Robert Whitlow: Special Screening of The List September 9, 2011

Special Screening of Robert Whitlow's, The List at First Baptist Church
Films on faith: Not just for Christians any more
Best-selling author Robert Whitlow, local actor R. Keith Harris to appear at special, fund-raising screening of “The List” in September

HOLLYWOOD – Faith-based films have long been a part of the Christian community, but rarely—if ever—touted in Hollywood. Until recently. “Tree of Life”, by director Terence Malik is one example. With strong religious and spiritual themes, the film has A-list Hollywood power surging through it and the industry calls it a strong contender for multiple, mainstream awards.

“It’s been said that there are two groups of Christian films—those made by Christians for Christians, and those made by Christians for the public,” says award-winning Christian author Robert Whitlow.

Whitlow would know: two of his novels—The List (Thomas Nelson, 2000) and The Trial (2001) have been made into movies. A third novel, Jimmy (2005), has been optioned into a film and starts shooting this fall.

On September 10, the Reidsville Federated Women’s Club will host a special screening of Whitlow’s film The List at the First Baptist Church in order to raise money for various community organizations. The List is a thriller that follows a struggling young attorney who learns of a secret inheritance after his father’s death. The clandestine society that provides the inheritance soon threatens to change him in more ways than one—forever.

Whitlow and local actor R. Keith Harris, one of the film’s stars, will speak prior to the film and Whitlow will also sign copies of his latest book, Water’s Edge. Proceeds will go to the Federated Women’s Club, which will then funnel the funds to organizations such as Operation Smile, Reading is Fundamental, the Salvation Army, and to scholarship funds and art supplies for Reidsville schools.

“The List was created to appeal to moviegoers across all spectrums,” says Whitlow. “I think one key to its success has been the timeless themes it contains—the danger of greed, every man’s search for a father, and the role of the supernatural, which plays such a huge role in the lives of people everywhere.”

In an industry that likes to politely ignore Christian films in favor of big-budget, blow-up blockbusters, faith films are becoming more and more prevalent. The Blind Side, a major Sandra Bullock vehicle, was not blatantly Christian but incredibly inspirational and hope-fueled. Soul Surfer, starring country superstar Carrie Underwood, surpassed Hollywood expectations over and over after its release in April. It’s clear that Christian filmmakers hope to cast a wide net, audience-wise. It’s a sentiment Whitlow shares.