Excitement is building around a groundbreaking Christian film, which will be released in theatres on June 5. Hailed for bringing an action-adventure setting into a faith-based story about love and redemption, “Beyond the Mask” has caught the attention of audiences across the nation.
“Beyond the Mask” was shown in select markets, including Savoy, where moviegoers ordered a certain number of pre-sell tickets in April. Mahomet residents, Heidi and Thane Hanson were involved in this process.
“After pre-screening the movie last fall we really appreciated the direction it was taking Christian movie-making with action-adventure and special effects as well as the way the redemption message was conveyed,” Heidi said. “We also felt it would be a great opportunity to build community so we volunteered to be Theater Captains and bring the movie to our area for a one night event in April through ‘theatrical on-demand’.”
Playing in over 600 theaters, “Beyond the Mask” did so well across the U.S. as an on-demand film, that Freestyle Releasing picked the movie up to play in 100 cities nationwide June 5 through June 10.
Set in the 1770’s, “Beyond the Mask” follows William Reynolds (Andrew Cheney), a villain involved with the East India Company who wants to turn his life around. Plagued by a muddled past and people who frame him, Will makes a deal with God to turn his life around, and he returns to his love, Charolette Holloway (Kara Killmer) to thwart the plans of the East India Company.
Heidi said, “By the end he understands that, like love, redemption is not something to be earned, but is a gift freely given from God and he finds his true identity in Christ.”
With more green screen shots and special effects than any other Christian movie in film-making history, “Beyond the Mask” goes into “refreshingly new territory for a Christian movie,” Heidi said. “(It is) complete with history, swashbuckling fight scenes, explosions and double-crossing villains.”
“We love that this movie addresses the theme of finding our identity which is so relevant in our culture today and shares (in a very non-cheesy way) what true redemption is all about; that redemption is nothing we can do of ourselves, nor can it be earned, but it is freely given to us as a gift from God that we have but only to accept,” she continued.
When news broke that the movie would be shown nationwide, the Hansons volunteered to become Ambassadors to promote the movie locally.
Because the couple has been involved in getting the word out about Beyond the Mask, they were asked to attend the Red Carpet event at the Star AMC Theater in Auburn Hills, MI.
The Hansons enjoyed watching the media interview the cast members, then enjoyed a film screening. At the end of the movie, cast members answered questions, then everyone attended the after party at the Scripps Mansion, which plays a large part in the movie.
Heidi said they were not “star struck” when they met the cast, which includes John Rhys-Davies (Indiana Jones, Lord of the Rings, Princess Diaries), Kara Killmer (NBC’s Chicago Fire), and Andrew Cheney (Seasons of Gray).
“They were kind and humble people who genuinely seemed to enjoy interacting with everyone in attendance,” Heidi said. “After a while you kind of forgot you were interacting with people on the big screen as they were very relatable. John Rhys-Davies added a humorous element to the event by getting into character several times throughout the evening.”
The film has other local ties, as well. Executive Producer, Tim Hoerr, is a local businessman in Champaign, and is an acquaintance of Thane. The Director, Chad Burns, is a PhD graduate of the University of Illinois.
“Beyond the Mask” has been rated PG, and can be seen locally at the Goodrich Savoy 16 Theater.
