A Filmmaker’s Journal
“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 even heard of.
Five years ago, Healing River, my first feature film as a writer-director-producer, premiered on Amazon Prime. Creating it required a huge amount of money. Although tiny by Hollywood blockbuster standards, it was by far the biggest project I’d ever worked on.
It was my goal as a filmmaker to impact people’s lives with an intense emotional drama about forgiveness and redemption. Did I succeed?* How many people will remember Healing River, or the recently-finished book version, 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 — that my work ignites a spark of truth, of healing, of transformation. Because…
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. Or treats that clumsy barista a little more kindly. And when his children or the barista pass on that spark of forgiveness they’ll be passing a flame ignited by a movie they’ve never even heard of. And yet that flame could 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 Moses’ burning bush. And you let that Source ignite you. Then you pass it on. Again and again and again. Because fame may be fleeting. But flame—that flame—
Lives forever.
*Healing River (now available on Apple+, Roku, and other streaming sources as well) remains one of the highest-rated inspirational films ever premiered on Amazon Prime. According to the reviews there and at IMDb, 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.
There are a lot of valuable pointers here, Mitch. I like this.
So happy to hear that, Maria.
I really enjoyed Healing River. I’ve often wondered if I could forgive in a situation like that. It was moving and inspirational,❤️
Thanks and blessings, Kathy.
Fame fades but Flames spread, awesome point, have a great day, thanks for all you do
Thanks, and likewise, L.G.
What a line
Forgiveness is AMAZING!
Indeed, Pete. It would heal our world if only we practiced it.
L’ho trovato su Amazon 🙂
Grande, Paola!
😉🌹
What a great lesson, and what a great visualization to make it stick. I especially love how you brought symbolism and lesson together in the image of the burning bush!
Thanks, Abe!
I have been catching up on my reading and comments on WordPress. That was before I saw this, so I wrote a reply on another one of your posts. So i will be lazy here Mitch and copy and paste what I said after watching Healing River.
I watched Healing River a couple weeks back now Mitch but life has been so busy lately I have fallen behind on my reading and comments. So here I am finally following up. First let me say it’s a bit surreal to be talking to someone who has made movies!
I quite enjoyed the film and found the storyline engaging. Initially I was not sold on the relationship between Ingrid and Alec, and I certainly didn’t expect her to go back to see him the second time or even the third. But her persistence won me over and while I could not relate, you gave us enough to understand. I have to admit the shooting took me for a bit of a loop (entirely intentional on your part) and again, all was revealed in the end.
Keep telling stories Mitch.
Thanks, Randy. I intend to do just that.
Is the book available for purchase yet?
Hi Kelley. Not for a while yet. I’ll keep everyone posted.
got the messages
What a great reminder. Thanks, Mitch.
Absolutely, my friend.
Healing River.
Wait! That sounds more like a river that needs to get heal.
It’s a good title actually.
Your words resonate deeply.
The distinction you made between fame and flame is not only poetic but profoundly true. What endures isn’t the spotlight—but the light we help spark in others. Healing River may not be a household name for centuries to come, but the compassion and change it inspires will echo far beyond the credits.
Thank you for creating from the heart, and for reminding us that true impact often travels quietly—but powerfully—through time.
Keep igniting those flames.
Thank you, and you too, Sait!
Oh wow Mitch! I didn’t know you made a movie! Good Lord! That’s awesome!!! yes, flames do spread and they spread quickly and cover a lot of area. Praying blessing and success in every area of your life xx
I hope you can see it in Oz, Janet. I don’t think Amazon.co.au has it. But if you google “healing river movie” you should be able to find it.
This is interesting post, the video clip is great. Have you produced many films? This one you have written and directed too. Very impressive👍
I’ve done a lot of short films, Jean. Not as many feature films.
If your works are somewhere uploaded, leave the links if possible. Always interesting to see something like that. Have a great weekend 😊
Here’s a link to Healing River, the film mentioned in the post, Jean. https://www.amazon.com/Healing-River-Christine-Jones/dp/B088JPNPVR
Fame may be forgotten, but Healing River still lives on! 5 years already? Time flies when you’re making art. Here’s to many more films—keep ‘em coming! 🎥✨
Thank you, Masanga!
Cool, Mitch. We watched it after our library ordered it at our request. I’ll check to see if how much movement it’s had next week. And I will do a feature review for an upcoming blog probably in August.
❤️&🙏, c.a.& anita
Awesome, C.A.
Happy “Healing River” anniversary, Mitch. I have no doubt whatsoever that hearts were touched and flames spread by your amazing film. It certainly touched me.
Thank you, my Anonymous friend.
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Yes, if we serve a need in an individual today, we are doing well, making progress.
Nice lesson.
Thank you, Verma.