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In 125 theaters across 29 states, independent film "Freetown" made about $260,000 at the conclusion of its premiere week in theaters.
From director Garrett Batty, who also directed "The Saratov Approach," and producer Adam Abel, who also produced "Saints and Soldiers" comes a story of six missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints caught in a civil war in their home country of Liberia. In order to continue serving, they flee to Freetown, Sierra Leone.
With the help of an LDS Church member, the Mormon missionaries make the dangerous journey, dodging warfare and rebels who wish to take their lives in this film based on a true story.
“Although this movie is based on an LDS-focused theme, it carries a powerful message for people of any faith,” Brandon Purdie, founder of the film’s distribution partner, Purdie Distribution, stated in a recent press release. “We’re pleased that the film inspired so many in its opening weekend.”
For independent films, theater engagements are decided on a week-to-week basis. Originally, "Freetown" was only slated to be in theaters for one week, but due to its reception, it will be extended for another week in about one-third of the theaters.
“Inspiring others through faith-filled stories and staying true to those remarkable stories is a filmmaker’s dream,” Abel stated in the news release. “This story has it all — courage, strength, turmoil, evil and most importantly, faith.”
Email: mswensen@deseretnews.com