Can SAVING SANTALAND Save Small Theaters, Christian Bookstores?
By Movieguide® Staff
While significant theater chains like AMC and Cinemark were able to stem the effects of pandemic-related closures, small theater chains around the country struggled to stay in business.
However, the creators of the faith-based Christmas movie, THE FARMER AND THE BELLE: SAVING SANTALAND, announced a new campaign that seeks to help out family-owned theaters and bookstores.
In a recent press release, the FARMER AND THE BELLE creators said they would release their hit holiday movie in “hand-picked theaters across the country.”
“The fan-favorite will release Nov 19 in hand-picked theaters across the country after the movie premieres on 42nd Street in Times Square at Regal Cinema on Tuesday, Nov 9, 2021,” the press release reads.
Actress and actor-producer duo Jenn Gotzon and Jim E. Chandler missed out on their theatrical release last year due to the pandemic in 2020.
Gotzen and Chandler are excited to bring families together for the family-friendly viewing of the movie in the theaters that need business most.
“We have received emails and phone calls from countless women explaining how the movie made their family laugh and feel valued during the holidays. With only 100,000+ people reached and millions of people in the nation, we are releasing in theaters to inspire hope in movie-goer’s lives nationwide! Let’s make a new Christmas tradition together,” Gotzon said.
A portion of Movieguide®’s review reads:
THE FARMER AND THE BELLE: SAVING SANTALAND follows Belle Winters, a tired supermodel who’s worried about aging out of the industry. One evening in her apartment in New York City, Belle remembers a charm bracelet with biblical beauty affirmations that her grandmother gave Belle when she was a child. Belle no longer has the bracelet but thinks it might be at Santaland, a Christmas farm where she played in her youth. Desperate to find the bracelet, Belle sets out to find it and ends up finding herself in the process.
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.
Gotzon recently spoke with Movieguide® Founder and Publisher Dr. Ted Baehr about her movie and experience in Hollywood.
Movieguide® previously reported:
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.”
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.
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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