More than 2,000 see 'To Save A Life'

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PRINCETON — The “To Save A Life” movie has been extended for another week at the Apollo Theater in Princeton, but the message of the film will hopefully be felt for years to come.

On Friday, Aaron Brawner, local organizer for the film’s promotion, said 2,129 people have seen the movie at the Princeton theater since it opened Jan. 23. Because of the good response, the movie has been extended through Feb. 11.

The movie tells the story of a popular teenage boy whose life is changed dramatically when a childhood friend commits suicide. The response to the movie has been remarkable, Brawner said Friday.

“I’ve heard nothing but overwhelmingly positive things. People are saying it’s realistic and relevant to both churched and unchurched kids. I’ve had several parents say they have had open conversations with their kids about the issues raised in this movie as a direct result of watching the film,” Brawner said. “I know tons of teens who have seen the movie numerous times. Others have said it is the best movie they have ever seen, including an older woman from my church, so it’s not just teens that love it.” 

The movie itself is not important other than being a vessel for the message it contains, Brawner said. 

“When people see the movie, they are moved not just by the actor’s skills or the cinematography, but I believe more so by the deeper message of the movie: To love God and love others well, including reaching out to those who are hurting, broken and lonely,” Brawner said. “It says that people are tired of sweeping these issues under the rug. I hope it says that people are ready to face these issues head on, whatever the cost, rather than ignoring them and hoping they go away. I hope we’ve learned that things just get worse when we do that.” 
 
Many area churches have gotten behind the movie outreach, especially Christ Community, Hampshire Colony, Evangelical Covenant, Princeton Bible, First Lutheran, all in Princeton, and Bunker Hill Church of God in Buda, as well as the local Young Life program, Brawner said. In addition, several Bureau County businesses and groups have donated to help with the outreach.

Working closely with Brawner on the movie promotion has been the Community Partners Against Substance Abuse (CPASA), an outreach of the Bureau/Putnam County Health Department.

The movie has been promoted through billboards, local newspaper and radio advertisements, posters, fliers and 400 free tickets. CPASA has provided pamphlets on every issue raised in the movie and also distributed surveys to people attending the movie.

Follow-up to the movie has been an important part of the outreach, Brawner said. After several showings, coffee and pizza were provided at the TownsEnd Coffee House and Cafe. Christ Community Church hosted a community meeting with speakers talking on subjects like teen depression, cutting and abortion.

On Friday, CPASA chairman Dawn Conerton said she’s pleased with the response to the movie but not really surprised. The message of the movie needs to be heard and addressed, she said.

“You realize how important this message is and how a community can pull together for an important issue,” Conerton said. “I think people are realizing something needs to be done to help others in our community, especially our youth.”

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