“Horribly cheesy” seemed to be the dominant review comment. Granted, that still may be the case in many cases. The good news is, this trend is reversing.
Woodlawn, a new film by Erwin Brothers Entertainment, doesn’t merely defy the stereotype; it raises the bar…and the cross.
Keep in mind how hesitant I am to say this. We’ve all been invited to show our support for movies portraying atheists and Christians as two-dimensional characters, bearing little resemblance to real people. How about we quit doing that and start looking for quality stories that spur the actual ministry of the local church?
That’s the passion of Andrew and Jon Erwin, co-creators of Woodlawn, a film based on real-life events involving a football team’s spiritual awakening that impacted an entire community.
“There’s a window into culture we’ve never had before,” Andrew Erwin explained. “Christian films have become a legitimate option in Hollywood. A lot of people sacrificed many things (through) the years to see that happen. John and I are standing on the soldiers of those giants.”
Woodlawn taps into the Erwin Brothers’ desire to utilize film to communicate the gospel.
“It’s an extremely unique production because it deals with revival and how bold it is. We couldn’t have done it at a traditional studio because of its boldness and strong Christian message, but we didn’t want to water down the production value either. Woodlawn is…a hybrid of both. I don’t think it’s ever been seen on this scale…It takes things to the next level to change culture.”
The film features a solid cast of veterans and newcomers, including Sean Astin, Jon Voight, Nic Bishop, DeVon Franklin and Caleb Castille. Several key cities invited pastors and community leaders to view a rough cut of the film, not merely to gain a following but to offer an intentional partnership for local revival.
“Our desire for this film really is wrapped up in the idea of revival,” Erwin added. “There are so many similarities to the era of the movie and ours. The country was really coming apart at the seams from jadedness and emptiness…and in the midst of all of that something happened and people began to pray…I feel as if the stage is set for that now.”
Erwin believes this is where youth workers and pastors come in: “We passionately want to present a baton and spark something in the youth (with whom) they work. The Jesus movement in the 1960s was a student-led revival that changed the country. That’s the genesis (from which this comes). Our youth desperately need revival. We’re hopeful and confident Woodlawn will provide that tool for revival to happen on a local level.”
Caleb Castille, who plays real-life football player Tony Nathan in the movie, has been sharing this message wherever he speaks to students. He believes triumph can happen out of tragedy.
“Young people need to embrace their journeys, especially when it’s not going so well. It’s what forges them as human beings. God is at the center of that.”
Woodlawn is truly epic with a transformational message. It’s an opportunity to engage the next generation in a whole new way. That opportunity will only take root if we advantage of it.
