‘Fireproof’ movie focuses on saving marriages
By NADIA MARIA SMITH
CS&T Staff Writer
This fall, help for those struggling with marital problems comes from an unexpected source — a movie titled “Fireproof.”
From the creators of the surprise success “Facing the Giants,” the film is a story of love and marriage unlike most Hollywood movies.
Captain Caleb Holt is a firefighter who lives by the code “never leave your partner behind.” But, as the film opens, that is exactly what he is doing — leaving his life partner and wife, Catherine, behind.
On the brink of divorce, Holt is called to reexamine his marital relationship. The lessons he learns — through a “love dare” — are lessons that will help any marriage in crisis. They are lessons that will also help rekindle the passion in a good marriage.
“I liked this movie because it portrayed the real difficulties in marriage, and how it is that marriage can be self-destructive without a firm rootedness in Christ,” said Ann Hanincik, the administrator of Marriage Preparation Programs for the archdiocesan Family Life Office.
“There are some very naturally Catholic themes in the film that could really be developed,” Hanincik said. “I think a wonderful use for the film would be a viewing of the film by married couples, engaged, and even single adults, coupled with a discussion of the Catholic view of marriage, sacrifice and Christian discipleship. I think the film could be a great tool for showing why the Church values marriage and family life as a vocation, a path to holiness.”
Produced by Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga., “Fireproof” is winning support from many Catholic leaders such as the Worldwide Marriage Encounter and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ “For Your Marriage” campaign.
Kirk Cameron, a Hollywood veteran known to millions as Mike Seaver from the long-running sitcom “Growing Pains,” portrays Holt. He is the only professional actor in the cast. The rest are volunteers who believed in the message and purpose of the film.
“There was a spirit of unity and service on “Facing the Giants” that came from people volunteering their time and talents. I wanted to be a part of that with this movie,” Cameron said.
Instead of being paid for his acting job, Sherwood Films made a donation to Camp Firefly in Georgia, which he and his wife run.
“It’s a camp we’ve been doing for 18 years [so that] terminally and seriously ill children and their families can get away for a while and rejuvenate their family relationships and meet other families,” Cameron said.
The film will open on limited release on Sept. 26. Supporters of the film’s message, like the Maximus Group, a Catholic communications and marketing agency, are asking that Catholics pre-purchase tickets and buy out theaters.
“Fireproof Action Squads,” promoted and registered on the Web site (www.fireproofthemovie.com), can work to bring the movie to theaters where it has not yet been booked.
“We feel this film is something the Catholic community can get behind and support because the film follows what we as Catholics believe and share about the sacrament of marriage,” said Lisa Wheeler, the executive vice president. “The film can be used as a tool for marriages that are in trouble and for pre-Cana too.”
For more information and advice on Catholic marriages visit www.foryourmarriage.org.
CS&T staff writer Nadia Maria Smith may be reached at npozo@adphila.org or (215) 965-4614.
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