EPK “substantive and even-handed” “a brave and refreshing

EPK
AREA 23A AND KEVIN MILLER XI PRODUCTIONS PRESENT “HELLBOUND?” DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY BEN EISNER EDITED
BY SIMON TONDEUR ORIGINAL SCORE BY MARCUS ZUHR ADDITIONAL MUSIC BY ARI NEUFELD, CREMATORIA AND YUCA
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER DAVID KRYSKO PRODUCED BY DAVID REMPEL & KEVIN MILLER WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY KEVIN MILLER
HELLBOUNDTHEMOVIE.COM
“substantive and even-handed”
New York Times
“a brave and refreshing documentary capable of lasting impact”
Huffington Post
“invades notoriously touchy territory”
Shockya.com
“adds fuel to a smoldering corner of the culture wars”
Arizona Republic
HELLBOUND?
Genre: Documentary
Running time: 85 minutes
WRITER/PRODUCER/DIRECTOR
Kevin Miller - IMDb
hellboundthemovie.com
SYNOPSIS
Does hell exist? If so, who ends up there, and why?
Featuring an eclectic group of authors, theologians,
pastors, social commentators and musicians,
Hellbound? is a provocative, feature-length
documentary that will ensure you never look at hell
the same way again.
DISTRIBUTION
Hellbound? began its theatrical run in Nashville on Sept.
12, 2012. To date, it has partnered with AMC,
Regal, Cineplex Odeon and several other theater chains
and independent cinemas to screen in over 40 cities
across the United States and Canada.
United States
Canada
New York
Vancouver
Chicago
Toronto
Dallas
Montreal
San Diego
Ottawa
Pasadena
Calgary
Orange County
Edmonton
Seattle
Winnipeg
Nashville
Saskatoon
Portland
Regina
Phoenix
Oakville
Denver
Kelowna
Minneapolis
Langley
Detroit
Ottawa
Omaha
Victoria
Grand Rapids
Waterloo
Ashland
Bellingham
Lancaster
Little Rock
Norfolk
Washington, DC
San Francisco
Cleveland
Columbus
Spokane
Kirksville
De Witt
HELLBOUND?
Running time: 85 minutes
(not yet rated)
hellboundthemovie.com
WRITER/DIRECTOR
Kevin Miller - IMDb
Kevin Miller XI Productions
Kevin Miller
34848 2nd Avenue
Abbotsford, BC V2S 0A8
604.217.2880
[email protected]
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
Throughout history, Christians have
disagreed about pretty much
everything. And whenever these
disagreements come up, certain
doctrines or beliefs become a sort
of litmus test to determine insiders
and outsiders: Are you one of us or
are you one of them? Are you our
kind of Christian or are you some
other kind of Christian, perhaps a
new kind of Christian, a Christian
whom we’re really not sure we can
trust? The current debate over hell
is a perfect example of this
dynamic at work.
Whenever I see the battle lines
being drawn like this, it piques my
interest, because I know there’s a
lot more going on behind the
scenes. On the surface, people are
arguing about theology. But underneath lurk all kinds of personal, political, religious and even
economic agendas.
HELLBOUND? is my attempt to get to the bottom of the current debate over hell. Why is it
happening? Why is it happening right now? And of all the doctrines we could be arguing about, why
are Christians so hot and bothered about hell?
Like any classic power struggle, this debate boils down to a scrappy group of underdogs seeking to
overturn the status quo. In this case, the underdogs are a growing number of Christians called
“Universalists” who argue that the Christian message should be reframed to include redemption for
anyone and everyone. Meanwhile, the establishment is holding the line on an exclusive Gospel,
where those who fail to pass the test of faith are condemned to an eternity of torment and isolation
from all that is good.
While hell is the current flashpoint, I believe this debate is merely a warning tremor signaling a
potential seismic shift in the religious landscape. As traditionalist pastor and writer Kevin DeYoung
recently wrote:
At the very heart of this controversy… we really do have two different Gods. The stakes are that
high… Both sides cannot be right. As much as some voices in evangelicalism will suggest that we
should all get along and learn from each other and listen for the Spirit speaking in our midst, the
fact is we have two irreconcilable views of God… Delight or deception, suffering or salvation—yes,
even heaven or hell—may hang in the balance.
How all of this shakes out is still an open question. HELLBOUND? certainly isn’t the last word on
hell, but it is a great starting point for anyone who has ever wondered—or worried—about their
eternal fate.
FILMMAKERS
Kevin Miller
Writer/Director/Producer
Despite dwelling on hell for far longer than most would
recommend, Kevin maintains an optimistic outlook on life–and
death. Originally from Foam Lake, Saskatchewan, Kevin always
dreamed of being in the movie business but never actually
believed he’d get there. So he’s as surprised as anyone to go
onto imdb.com and find all of those credits listed under his
name. Some of his most recent projects include spOILed, Sex
+Money, With God On Our Side and Expelled: No Intelligence
Allowed–not to mention a brief stint portraying Lex Luthor on Smallville. While he’s had a great time
working on so many varied and fascinating projects, there’s nothing like being in the driver’s seat of
his own film. When he’s not making films, Kevin can be found hanging out with his wife and four
children and occasionally sneaking away to play hockey, hike, fish or skateboard.
David Rempel
Producer
Originally from Chilliwack, BC, David was inspired to get into
the film biz not by the films of Ingmar Bergman or Martin
Scorsese but by the TV series Chips. Since obtaining a BA in
film production at Biola University, David has spent the last
seven years working on the creative side of television and
feature film production. During that time, he has co-produced
or executive produced numerous made-for-television movies,
including Held Hostage, Storm Seekers, Tornado Valley, Come
Dance at my Wedding and Toxic Skies. While at Biola, David
interned at Phoenix Pictures and Mel Gibson’s Icon Productions, where they happened to be making a
little picture called The Passion of the Christ. Although you’d never guess it from his film credits,
David’s true passion is baseball. In fact, at one point he was actually invited to join the Pittsburgh
Pirates instructional league. Although David never made it to the big leagues, he’s still holding out
hope that one of his three sons might ultimately achieve that dream.
Dave Krysko
Executive Producer
Dave Krysko began his career as a musician, spending his
early years touring across North America. In the 1980s, he
shifted into audio and video production and then web site
design and interactive online solutions for various high profile
companies. This eventually led him to co-found Club Penguin,
a hugely successful online virtual world for kids that has had a
huge impact on the children’s gaming industry. The Walt
Disney Company was so impressed with Club Penguin that in
2007, it purchased the company from its founders. Upon
leaving the Walt Disney Company as a Senior Vice-President in
2010, Dave founded Davara Enterprises, which invests in various culture-making businesses. Dave is
also a longtime philanthropist, having been involved in humanitarian work in Canada, Mexico and
Romania. He co-founded the Karis Support Society, which assists women who are struggling with
addictions; created the Krysko Family Foundation, which helps impoverished Canadian families; and
spearheaded the creation of the New Horizon Foundation, a charitable organization committed to
improving the lives of children and families around the world. Most important of all, he funded the
production of HELLBOUND? And for that, Kevin and his team are eternally grateful.
Simon Tondeur
Editor
When he isn’t passing the buck, you can usually find Simon
trying to pass himself off as an American. Originally from
London, Simon now lives in the Los Angeles area with his wife
and two boys. But he still insists on using that nefarious form of
artificial intelligence known as a “British accent.” Simon and
Kevin’s working relationship goes all the way back to Kevin’s
first feature, After…, a fact that Simon construes as a license
to mock Kevin’s every foible with merciless intensity. Other
Miller/Tondeur collaborations include Sex+Money, No Saints for Sinners, Expelled and Hakani.
After working together for so long, Simon and Kevin have attained a certain degree of synergy.
You could even call them the dynamic duo. The only problem is, they both think they’re
Batman…
Ben Eisner
Director of Photography/Second Unit Director
What do coffee, cheese, Thomas Merton, Milwaukee and the
Green Bay Packers all have in common? Answer: Ben Eisner
smells like all of them. And that’s on a good day. On a slightly
more serious note, when Ben isn’t raving about how much
better life is in Wisconsin, he’s riding shotgun and helping us
find our way to our next shoot–or our next meal–on his handy
GPS. Oh yeah, and every once in a while he picks up a camera
and knocks off some amazing shots. In addition to his fantastic work on HELLBOUND?, Ben has
directed numerous music videos, television pilots and documentary projects for marquee music
companies like Capitol Records, Warner Brothers, Sony BMG and EMI Music Group. He has also
directed and served as director of photography on commercials for such brands as GE, Verizon,
Case IH, Marquette University and Masterlock. And in case you aren’t suitably impressed by that
long list of household names, Ben also plays a mean drum solo. So beat it.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
CREW
Production Company: Kevin Miller XI Productions Inc.
HELLBOUND?
Running time: 85 minutes
(not yet rated)
Director: Kevin Miller
Executive Producer: Dave Krysko
Producers: Kevin Miller, David Rempel
hellboundthemovie.com
WRITER/DIRECTOR
Kevin Miller - IMDb
Kevin Miller XI Productions
Kevin Miller
34848 2nd Avenue
Abbotsford, BC V2S 0A8
604.217.2880
[email protected]
Director of Photography: Ben Eisner
Second Unit Director: Ben Eisner
Israel Unit Director: Porter Speakman, Jr.
Second Unit Producer: Kipp Zavada
Editor: Simon Tondeur
Written by: Kevin Miller
Original Score: Marcus Zuhr
Additional Music by: Ari Neufeld, Crematoria and YUCA
Sound Designer: Murray Stiller
Assistant Sound Editor: Jeremy Therrien
Rerecording Mixer: Murray Stiller
Production Assistants: Simeon Muller, Adam Wormald, Jonathan O’Brien, Huw Miller
CAST
William Paul Young – Author, The Shack
Brian McLaren – Author, The Last Word and the Word After That
Frank Schaeffer – Author, Crazy for God
Mark Driscoll – Pastor, Mars Hill Church
Gregory A. Boyd – Pastor, Woodland Hills Church
Mike Bickle – Director, International House of Prayer
Oderus Urungus – Vocalist, GWAR
Necrobutcher – Bassist, Mayhem
Glen Benton – Vocalist, Deicide
David Vincent – Vocalist, Morbid Angel
Ole Luger La’Fay Walsh – Vocalist, Solbrud
Hank Hanegraaff – Radio Host, “The Bible Answer Man”
Ray Comfort – Evangelist, Way of the Master
Kevin DeYoung – Pastor, University Reformed Church
Justin Taylor – Blogger, Between Two Worlds
Brad Jersak – Author, Her Gates Will Never Be Shut
Robin Parry – Author, The Evangelical Universalist
Kevin Miller – Filmmaker
Jaime Clark-Soles – Theologian, Perkins Theological Seminary
Sharon Baker – Author, Razing Hell
Michael Hardin – Founder, Preaching Peace
David Bruce – Founder, Hollywoodjesus.com
Chad Holtz – Former pastor
Bob Larson – Exorcist
Robert McKee – Author, Story
Archbishop Lazar Puhalo – Canadian Orthodox Monastery
Peter Kreeft – Catholic Apologist
Jerry Walls – Author, Hell: The Logic of Damnation
Jonathan & Margie Phelps – Westboro Baptist Church
Ron Dart – Professor of World Religions, University College of the Fraser Valley
Reviews
Hell Is (For) Other People
religiondispatches.org
Hellbound?
variety.com
Eternal Damnation: Idea or Destination?
movies.nytimes.com
Hellbound?
arkansasonline.com
Review: 'Hellbound?' sure to heat up the debate
latimes.com
'Hellbound?': Movie Questions Hell As Place Of Eternal
Torment
huffingtonpost.com
'Hellbound?' Wins the Debate
huffingtonpost.com
'Hellbound?' 4 stars
azcentral.com
Hellbound? Movie Review
shockya.com
Hellbound? is a thoughtful, wide-ranging documentary
straight.com
Filmmaker drags hell out of the closet
vancouversun.com
Hellbound? Heated controversy over local film
theprovince.com
Review: Hellbound?
montrealgazette.com
Review: Hellbound? speaks of the Devil
nationalpost.com
Hellbound? New Film Explores Ideas, Doctrine of Hell
sojo.net
'Hellbound?' Filmmaker Hopes His Version of the 'Good
News' Builds Bridges
christianpost.com
ENDORSEMENTS
“I am certain you are aware that the subject of ‘hell’ is currently an intensely ‘hot’ topic not only
within the community of faiths, but beyond. Into this conversation enters Hellbound?, a singularly
important documentary, and frankly the best overall presentation of the landscape of opinions
that I have ever witnessed.”
William Paul Young, author of The Shack
“I expected Hellbound? to be good, but it far exceeded my highest expectations. It is riveting,
challenging, provocative, respectful, funny in places, shocking in places, and artistic from start
to finish. This is what documentary film-making can be… tackling a profound subject of ultimate
importance, and doing so in a way that grabs you and won’t let you go.”
Brian McLaren, author/speaker/activist
“Hellbound? confronts the great national ideological divide over religion (and thus politics too) as
never before. And I’m betting that 5 years from now you’ll meet former evangelicals and other
former fundamentalist religious folks who trace their departure from the religious right to seeing
this movie. I’ve never seen the argument made better against the angry retributive aspects of far
right ‘religion.’”
Frank Schaeffer, author Crazy for God
“I applaud the courage it took to make this delightful movie. Hellbound? is a movie that makes
you think. Beware, it may even transform you.”
David Bruce - founder hollywoodjesus.com
“Beautifully filmed and imagined, Kevin Miller’s ‘Hellbound?’ is as open, balanced, and accurate
a presentation of the Christian concept(s) of Hell as anyone could ever hope to experience. It
merits a “Highly Recommended” listing in every way.”
Phyllis Tickle, author The Great Emergence
“There is no more important issue than the character of God. It is just this issue that is at the
forefront of intelligent contemporary theological conversation. While not everyone may agree
about the solution, Hellbound? is sure to provide grist for millions of conversations. Hellbound?
… deserves serious attention from persons of every persuasion.”
Michael Hardin, Executive Director, Preaching Peace
“Kevin Miller and his team are brilliant! Clothed in a movie ostensibly about hell is a profoundly
thought-provoking investigation into the very character of God. After watching this film, every
Christian should ask, ‘How could I believe such terrible things about the God we call love?’ After
reading some of the criticisms of the film, I have to ask, ‘Why is the thought that God will
welcome all people into heaven more abhorrent to Christians than the thought that God will send
most people to hell for all eternity?’”
Sharon Baker - Author of Razing Hell
“A timely and provocative investigation of the inflammatory issues surrounding hell. Whatever
you think about damnation, this enlightening documentary is guaranteed to stimulate and shock
you. Here is a film that should not be ignored.”
Robin Parry, author The Evangelical Universalist
Kevin Miller XI Productions Inc.
Kevin Miller
34848 2nd Avenue
Abbotsford, BC V2S 0A8
604.217.2880
[email protected]