Jenn Gotzon Discusses Faith and First-Time Producing: ‘God Has Plans to Prosper Us and Not to Harm Us’
By Movieguide® Staff
Producer and actress in THE FARMER AND THE BELLE: SAVING SANTALAND Jenn Gotzon recently sat down with Movieguide® founder Dr. Ted Baehr to discuss how she entered into the entertainment business by faith and not by sight.
Gotzon revealed that the story was loosely based on her personal experience but had no idea of how or where to start.
“I called you Ted. I said, ‘Ted, what do I do?’ And you go, ‘take my class,’ and I go, ‘Okay, when is it?’ And he goes ‘tomorrow,'” Gotzon recalled. “I’m like, I just drove up from Georgia, I’m entering my home in New York City, ‘What do you mean? Get on a plane and you go?'”
However, Gotzon made the journey from Georgia to California, a turning point in her pursuit of making her first movie.
“I got on that plane that next morning and I rented a car, and the only portion of your class that I missed was you speaking in the beginning, and I got the wisdom and then I came back the following year because I knew I needed to learn more, and you became that foundational base for me to know how to produce and how to launch what God is blessed as our first franchise,” she said.
Faith and other biblical truths are throughout SAVING SANTALAND and reflect Gotzon’s journey of trusting God with making the movie.
“It’s not a preachy movie, but it’s biblically intertwined,” she explained. “And one of the main points we talked about is to use whatever gift we’ve been given to serve others. And when we do that with joy, that joy is one of the most attractive qualities.”
A portion of Movieguide®’s review reads:
THE FARMER AND THE BELLE: SAVING SANTALAND is a wide video on demand release. The fact that the story is based on true events adds to its appeal. SAVING SANTALAND has a strong Christian, biblical worldview. Its message stresses on finding your worth from the truth of God rather than the standards of the world. Also, several scenes showcase prayer, the true meaning of Christmas, and the value of public confession and repentance. THE FARMER AND THE BELLE: SAVING SANTALAND is a “feel good” movie for families, with little questionable content.
“I think one of the most beautiful attributes that we all have, if we choose to, is the joy of Jesus. You know, one of the biggest things we researched and we spent time with teens and with women, we took all of this psychological and biblical truth,” she continued. “And we put it up on its feet to say ‘what really helps people do what it tells us in Romans?’ To be transformed by the renewing of our mind?”
After successfully launching her first movie, Gotzon also announced that the second movie in the franchise is in the works.
“Our second movie is going to be about a fulfilling marriage, because I went through divorce, and I know now what it is to have love,” Gotzon said. “I see so many friends who are struggling in their marriage. And we want to be a resource through comedy and fun moments and pearls of wisdom, to give tools to help other families and couples.”
Comedy plays an important role in Gotzon’s movies, but so does the importance of relying on God. Gotzon recalled her desire to convey that when people see themselves as God sees them, it allows for both obedience and joy.
“We have to first start by opening our hearts,” Gotzon said. “Once we understand what our calling is, we could be obedient to our calling, and know that God has plans to prosper us and not to harm us. I hold on to Christ…”
Read Also: Creators Confirm Christian Romance Movie THE FARMER AND THE BELLE Will Have a Sequel
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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