A Roman Soldier is Assigned to Disprove Jesus’ Resurrection
Twelve years after the blockbuster film about Jesus’ crucifixion and many others like it, Risen picks up where that film dropped off in the biblical story of Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension. In Risen – a wide-release feature film in theaters on Friday, Jan. 22, 2016 – a Roman military tribune, second to Pontius Pilate, who saw Jesus die, now must dispel rumors that He is alive. Risen is produced by LD Entertainment and distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment’s TriStar Pictures in association with AFFIRM Films, known for faith-and-family hits such as Soul Surfer, Courageous and When The Game Stands Tall.
“Risen is a gripping story of a top Roman official ordered to prove Jesus’ resurrection was a hoax by finding the body and crushing His few but passionate followers,” Rich Peluso, AFFIRM Films senior vice president, said. “Christians know it was no hoax. But seeing a doubter, a skeptic, unravel the mystery of Jesus’ death and resurrection brings a new outsider’s perspective to the Gospel’s account of the most important event in human history.”
Tristar Pictures.
Risen is an epic biblical story of the weeks immediately following Jesus’ death on the cross, as seen through the eyes of the unbelieving Clavius (Fiennes), a high-ranking Roman military tribune. Clavius and his aide Lucius (Felton) are instructed by Pontius Pilate to ensure that Jesus’ radical followers don’t steal His body and claim resurrection. When the body goes missing within days, Clavius’ mission is to find the body, dispel rumors of a risen Messiah and prevent an uprising in Jerusalem.
Producers believe the film’s unique approach of seeing Jesus’ resurrection from the viewpoint of a nonbeliever in addition to the faithful scriptural treatment of the story will attract wide audiences. Additionally, outreach to a coalition of leading Protestant and Catholic influencers will be a key aspect of Risen‘s promotional campaign.
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