| STRONG PRODUCT SALES MULTIPLY IMPACT OF NEW FILM, ‘COURAGEOUS’ CourageoustheMovie.com |
KEY IDEAS:
As with their 2008 surprise hit film FIREPROOF, the makers of COURAGEOUS have far more than box office success on their minds, aiming to make an impact on the quality of family and fathering relationships worldwide. Having spent three weeks in the box office top 10, stories abound of individuals moved by COURAGEOUS to embrace their faith, renew commitments to their families or help foster a movement to restore relationships. “Our desire is that fathers resolve to fulfill their God-given role in the family,” said Sherwood Pictures’ Michael Catt, executive producer of COURAGEOUS and senior pastor at Sherwood Baptist Church. Behind the film, an array of books and other products have been launched with a similar aim and are seeing remarkable results. For example, Kerusso, the leader in Christian-themed apparel and gifts, is the official apparel licensee for the film. For Kerusso’s four t-shirts and ball cap in the COURAGEOUS line, each has sold in its first 30 days what many of the firm’s most popular items have sold year-to-date. “When people leave the movie, they want to respond and share the message with others,” said Vic Kennett, Kerusso president and CEO. “The average t-shirt message will be read as many as 3,000 times—that’s life-changing potential.” Regarding books inspired by the film, the novelization of COURAGEOUS, from Tyndale House Publishers, sits at No. 24 on the New York Times Best-Seller List for Trade Paperback Fiction. Courageous the Novel was written by best-selling author Randy Alcorn, based on the screenplay by brothers Alex and Stephen Kendrick, who co-wrote the movie. “Because a book is longer than a screenplay, in the novel we’re able to more deeply explore the characters’ lives,” said Alcorn, who is the founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries in addition to being a top-selling Christian author. In the film, several main characters publicly resolve to be the fathers God desires them to be. Three books from B&H Publishing Group offer encouragement and equip men and women to take a similar stand. The books include Catt’s Courageous Living—Dare to take a Stand, which draws encouragement for godly living from the bold choices of well-known biblical characters such as Moses, Joshua, Ruth and more. The Resolution for Men, by the Kendricks, and The Resolution for Women, by nationally-known author, speaker and teacher Priscilla Shirer, are striking a chord with readers as well. The Resolution for Men is at No. 10 on the New York Times Best-Seller List for Paperback Advice, and The Resolution for Women is No. 14. Additionally, these books have hit the Christian Booksellers Association best-seller list. (The Love Dare, a book inspired by Sherwood Pictures’ 2008 film FIREPROOF, remains on the New York Times list after three years, currently at No. 13.) “We are amazed and so very thankful for the impact that The Resolution for Men and The Resolution for Women are already having on people’s lives,” B&H President Selma Wilson said. “The COURAGEOUS books being on the New York Times and CBA best-seller list and being highly ranked on Amazon are a testimony to the need that people have for these resources.” Jim McBride, Sherwood Church executive pastor and one of the executive producers of the film, wrote Rite of Passage—A Father’s Blessing, published by Moody Publishers. In the book, McBride offers a biblical outline for purposefully ushering young people into godly adulthood. “The new movie COURAGEOUS has been well received by audiences all over the country and the results at the box office are proof that people want to support this powerful story,” said Adam Kellogg, Moody Publishers marketing manager for the Spiritual Growth team. “Since the release of Rite of Passage in August 2011 sales have been strong, and the combined efforts of marketing the book along with the movie have proven to be very effective. We anticipate continued impact as the movie is seen by more and more audiences worldwide.” Bill Reeves, a partner in Working Title Agency, the literary agency that represents the authors, echoes the assertion that COURAGEOUS and its related products are about more than sales. “We’re very excited to see how the mission of the movie is turning into a movement and how people using these great resources extends the impact,” Reeves said. A Sherwood Pictures production, COURAGEOUS is distributed by TriStar Pictures with marketing by Provident Films and AFFIRM Films. COURAGEOUS tells the story of four men with one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, they are confident and focused, standing up to the worst the streets have to offer. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood. When tragedy strikes home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God . . . and to their children? Protecting the streets is second nature. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That takes courage. COURAGEOUS comes from Sherwood Pictures, the movie-making ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church that also made FIREPROOF, the No. 1 independent film of 2008. FIREPROOF was a difference-making movie about restoring damaged marriages with faith and sacrificial love. COURAGEOUS aims for a similar positive impact on fathering and families. Statistics show children from fatherless homes are more likely to have health problems, underperform in school, face drug and alcohol issues, and become involved in crime. Tickets are available now on CourageoustheMovie.com; Fandango, Movie Fone, MovieTickets, and other online sales sites; and through the theaters. For interviews, contact: Monique Sondag Monique@Lovell-Fairchild.com 214-536-4319. For information on books and products, visit: Learn more or buy tickets: Join us on Facebook: Follow us on Twitter: About COURAGEOUS and Sherwood Pictures About AFFIRM Films About Provident Films |
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