How David Henrie’s Faith Helps Him Be a Selfless Filmmaker
Interview by Evy Baehr Carroll, Movieguide® TV Host
Copy by Allyson Vannatta, Senior Writer
Christian actor turned filmmaker David Henrie said that his Christian faith helps him be selfless when making movies.
“Being a man of faith, it causes me to constantly make my work and life about more than myself. And it encourages me because, you know, I think selfishness is opposed to faith.” He added, “It encourages me to be more about making things for others, doing things for others, trying to be good to my neighbor and my family. Especially with the content we’re making, to do it for the good of the other person and to make it positive and to make it uplifting.”
Henrie makes his directorial debut in THIS IS THE YEAR, a movie that explores love in all its forms.
“I really wanted to explore love in all its facets. There’s brotherly love, there’s friendship love, there’s romantic love,” the soon-to-be-father of two said.
However, the storyline he wanted to focus on the most was between two brothers.
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“The brother plotline was really important to me because I think the central theme, or the central factor, in all forms of love is sacrifice. I wanted to see these guys get to a sacrificial place for each other ultimately, where they will the good of the other.”
The brother theme in the movie also played out behind the scenes as Henrie cast his younger brother, Lorenzo, as the lead character.
This movie also brought him back together with his former WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE co-star and close friend, Selena Gomez.
Gomez executive produced the movie and loved the themes in it.
“She loved the way the female characters were portrayed. She loved that we had girls being friends in the film, and they weren’t like catty, or competitive or trying to take each other down, they lifted one another and helped each other get to good places.”
Henrie said Gomez called it a “feel-good movie,” and he referenced it as something the whole family can watch together.
Both David and Lorenzo attended the 24th Annual Movieguide® Awards in 2015.
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.
