Over the course of the last year we have had the chance to watch a bit “behind the scenes” of the upcoming release of the teen-targeted movie “To Save a Life” from New Song films.  We got to watch a couple of pre-screenings, helped with a screening in Irvine, CA, and laughed whenever we actually spent a night in the RV at the Oceanside Harbour campground (a few of the scenes from the movie are shot there).  ANYWAY…

ITS ABOUT TO BE PUBLICLY RELEASED!!!!

After more than a year of preparation and development, this film will release in theatres nationwide January 22nd.  The film features the story of two teenagers whose paths separated at the beginning of highschool.  One was escorted into the spotlight, and the other faded into obscurity.  The film does an amazing job at addressing issues relevant to today’s teens including suicide, cutting, teen pregnancy, drugs and drinking, and divorce, without seeming too over the top by piling them all on one character.

If you are in High School or Junior High ministry, or if you know a teenager, take them to a theater near you on opening week.  You can check out the trailer here for a bit more of a taste of this great film!  There is also a great site for leaders with tools to help you use this film as an outreach opportunity.

Director Brian Baugh said, “(This is) a film made with a different approach, a different production value, with a different vision…(it) looks at real teen culture—as edgy and uncomfortable as it can be at times…with characters and a story that have credibility.”  With 12,000 church leaders and youth seeing the film in pre-screenings, viewers rated the film’s quality at 9.0 out of 10 and 9.3 out of 10 for ministry usefulness. The film has also been hailed by leading teen ministries: Josh McDowell called the film “excellent” and“relevant”; Ron Luce of Teen Mania Ministries called the film “important” and “a wake-up call for teens”; and author and veteran youth minister Brooklyn Lindsey called the film “more than a movie—it’s an invitation for teens to be a part of something bigger than themselves.”