"God's Not Dead" actor and filmmaker David A.R. White has said he hopes the third installment of the popular film franchise will bring unity to a society that seems increasingly divided.
White, who is also the co-founder of Pure Flix Entertainment, told The Gospel Herald that prior to filming "God's Not Dead: A Light in Darkness," he, along with the other producers, prayed together and asked God, "What do you want us to say in this film?"
"There's so much angst going on in our society right now between both sides of the aisle," he shared. "You watch the news, it's constant fighting, constant backstabbing, almost hatred in a lot of ways in our society. It's more than I've ever seen."
The forthcoming film, hitting theaters March 30, 2018, is "about healing, no matter what side of the aisle you're on," according to White.
"It's about forgiveness, hopefully, it's about bringing those sides together," he told GH. "Ultimately it's about saying, 'Lord, what do you want me to do right now? Help me to do that to my neighbor, help me to do that for the person across the street, help me to do that [in] my broken relationship with my mom, my dad, my spouse, my brother, my sister. It's about healing."
"Devastated, Dave is launched on a painful spiritual journey as he fights against the university trying to keep him from rebuilding his church, and as his belief that "God is good all the time" is put to the test. Along the way, Dave enlists the help of his estranged atheist brother who will support Dave in his legal fight, but also challenges him to recognize that sometimes fighting doesn't require defeating those we disagree with, but rather finding a way to heal, and to rebuild," it continues.
Earlier, White told GH that the film will examine the age-old question, "Why does God let bad things happen to good people?"
"To answer those question organically and from truth is hopefully what all of these movies have been about," White said. "I think by showing both sides...we're trying to bring these conversations out, and we're trying to bring them out in a real, organic truth. That's what we're seeking, is the truth."
Also featured in the film are actors Jennifer Taylor, Pastor Dave's new love interest, Meg, Ted McGinley (Thomas Ellsworth), Academy Award-winning actress Tatum O'Neal (Barbara Solomon) and Benjamin Onyango (Reverend Jude). The film is being produced by Michael Scott, David A.R. White, Brittany Yost, Alysoun Wolfe and Liz Travis.
