Director Does His Part to Bring Family-Friendly Movies Back to Hollywood
By Movieguide® Contributor
Christian filmmaker Sean McNamara explained why he believes family-friendly movies have a place in Hollywood and shared how he is working to bring them back.
“I like something that the whole family can watch together,” McNamara told Crosswalk Headlines. “And the things I grew up on, like THE WALTONS or BRADY BUNCH — those are the sorts of things I want to bring back to the new generation.”
McNamara has worked to deliver this type of content for over 70 projects. His best-known work, Teddy Bear Award® winner SOUL SURFER, reveals the other messages he works to convey.
“If I had lost my arm to a shark attack, I think I would never get back in the ocean,” he said. “[Bethany Hamilton goes] ‘not only am I going to get back in the ocean — I’m going to compete at the highest level’ — and she does it. So I like making stories that show people going up against incredible odds, fighting back, and being able to move on with that.”
He has continued to fight for these values through other popular movies such as HOOVEY, THE MIRACLE SEASON, ON A WING AND PRAYER and his new series, SHADRACH.
“[In SHADRACH,] we have a family that gets kicked out of downtown Atlanta because of bankruptcy – and the brother did some nefarious business. They ended up living with grandma and grandpa on a farm with a stable – and how boring could that be for young kids?” said McNamara.
“And then they find the beauty of that — the beauty in animals. And so when you can tell stories about characters that can change and can adapt — those are the ones that I like to do,” he continued. “I think all of our lives, we have to change and adapt all the time…I think it will draw the family closer together when they watch it.”
A portion of Movieguide®’s review of SHADRACH reads:
SHADRACH is a heartwarming family series on Great American Pure Flix. The series follows Anna, a young girl who must adjust to life in the country when her father’s business goes bust. Anna’s reluctant at first to embrace her new circumstances. However, after connecting with a horse she names Shadrach, she starts to enjoy her new life. In the first episode, Anna encounters Shadrach, but he belongs to a neighbor who treats the horse badly. Can Anna and her grandpa figure out a way to buy Shadrach from the neighbor? In the second episode, a spooked Shadrach bucks Anna and her handicapped brother. Can they convince their parents to let Michael keep riding Shadrach?
SHADRACH is now available to stream on Great American Pure Flix. McNamara also directed the upcoming Ronald Reagan biopic starring Dennis Quaid.
“I want them to walk through the theater and go, ‘I learned something about Ronald Reagan. I laughed, I cried, I saw some things that maybe he didn’t do so well, and I saw some things that only he could have done,'” the director said of REAGAN.
Movieguide® previously reported on SHADRACH:
Great American Pure Flix just announced its next original series, and it’s perfect for families with animal lovers.
“SHADRACH tells the story of the Wilson family’s move from the city to the country. Not surprisingly, the Wilsons have many adjustments to make as they acclimate themselves to their new surroundings. But when 12-year-old Anna Wilson (Levi Birch) takes a shortcut through the woods on her way home from school, she encounters a majestic horse that changes all their lives forever,” a synopsis reads.
“There has always been a need and demand for faith-forward, uplifting content, and Great American Pure Flix is proud to continue to meet the need for quality, life-affirming stories” Bill Abbott, president & CEO, Great American Media, said in a press release.
“When comparing streamers in the faith and family space, Great American Pure Flix delivers more original programs than anyone in the category,” he added. “SHADRACH is the fourth original series this year and the Sony/Affirm production is another shining example of the high quality we offer families who are looking to be enriched by their viewing experience.”
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