highest-rated films. According to the reviews and comments by those who’ve seen it, it has indeed lit a healing flame, and many are passing that flame on (do please add your review there if you’ve seen it). You can watch or order it now by clicking here.
Mitch Teemley 
Love this!
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Forty years ago I was in a fellowship of young Christians in Traverse City – about an hour’s drive from where we lived. I was in my late twenties at the time. When we moved to St. Louis I lost touch with most of the people from that fellowship. Now that we are retired we summer where we used to live in Western Michigan.
An old friend from the Traverse City fellowship contacted me a couple of years ago, after several decades and said she had moved to our area, and asked where I went to church. We got together, for coffee, and she started going to my church, where she’s gone ever since.
I told you all that to say that just yesterday she was introducing herself to another lady at the church and saying that after her divorce she didn’t know what to do, and GOD TOLD HER to move to this area, because that’s where I was! I’d had no idea that was why she moved here. I have no clue what I did or said all those years ago that had made such a lasting impression on her, so clearly I didn’t – it had to be the God I was connecting to at that young adults’ fellowship.
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Doesn’t surprise me, with God (and you) involved, Annie.
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What’s done for God’s glory never fades! Btw, it’s family viewing night today. My turn to pick, perfect timing 😊
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Perfect indeed. ;>) Enjoy, Dora!
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Mitch,
We all watched it, loved it! There wasn’t a dry eye in the house and many a smile. What a lovely ballad of God’s faithfulness and love! Unforgettable and much needed today. 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
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I’m delighted to hear that, Dora!
P.S. would encourage you and your family members to leave brief reviews there (Amazon promotes films with lots of views and reviews) and to rate it at IMDb, as well (we’re still working to counter false-ratings created by internet trolls who hadn’t actually seen the film). Blessings till it hurts!
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We absolutely will. On Amazon and IMDB. There’s a need for healing rivers.
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Bless you, Dora.
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I see my “Elizabeth Arundel” review is finally up on Amazon. Last time I checked it wasn’t up. IMDB took it right away.
We truly enjoyed the film, and were blessed by it.
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You’ll love it!
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Ah, so you’re the famous “Elizabeth Arundel,” Dora. I greatly appreciate what you wrote. And, interestingly, Amazon apparently agrees–they’ve ranked it first under “Top Reviews.”
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Surprisingly. It’s rather long and I usually chafe at long reviews, but perhaps it will help. We need more Christian films and directors like you.
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Bless you, Dora.
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Congratulations! I am going to watch it now.
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Funny thing, I didn’t even know I could watch movies for free with my Prime membership. Gracias!
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De nada, Teresa! Enjoy the movie!
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Amen Mitch! I told my parents about your film and they loved it. My Mom texted me: “Such a fantastic movie, Ryan!!! Please tell Mitch how much I loved it and his forgiving message.” Your film is already touching lives! Really looking forward to seeing it! God bless!
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How cool is that, Ryan? Please tell her I was delighted to hear that!
P.S. I would encourage you and your parents to leave a brief review there (Amazon promotes films with lots of views and reviews) and to rate it at IMDb, as well (we’re still working to counter false-ratings done by internet trolls who haven’t seen the film).
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I will tell her, thanks! I will definitely tell her to leave a review too. Trolls are a pain. I deal with them on Twitter. I’ll be sure to leave a review once I see it. Blessings!
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Thanks, Ryan!
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🙂
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I wrote a much longer comment but realized it really just said “Thank You”.
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Sounds really good! Will have to watch it!
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Great! I know you’ll like it, Valerie.
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Beautifully said. Thanks Mitch.
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I love the idea of passing on the flame!
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Hi Mitch,
Yea! Burn, baby, burn with the Holy Spirit. I do pray that your movie impacts now. We need it. The Lord knows when people need hope the most.
In Christ,
Gary
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Thanks, Gary. And amen.
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