The new inspirational feature film Beautifully Broken released in over 600 theaters on August 24, 2018. ArtAffects Entertainment is the film distributor.
A refugee’s escape, a prisoner’s promise, and a daughter’s painful secret converge in this inspiring true story of hope. As three fathers fight to save their families, their lives become intertwined in an unlikely journey across the globe, where they learn the healing power of forgiveness and reconciliation.
“Having been to both Nigeria and Kenya, I’m always eager to see a good film that highlights the beautiful land and people of the continent of Africa,” Brad Bloom, Publisher of Faith & Fitness Magazine shares. He continues, “We have readers in several African nations including South Africa and Ghana.
Those who are Christian are impacting lives in African nations through fitness including Andrea Hartley. Movie-goers seeing Andrea’s horse riding scene in the movie may not know that since her first visit to Africa (depicted in the movie) she has now returned to do aerial yoga classes in Kenya. She represents how fitness ministry can be a powerful form of global missions and lifestyle evangelism.”
Executive Producer Randy Hartley told Faith & Fitness Magazine that this movie is their real and personal story of moving from brokenness to a much better life that only God can give.
“If Hollywood wrote this you’d say it couldn’t be true. But, I lived it and it is true. It was desperation that took us to Rwanda but it was God that saved us. My daughter came back with a purpose-driven life. She studied international studies, learned Swahili took mission trips and now she lives in Nairobi, Kenya leading a mission group there. I wouldn’t wish the hand I was dealt on anyone. But, I’m thankful God, my Savior Jesus Christ, tells us how to play that hand. He doesn’t protect us from trouble but He shows us how to live our lives through it. Without forgiveness, your past can become a cancer. My daughter would tell you she was broken. But through forgiveness and the mirroring of other people you can see the redemptive power. When you do that you live God’s grace. That frees you. That freedom leads to so much better.”
Actor Benjamin Onyango, talked with us about the physical demands of being a lead in the movie.
“Parts of [shooting] the movie took a lot out of me. We ran a lot. I’ve always been fit so I didn’t really need to do any special training for the movie. I was born and raised in Nairobi. In Kenya they’ve embraced fitness. Many walk perhaps as much as ten miles per day just to go to work. In my earlier years there I was walking too. I had the money to take the bus but I walked. There is not much obesity there.”
Writer Chuck Howard describes a scene in the movie that perhaps best visualizes how spiritual strength is physically demonstrated,
“When you see the character William lay down a machete and pick up a bowl of water to wash his aunt’s feet, you physically feel that emotion. You know the heart of this man.”
If you’ve been looking for ways to better understand how real character strength is being lived in your world today, this movie delivers.
The BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN cast includes Scott William Winters (Lethal Weapon television series, Good Will Hunting), Benjamin Onyango (God’s Not Dead, Inception), Emily Hahn (Toy Story 3, Fresh Off The Boat television series), Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight, The Expendables), Jessica Obilom (Trafficked), Caitlin Nicol-Thomas (Nashville television series), Alan Powell (Quantico television series), Eugene Khumbanyiwa (District 9), Tammi Arender (Pitch Perfect 2), and television personality Thomasina “Goo Goo” Atkins (Mary Mary series). Christian music legends Toby McKeehan and Michael W. Smith also make appearances in the film.
BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN is directed by Eric Welch (DC Talk: Welcome to the Freak Show) and written by Brad Allen, Chuck Howard and Martin Michael (I Am Not Ashamed), along with Mark McCann (Harmony). It is produced by Allen, Michael and Howard, along with Lisa Arnold (Caged No More), Jarred Coates (God’s Not Dead), MichelleS. Duffie (War Room, The Shack), and executive produced by Randy Hartley (Through the Valley).
The movie also features title song “Beautifully Broken,” performed by three artists each lending their voice to a unique version of the song, which incorporates all three musical stylings. Grammy Award- winning country artist, John Berry, Dove Award-winning pop singer Plumb and Grammy Award-winning gospel artist CeCe Winans. The song is produced by award-winning producer, Chuck Howard, who also co-wrote the film.
