Epoch Studios’ “The Firing Squad” premiered at a special red carpet screening in New York on March 30.
The movie follows the lives of eight prisoners in Indonesia who were put to death by firing squad in 2015.
It’s inspired by the true story of drug traffickers who find God within the walls of a prison.
The story of Christians being executed by a firing squad gained global attention at the time.
“Firing Squad” features some household names like Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr., Kevin Sorbo, and Academy Award nominee Eric Roberts.
Lead actor James Barrington plays a wealthy drug runner who goes through a transformation while awaiting his fate.
The actor says it’s easy in the modern world to be flooded with glitz, glamour, and temptations.
“But at the end of the day, we’re all going to one place and having a faith in God, that’s really what matters,” Mr. Barrington said.
Timothy Chey says “The Firing Squad” is the 16th film he has directed.
He says the film will make you cry and think. He believes it will purify society.
“A guy came into one of our previous movies and said, I was on the verge of suicide, but I saw your movie and I accepted Jesus. And now I’m a new man,” Mr. Chey said.
The message he hopes people will get from the film is that no one is beyond redemption.
“I am the chiefest of sinners. No one sinned more than me. But God forgave me. He gave me a new life.”
Actor Jonathan Nagy appreciates the films message that people can overcome evil and once again find their way.
Mr. Nagy said: “There’s light where there’s darkness, no matter what your circumstances are. And I think that a lot of people are feeling the film.”
Those who saw the film came away impressed.
Audience member: “It exceeded my expectations. Like I said. I was not expecting to cry.”
Another audience member said: “It was really heartfelt. It was really a real tearful, heart-warming movie.”
The film’s subject strongly affected Cuba Gooding Jr., who recommitted his life to God on the set.
“The Firing Squad” is Epoch Studios’ first Christian-focused film. It will be released nationwide in theaters in August.
