We are getting pretty excited and apparently we’re not the only ones 🙂

Check out this article on My San Antonio

San Antonio gets red-carpet premiere with dash of Hollywood

Gala movie premieres, complete with tuxes, limos and a sprinkle of Hollywood glamour, are few and far between in San Antonio. That’s why this news pricked up my ears:

Actor Stephen Baldwin (“The Usual Suspects” and TV’s “The Apprentice”) is among those scheduled to walk the red carpet outside the Santikos Palladium IMAX Thursday night. Also expected is Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and a friend of the film’s producer.

Even if you don’t have a ticket, you’re invited to watch and snap photos of the parade, which begins at 7 p.m.
The occasion is the kickoff of faith-based feature film “Scarlett,” which stars Baldwin and an able cast of lesser-known actors and is produced by the locally based Strong Foundation Films. It was shot almost entirely in the Alamo City — the River Walk, the Dominion, other locales — and Boerne, with some spectacular beach scenes captured with the waves of Corpus Christi and Mustang Island.

Based on the movie’s trailer and descriptions, “Scarlett” is a tale of intertwining dilemmas that’s meant to inspire. At its center is a religious couple — talented architect Scarlett (Chloe Hurst, “The Nice Guys”) and her fiancé, Chase. Their plan is to fulfill their dream of building a church and then get married. However, a devastating wrench is thrown their way: Scarlett is diagnosed with terminal cancer, which prompts an inner struggle that has her questioning God.

Meanwhile, living next door to Chase is Mia, who is pregnant and in an abusive relationship. What’s more, the baby’s father is pressing her to have an abortion. The sounds of domestic violence draw the attention of Chase, who, like a good Samaritan, intervenes.

“It is an emotional roller coaster, with situations most can relate to,” said director Josiah David Warren, 26, who also plays Chase. Baldwin plays his dad, whom Chase turns to for advice when he starts to feel overwhelmed by all that’s happening.
What sets this film apart from other contemporary movies with dark storylines, however, “is its hope,” Warren said. “It leaves you with a sense of peace at the end, a kind of resolution.”

“Scarlett” is the latest movie produced by Warren’s mom, Sun Hui East, the local pastor who started Strong Foundation Films in 2011. East writes and executive produces the films, while ministering to her flock at First Love Christian Church here.
The South Korean native said she has discovered that media may be a more effective way to spread her message than sermons.
Hollywood also has heeded the call, but with much bigger budgets. Husband-and-wife producing team Mark Burnett and Roma Downey recently released their epic reimagining of the movie “Ben-Hur” in theaters after their successful collaboration on “Son of God” two years ago. On TV, the pair’s miniseries, “The Bible,” and its follow-up, “A.D.: The Bible Continues,” drew hefty audiences.

Faith-based entertainment is being embraced more and more, East said, because “there’s so much negativity in the world and people are seeking messages of hope, something to touch the heart.”

She and her son also are taking on television. “We’re six episodes deep into a TV series called ‘An Unlikely Family’ (about a pastor and his wife who adopt two homeless kids),” Warren said, adding that Hallmark Channel has expressed interest.

The duo said they started their journey with smaller films and expanded to bigger ventures bit by bit.

“We wanted to build our skills. Each movie has been a stepping stone,” East said.

Until recently, she added, they hadn’t reached out to a Hollywood name.

“Scarlett” and their next release, “Run” — a movie about human trafficking that also was shot here — were more expensive than the others, largely because they feature Baldwin, East said.

The actor, known for much edgier films such as the aforementioned “Suspects” and “Threesome,” turned his attention to inspirational movies after his conversion to Christianity. In an interview for Strong Foundation, he praises “Scarlett” for its purity.

The premiere is nearly sold out, but some tickets, at $15 apiece, are still available by phone at 210-749-8707 or 303-349-6178. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.

Starting Friday, “Scarlett” will play at several San Antonio theaters, including Palladium, Santikos’ Silverado 16 and Northwest 14, then branch out to other markets. For more information, visit scarlettmovie2016.com.