Name: A Message 'That Transcends All Religions': Attendees Praise 'The Firing Squad' at Screening
Uploaded: 2024-05-05T15:57:55.000Z
Description: <em>Join us to be part of this fantastic film: <a href="https://wefunder.com/firingsquadfilm/">https://wefunder.com/firingsquadfilm/</a></em>

Sean Marshall is a reporter based at NTD's global headquarters in New York City, primarily covering business and technology trends. 

Sean Marshall

NTD Plus

News

Breaking news and in-depth analysis from the United States and beyond. We bring you the latest updates, exclusive insights, and sharp discussions on the most pressing issues. NTD Newsroom airs Monday–Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

NTD Newsroom

Netflix Sued for $105 Million Over Missing Nicolas Cage Movie

Andrew Thomas is a reporter for NTD News primarily covering business, the economy, and technology. 

Andrew Thomas

Kuwaiti Defense Ministry Says Iranian Drones Violated Airspace

The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. 

The Associated Press

US News

State News

California

F-35 Fighter Jet Crashes at San Diego Airbase

Don Ma is an anchor and senior business correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Don is the anchor and producer of NTD's "Business Matters," which airs weekdays at 4:30 pm ET.

Don Ma

Fixing Low Reading Scores Due to Cellphone Over-Use Starts With Parents: Author

Trump’s Middle East Strategy Revealed With Saudi Involvement: Analyst

Chase is an award-winning journalist. He covers national news for The Epoch Times and is based out of Tennessee. For news tips, send Chase an email at chase.smith@epochtimes.us or connect with him on X.

Chase Smith

Politics

2026 Midterm Elections

Democrat Mandela Barnes Suspends Wisconsin Governor Campaign 12 Days Before Primary

What Is the Pied-à-Terre Tax Introduced by NYC Mayor Mamdani?

Iran Keeping US From Building Up Forces in Pacific Against China: Pentagon Insider

Judge Rules Wisconsin Voters Cannot Request New Absentee Ballots Once Returned

Mamdani Grocers 'Absolutely Not a Working-Class, Pro-New York Proposal': Professor

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (July 31)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (July 30)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (July 29)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (July 28)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (July 27)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (July 24)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (July 23)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (July 22)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (July 21)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (July 20)

Tom Gantert is a reporter for The Epoch Times.

Tom Gantert

Melina Wisecup is NTD's congressional correspondent based in Washington, covering Capitol Hill and campaign politics.

Melina Wisecup

Executive Branch

Trump Uses Recent Speeches to Warn Americans of Resurging Communism

Juliet Song is an international correspondent exclusively covering China news for NTD. She primarily contributes to NTD's "China in Focus," covering U.S.-China relations, the Chinese regime's human rights abuses, and domestic unrest inside China.

Juliet Song

Shows

Fast, compelling, first-hand news from China. China in Focus airs Monday–Friday at 9:30 p.m. ET.

China in Focus

2.8 Million People in China Evacuated Amid Typhoon Bavi

NTD Movies

NTD+ Movies

The Unrestricted War

NTD Newsroom comprises teams of reporters, editors, and producers assigned to cover breaking news and other stories.


US Announces Visa Restrictions Targeting Cybercriminals

Joseph Lord is a congressional reporter for The Epoch Times.


Joseph Lord

Congress

House Passes Legislation to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent

Troy Myers is a regional reporter based in St. Augustine, Florida. His background includes breaking, criminal justice, and investigative writing for local news, producing on a national morning newscast in Washington, D.C., and working with an award-winning, weekly investigative news program. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his dog at the beach.

Troy Myers

Jason Perry is an Army veteran and NTD's national security correspondent. Jason primarily covers border security, national defense, foreign wars, and veterans' issues.

Jason Perry

Courts

Appeals Court Upholds Block on Trump Order to Tighten Mail-In Voting, Citizenship Verification

Sen. Lindsey Graham Likely Died After Aorta Tear, Medical Examiner Says

Bringing you the latest videos, livestreams, and premieres.


NTD Videos

Label

Live

NTD+ Live

Trump Makes an Announcement on Freedom Hauler in the White House

Mary Man is a writer for NTD. She has traveled around the world covering China, international news, and arts and culture.

Mary Man

China News

China Floods: Thousands at Risk After Multiple Dams Collapse in Guangxi

Jackson Richman is a Washington correspondent for The Epoch Times. In addition to Washington politics, he covers the intersection of politics and sports/sports and culture. He previously was a writer at Mediaite and Washington correspondent at Jewish News Syndicate. His writing has also appeared in The Washington Examiner. He is an alum of George Washington University.

Jackson Richman

House Passes Defense Policy Bill That Attaches SAVE America Act

<em>Join us to be part of this fantastic film: <a href="https://wefunder.com/firingsquadfilm/">https://wefunder.com/firingsquadfilm/</a></em>

The highly-anticipated screening of “The Firing Squad” previewed at Warner Bros. Studios in Los Angeles on March 2. The private screening was attended by Oscar-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr. and well-known actor Kevin Sorbo, where guests watched the cinematic retelling of a true story about Christian prisoners who face execution in a third-world country.

Imagine being put on death row, and consider the mental state you’d be in: Would you be racked with fear? Fall into a deep depression? Or despair and lament in your final moments? According to Hollywood director Timothy Chey, this isn’t the case with every inmate who faces execution. He said the story of 3 Christian inmates in a foreign prison who were at peace with their approaching ends captivated his attention.

Timothy Chey: “I heard about this film on CNN, believe it or not. And it talked about an American, a Brit, a Singaporean man, and seven others who were facing execution. And what really stunned me was the fact that the anchor said: ‘How would they feel right now, the night of the execution?’ and they said: 'They’re calm.' And the TV anchor said 'Why?' And he said 'Because they have a Savior.' As soon as I heard 'Savior,' I said, 'Ahh, hey, there’s something more to this.'”

Kevin Sorbo: “I've met people in my life, religious leaders in my life, and some can get up there and just 'Hallelujah, Jesus!' But some have this, this calm power about them. And that’s the way I wanted to play this character.”

The notion that a faithless convict can do a complete reversal and turn to God could sound far-fetched to some, but to Cuba Gooding Jr., being forced to confront the inevitable might be the moment that changes it all.

Cuba Gooding Jr.: “What’s darker than the fact that you know that you’re about to meet your maker, you know? You’re about to end your life? And do you do it in fear? Do you do it in despair? Or do you give thanks for what you have? And what has been given to you? And do you appreciate that moment?”

Alejandro Cruzet: “I think that the message was very strong. I think that it’s a message that’s universal, that transcends all religions, not just of Christianity. And that is that of forgiveness, and compassion, and the ability of man to be redeemed through faith.”

To some first-timer viewers watching this movie, the implications of the death penalty go way beyond the legal concepts of criminal law.

Lethanial Matulessya (student): “In the movie, it mentions how everyone has a death penalty, a death sentence, in the end. And I think if you think about it that way, if you just give up your life to Christ, then in the end everything kind of just flows through.”

Despite the film’s Christian themes, audience members praised its universal message.

Faith Barrett (non-participating actress): "I wouldn’t say that it was 'a Christian film'—I would say that it’s a really cool movie, and then you discover God, you know what I mean?”

Lethaniel Matulessya (student): “It puts a message out there that some people are kind of blind (to) or just don’t know too much about, and I definitely think it shines light on it.”

The Epoch Times and Epoch Studios are releasing the film in 2,500 theaters across the United States and around the world this August. If you’re interested in a based-on-real-life film of a drug trafficker sentenced to death row who finds redemption and spiritual faith in an unlikely place, you should check out “The Firing Squad” on Aug. 9.

Latest

Entertainment News

hollywood

Videos

04_Top Stories

Latest Clips

B.J. Kang is a California-based reporter for NTD. He focuses on local news, human interest stories, and national news. He’s based in the Los Angeles area.

B.J. Kang

Latest and breaking news, documentaries, movies, and lifestyle content on NTD+.
 
Empower your knowledge and elevate your spirit with NTD+, your go-to destination for truthful news, insightful documentaries, and captivating lifestyle content that enriches your life.

A Message 'That Transcends All Religions': Attendees Praise 'The Firing Squad' at Screening

Cary Dunst is the news anchor for NTD Evening News. He is also the co-host of NTD Good Morning.


Cary Dunst

News with integrity, from the United States and around the world. Focused reports and analyses that shed light on major issues the world deserves to know. NTD Evening News airs daily at 6 p.m. ET.

NTD Evening News

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 31)

Stefania Cox is an NTD News anchor and national correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Stefania anchors "NTD Newsroom," and co-anchors "NTD News Today" weekdays at 10:00 am ET.

Stefania Cox

News you can trust from the U.S. and around the world. Critical information and insight. We cover the stories that others don’t. NTD News Today airs Monday–Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

NTD News Today

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (July 31)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 30)

We present news that is truthful and based on facts, outside of the political fog. Instead of focusing on the negative things happening around us, our mission is to give our viewers a good morning with empathetic and uplifting stories. Our aim is to provide an antidote to negativity by shining a light on the best side of people. We speak to inspiring people who positively impact communities, pursue topics that represent our common human values, and will never miss an opportunity to bring you heartwarming stories.

NTD Good Morning

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (July 30)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 29)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (July 29)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (July 29)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 28)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (July 28)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (July 28)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 27)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (July 27)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (July 27)

Chris Beers is an NTD News anchor and political correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Chris co-anchors "NTD News Today" weekdays at 10:00 am ET.

Chris Beers

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 26)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 24)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (July 24)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (July 24)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 23)

Special Coverage

2026 Rally and March to End the Persecution of Falun Dafa

Paul Greaney is an NTD news anchor and producer. Since joining the company in 2018, he has anchored the station’s flagship Evening News broadcast, launched the NTD Business show, and produced documentary reports on pointed issues. 

The highlight of Paul’s time in the field was his coverage of the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests in 2019.