In the dark and dangerous days in which we live, redemptive media (movies, television, radio, online magazines, podcasts, audiobooks, Web sites and more) has a critical and far-reaching role in the reformation, revival, renewal of culture.
Media is “redemptive” when something positive and worthy comes out of something that has been harmful. Redemptive movies and television have been presenting realistic, naturalistic, and honest stories in which the characters go on ultimately edifying journeys that lead them towards positive results, toward reconciliation, and toward Truth. Redemptive media has edifying stories that reveal universal ideas and lift audiences from negativism and cynicism to what is positive, renewing, and redemptive. Although they present honest, difficult struggles, they turn what is paralyzing to what is freeing and eternal.
Chris Evans in “Captain America”, which made the list of Redemptive-themed movies last year.
Evidence suggests that redemptive movies and television are having a reforming influence in our culture and are igniting hope in the dangerous time in which we live. In recent decades there has been a developing movement in production of redemptive movies and television programs as producers have worked diligently to provide excellent, culture-changing media that is engaging and edifying. (For Christians the ultimate Redemptive Truth in is the Christian Gospel. Christians in redemptive media are presenting increasingly better stories that line up with this Truth.)
The content of redemptive movies has become more substantial and the artistry more outstanding. In recent red carpet interviews at the Movieguide Gala in Hollywood, it has become clear that more and more mainstream studios, producers, and actors are involved with redemptive movie and television production. For example, the release of Cinderella in theaters on March 13.
Holliday Grainger is Anastasia and Sophie McShera is Drisella in Disney’s CINDERELLA, which brings to life the timeless images from Disney’s 1950 animated masterpiece as fully-realized characters in a visually dazzling spectacle for a whole new generation.
This is another redemptive movie based on a classic story with notable director and top, mainstream actors. Disney’s live action Cinderella has been directed by Kenneth Branagh. He has said that they wanted Cinderella to be like a “Saint Joan character, a girl with faith.” The role of Cinderella is played by popular British actor, Lily James, recently noted as Lady Rose MacClare on Downton Abbey. Cate Blanchett performs the Stepmother and Helena Bonham Carter the Fairy Godmother. Biblical stories in movies and television programs remain popular. Classic Christian stories in movies such as the Hobbit, Battle of the Five Armies has remained strong at the box office and in theaters for weeks on end. Redemptive and family-friendly movies have been overriding R-rated movies and bringing popular entertainment back into traditional moral boundaries.
A research study that provides evidence of the losses (some immediate and some over time) at the box office for R-rated movies and television shows, also provides evidence that the movies that do best at the box office are redemptive and/or family-friendly. This has indicated that the majority of movie-goers see movies in theaters in these categories. Many more of these types of movies are on the horizon for big and small screens in the Spring of 2015.
Some of these include the following: April 3 – David and Goliath, April 5 – AD on television, April 24 – Little Boy, and May 15 – When Hope Grows. Stay tuned for more redemptive and family movie coverage.
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