Bella: Can A Movie Save A Life?
Every once and a while a movie comes along that has the potential to change lives. But even more rare than that — one in a thousand — a movie comes along that has the potential to save lives. Bella is such a film.
Since Brett and I first saw Bella last September, we have not ceased to be excited about this film. Here is a powerful message, communicated artistically and with excellence, by three young men who are passionate about God, life, and family.
The Rebelution hosted a private screening in Salt Lake City, where we were able to spend the weekend with lead actor and producer Eduardo Verástegui. Last month, while in Los Angeles for several interviews, we stopped by Metanoai Films and spent some time with producer Leo Severino and director Alejandro Monterverde.
The three of them are an incredible picture of the Three Pillars of the Rebelution — character, competence, and collaboration — in action. Many of you experienced Bella in theaters last year and have asked how you can help spread the word. Others missed it in theaters and have asked when it would be available.
For both groups, we have great news: Bella is out on DVD.
More importantly, you can be a part of the Bella 10 Campaign — buying the DVD on Amazon.com and recruiting ten other people to do the same. Already at least fourteen lives have been saved by this film. Through the dedicated effort of rebelutionaries, that number can be increased exponentially.
Talk to your parents, siblings, and friends and decide how you can be involved in spreading this beautiful film to a world that desperately needs its message. Go out and do hard things — and come back here to let others know what you’re doing.
May 12th, 2008 at 10:52 am
I just saw this movie a few nights ago. It was beautifully gripping. I think it’s great that you guys are raising awareness about it. Truly, if only one life was saved than it would all be worth it.
May 12th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
I just saw the movie on Saturday, and as Alex just said it was truly gripping. I will talk to my family about the Bella 10 challenge.
May 12th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
I just saw that movie last night! It was really gripping…..
May 12th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
What’s really great about this movie, to me, is the quality of filmamking. Christian movies have a really bad reputation for being poorly made and unappealing, but “Bella” is excellent in every way (especially the script and camera work). Its a quality movie in every sense of the word. We need more Christian filmmakers who are willing to both edify and entertain their audience!
May 12th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Wow! You guys know everybody, don’t you?
)
May 12th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I absolutely fell in love with Bella when I first saw it back in December and cannot wait to own it. This is an amazing, amazing movie.
A sister in Christ
May 12th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
This is incredibly weird (and cool) that you posted this today. Yesterday, my mom and I met with my brother and we ended up talking about the movie, “Bella.” We were telling him how great the movie is and how much he needs to see it (and recommend it for movie night in his church’s small groups) and he mentioned that he and his roommates have been getting movies from the local library instead of renting them (because it’s free and they’re kind of on a tight budget right now). It struck me that I should encourage him to request it at the library (as I had heard people were doing with ‘Do Hard Things’) instead of renting it so that more people could see it. I don’t think he’ll really do it (he’s not too keen on listening to his little sister), but last night as I was writing an email to a friend I brought it up because I kept thinking about it and trying to think of what I could do.
I get a lot of ideas to do stuff and some of them aren’t God’s Will for me, specificially, but I end up finding out that He put the idea on my heart for me to pray about and pray for (or be ready to lend help to) the people who are supposed to do it. So anyway, I have this list with a bunch of stuff that I know God wants me to do SOMETHING about and I pray about everything on the list until He tells me what it is He wants me to do. Last night, getting word out about “Bella” went on the list. Today, this was posted.
Now I’m seriously wondering what’s up and what God wants me to do… and I’m a little afraid to find out.
May 12th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
I didn’t think that was a good movie. I thought that it was just another “soap” movie that you would get dragged into by your girlfirend/wife. I guess I gotta check it out now.
Thanx,
Greg Morehead, age 15, Pixelante Admin
May 12th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Greg: I wasn’t interested in seeing “Bella” when I first heard about it, either. I heard two things about it: It’s Christian and it’s pro-life. I RUN from most movies that claim to be Christian because I basically distrust their true purpose — too many producers of Christian media are trying to create a counter-culture or do something great and accomplish something for their own personal cause (usually with the main intention being merely to make a name for themselves or garner, by any means, some form of success) instead of being focused on what they should be focused on: Glorifying God and turning people’s hearts to Him. And I take issue with several pro-life campaigns for the same reasons. But then I saw an interview (connected with an interview Alex and Brett did) with Eduardo Verástegui and, well… what he said was so incredible that it caught me off guard and told me that this truly was a Christian and pro-life movie in the true sense of both names. The name of the production company Eduardo and his two friends started says it all: Metanoai (meaning, to turn people’s hearts to God). It’s real purpose truly isn’t anything less than that.
Something that struck me as really cool was that the movie is filmed like an action movie, yet it’s a drama — so definitely not what I expected (or what it sounds like you also would expect). The cinematography, the acting, the casting, the directing… everything — even down to the lighting of each shot and the pace of the film — is all incredible. It’s beyond the standards set by Hollywood, by far.
Before I saw it, I heard that the story-line was hard to follow, but it really isn’t too hard — I actually liked the aspect of not knowing the full meaning of everything the first time through or knowing immediately in each scene what was past, present, etc. (as in, it doesn’t keep going, “1 year ago…” and thus insulting your intelligence) because it gave me reason to watch it again soon (as one should want to do with all great movies).
So, I guess I’m saying, absolutely check it out — it’s great!!
And for anyone else who has doubts about it — give it a chance and I think you’ll be surprised (as I was). It really is amazing and really does have the potential to save many lives. It’s definitely a movie worth watching (even if you don’t normally watch movies of this “type” — whatever catagories it’s been put in). And it’s definitely worth sharing with everyone you know.
May 12th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
it is funny you should post about this movie, I just saw it 2 days ago. It was a wonderful story and it portrayed the importance of life at a new level.
May 13th, 2008 at 4:45 am
This movie is great! I dragged one of my friends to the theater and made her watch it and it really impacted her! Thank you for posting these links I am def. buying it!
May 13th, 2008 at 6:12 am
I saw it over a year ago in a preview and have been promoting it on my blog. I got all my homeschool mom friends to see it as a group and thank the theatre owner for showing it.
I just bought the DVD and my family watched it again for Mother’s Day. It was perfect. A movie about helping a mother in trouble.
Let’s take Jose’s example to heart and help those needy moms out there!
May 13th, 2008 at 6:22 am
How emotionally intense is Bella?
It sounds like a wonderful movie to add to my families collection(and donate to the library). But on the family level, my dad has health problems that make it unwise(most of the time) to watch emotionally charged movies as he just doesn’t have the energy to deal with the emotions. I’d like some clarity about when it would be wise to introduce the film in my home.
SO on a scale of 1, being emotionally detached, and 10, being about the level of The Passion(or any video account of that part of Scripture). How would you rate Bella?
Thanks much for the help!
P.S. to Nicole, a lot of libraries operate on an extremely tight budget. You might consider buying the film yourself and giving it to them. That would bless the employees by not adding to their budget stress and might give you the chance to present the Gospel to the staff as the reason behind your giving. It would also get the DVD in the Library’s stock much sooner.
May 13th, 2008 at 9:17 am
My family saw Bella a couple nights ago. I really enjoyed it. I laughed, I cried, it moved me.
May 13th, 2008 at 10:25 am
I’ve heard about the movie but I never really thought about watching it. I’m going to have to go rent it!
May 13th, 2008 at 10:31 am
My mom bought the DVD (plus 2 copies to give out!) and we enjoyed watching it. I saw it on Sunday night, and it was great!
May 13th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Cool, I’ve never even heard of the movie, yet, I can’t wait to see it!
P.S. Sooo have you guys visited the president yet? You seem to get around enough to have!
May 13th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
It sounds like a good movie
May 13th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
This is an AWESOME movie! It made me cray SO hard!
I still tear up when I remember it! I thought it was awesome
how it was a GREAT Christian movie with great actors and stuff!
An awesome message too!
~lily
May 13th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Grace: I saw it last fall, so I might not be too accurate, but I’d say on your 1 - 10 scale Bella would be about 7 or 8. (Other opinions anyone?) It is very good and God glorifying, but there are very few lighter moments. From your description of your dad’s health, I wouldn’t suggest it. However, if you get an opportunity to see it yourself I would highly recommend Bella! I hope this isn’t confusing.
May 13th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Grace: Thank you for your suggestion — it’s definitely something I’m taking into consideration. Please understand that I didn’t mention what I, personally, am going to do to spread word about “Bella” — partially due to the fact that I don’t know the extent of it yet. But I still thought it worthwhile to bring up the thought of getting it into libraries so brought up the suggestion to my brother (who just lost his job so personally is operating on an extremely tight budget and would be unable to purchase, or even rent, the film for the time being). Just in case you’re brainstorming ideas; another idea that came up today was to get it into homeless shelters for families — we have a few in our city and from talking with people who have helped out I know they do movie nights and since families are only allowed to stay there for a month at a time I bet it would reach a lot of people.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! =)
May 13th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Hey,
I haven’t seen ‘Bella’ and I am wondering if anyone could tell me if there is inmodesty on the movie. I’m not sure if it would be a good one for my family since I have brothers. If anyone could help me out I would appreciate it!!
May 14th, 2008 at 6:32 am
Sounds like a really good film. Will order my copy tonight.
May 14th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Hey Kayla i have brothers too so i totally know how you feel and all. i looked on a parent review called kids in mind and they talked about the woman being pregnant with no husband and that she wears a low cut tanktop most of the movie, they talk about a woman wanting an abortion but she doesnt go through with it. But it doesnt say anything else about inmodesty in the movie tanktops were about the only thing so hope this helps! Honestly i havent see the movie yet either but i really want to it sounds really good! =)
May 14th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Hey so now can anyone help me…im having like major doubt about God latley i seem to really be pulling away from him lately. I told my parents and everything but they didnt really seem to help. My dad shoved “Do Hard Things” in my face and i read it, it was really good but im still having doubt i really need help. Ive gone through this doubt thing for 2 years ever sense i tried to convert my friend tailor but no matter what i said he didnt believe so then i started questioning… and then i got confused… and then i blamed God… so basicly i need some major help and some major Christian 101 haha
Oh and sorry this is a little A.D.D but can anyone explain to me why some of the names are black and some are red thanx =)
, Skylar
May 14th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Skylar: Thanks for sharing. I’ll pray for you. Talking to your parents is definitely a good thing to do. Getting a pastor involved might be good too. Parents and pastors can get more into your specific needs. Not knowing you, I don’t know what you do for devotions, but reading your Bible consistantly and praying is a must. In addition, you might try reading Knowing God by J.I. Packer or The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer. Read them slowly, they are both pretty deep in their explainations of the attributes of God. I love both of those books and always come away more amazed at who God is. As a reminder, God wants a relationship with you so much that He crushed His Son with the wrath your sin deserved so that you could be righteous and able to stand in His presence. There is no greater measure of God’s love for you than the cross. Keep the gospel in mind always. Matthew 7:7-11 Keep seeking after God, you will not be disappointed.
As for your friend, God is in control of Tailor. You cannot save your friend, all you can do is be faithful to preach the gospel. It may be that Tailor will become a Christian later in life and you may not see it. The important part is being faithful in your part and praying for your friend. Leave the rest in God’s hands. He is fully capable and wise and His plans are far beyond what you or I could imagine. I don’t understand why He does what He does, but I can bet you that if we were Him, we would do the same thing! Maybe in Heaven we’ll understand, but until then, we must trust. I hope this was helpful! God bless your pursuit of Him.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
this movie took my breath away.
May 15th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Skylar: Thanks so much for sharing. I’ve had the same problem in trying to witness to people I really care about — in particular, my older brother and my former best friend. Both were supposed to be Christians, but they turned completely away from God and I just couldn’t — and still can’t — pull them back. It’s really, really hard for me — especially when I see God working in their lives and that they still ignore Him and refuse to believe. Sometimes it does feel like they do a better job of influencing us (making us doubt our abilities, our hope, taking away our peace, even, at times) than we do influencing them (witnessing of God’s Faithfulness and Saving Grace, our Hope in Jesus, and offering the Peace we know in a way that they will accept it). My brother and my former best friend have really made me doubt that I can accomplish anything for God. But that’s not true — it’s just that satan is on an agenda and that is his plan: To make us doubt God and His Power to work through human vessels.
I also had a time of serious doubting, although I grew up going to church and thought I had become a Christian when I was 3 or 4. Many important missionaries, if you happen upon reading any popular (or once popular) biographies, have gone through times of doubt. Ask God to use this time and the doubts that you’ve had for His (and your) good. Ask Him to show you, in His Way and by His Grace, His Love for you and that He truly IS, in a way that you can never doubt it again — and ask Him to transform you and grant you a heart to believe and surrender yourself to Him. And do whatever you can to seek Him wholeheartedly in the process of waiting — it will be worth it, I promise! Persevere, persevere, persevere, peresevere, persevere until you have found Him and you know Him in a way that you could never let go of His Hand and could never take you eyes from Him because you have found His Love, and are compelled to love Him in return, in such a way.
I’m not sure of the power of my own words or my own testimony to cause anyone to even want to be Saved or to believe in and know God. But I do know, without a fraction of a doubt, that God IS — that He Exists; that He listens and answers prayer; that He has not and will not forsake you or I; that He has all Power to Save you and I (and anyone else who will seek Him wholeheartedly, await His Answer, His Way, and believe); that He Loves you and I beyond any love of this world; and that it is wholly and entirely worth it to seek Him until you find Him as you truly, deep-down need Him, whatever the cost or time it takes.
He may not answer your prayers or be found as soon as you’d like, in the way that you’d like, but once you seek Him and find Him in a way that you’ll never doubt in this way ever again….. you’ll understand all the “whys” you need to know and you’ll know that His Way is better and that it was worth it — every step of the way towards the One who hung on the Cross and bore excruciating pain and terrible insults so that He could be with you and Love you and bless you for eternity.
God bless you, friend.
May 15th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Megan: that was extremely helpful ill take a look at those books. Yeah about my devotion life i kind of gave that up along time ago i never really got into it and kind of got bored of it. Thanx for prayng for me i really need it. I dont want to loose my relationship but i just felt so discusted with myself for beig lukewarm i know he hates that so since i couldnt totally commit myself i choose to just take a break for a while. I know that might have not been the greatest decition but i didnt know what else to do; every time i read my bible i like fall asleep =( so yeah… Im really triying to get back on track and my friends are all christians and are helping me. My friend Austin told me the other day that everyone has doubt and that it is just a part of faith. He looks at me doubting as my faith becoming my own and not just my parents does that make since? haha well Thank you sooo Much!! — Skylar =)
May 15th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Regarding the “Bella” movie campaign, I’ve been trying to get creative about it (honestly, since I don’t have 10 friends to email). God showed me something I can do. One reason I’m going to write this idea in here is to commit myself to doing it (and I encourage anybody else who has any ideas to do the same — it really helps). Another reason is to challenge you all, if you feel God leading you to do something and you think this idea will work for you, to do the same.
There are 5 movies I’ve been looking forward to seeing this summer. For each movie, I’m going to, instead of seeing the movie in theaters, put the money my mom and I would pay for two tickets aside. When I get enough money to buy the minimum 28 required to bulk-order this movie, I will. I’m looking for other ways to set aside money I would normally use for other things, as well, so that I can get to the goal faster. And I’m also going to see if anyone wants to join me in this so that we can order together and thus order sooner. Then I’m planning on either giving the movies to various libraries in the area, or giving them to the small groups at my brother’s church for them to use for a movie night and then to donate. I’m praying about that part.
Come on — ideas! Share, share, share! Have some fun with this. We need to get this movie to more people — save more lives! We need to spread word about it to the people we know — a lot of people STILL haven’t heard about it or aren’t willing to watch it because of how they’ve heard about it so far.
May 16th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
I just watched this movie tonight. It was beautiful. It speaks to a person’s soul.
May 16th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
It’s an AWESOME movie and proves the power of independent filmmaking. The message it proclaims is so beautiful - life.
May 17th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
NICOLE: thank you so much you can really go far with that testimony you really helped me realize that im actually the problem and that if im going to want to get back in contact with God then i need to change the way im thinking. Im really sorry about your brother and friend and i hope that you can change them eventually like you changed me
THANK YOU well i got to go celebrate my brothers b-day
bye =) Skylar
May 20th, 2008 at 6:31 am
Skylar, will pray for you, and am so encourage by the work God is doing in you(as is evident by the fact that you are seeking to glorify God by turning from sins and your humility in asking for help.)
I recently went trough a very difficult time of witnessing to an unsaved man who was interested in me but not God. One thing my close friends had to remind me of again and again was that God is the one who saves people. Only God can change a heart or make it hear Him. I still struggle with guilt sometimes because I try to take responsibility for the fact that the guy wasn’t hearing the Gospel when I told him the truth again and again. I pray that God will reach him. But it isn’t my job to save him. That is Christ’s job.
My friend’s encouraged me to see that by taking the job myself I was not honoring Christ for the marvelous work that He has done for me and may choose to do for the guy. I’ve found that thinking this way about the situation is very humbling. It reminds me that I am serving a powerful, merciful God who chooses to save His enemies and change them so that they desire to serve Him and are enabled to serve Him.
While you seek the Lord in His Words I encourage you to pray that He would show you Himself. Don’t be discouraged or afraid. He loves humility. By seeking Him in the word you confess with your actions that He is the only true God and that you need Him more than anything else. Don’t be discouraged if you fail, for Christ did not fail and He has already given you eternal victory. He knows your weaknesses, but He chose to pour out compassion on you at the Cross.
I hope this encourages you.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUR BROTHER(hope you had a good time with him)
Grace
P.S.–Thanks Megan, I’ll get together with friends to see it. (or watch it when dad is at work)
Nicole–that is a really interesting idea. Certainly bears looking into, thanks.
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:43 pm
I can’t wait to watch this movie after reading the comments. My mom got it from Netflix, and I didn’t even know. That was after I had read your comments. I told her what you said about it, and she said that she thought the Rebelution was where she heard about it from. I don’t know, but it sounds really good. We’re probably going to watch it tomorrow.
May 24th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Mom just got Bella from NetFlix and I finally saw it! It was incredible. The message was so simple and beautiful and the emotional content was very high…my fourteen year old brother watched it even though he was scared it was going to be a chick-flick.
I saw Prince Caspian the night before and if it wasn’t for my deep-rooted love of Narnia, Bella would probably top it.
May 24th, 2008 at 11:33 am
I just watched Bella last night, and I’d say it was pretty good. Some of it was sort of hard to follow, if you know what I mean, since it flashs back and forth and into the future. It had a good message, though, and I think it was worth watching.
-Skylar and Kayla- The tanktop was low-cut in a couple scenes, but she didn’t really wear it the entire movie. I didn’t like that, since it was a Christian-made movie and didn’t send the correct message. It was worse in some scenes than others.
-Anyway, it was a good movie. I may watch it again sometime.
June 2nd, 2008 at 7:13 pm
oh wow! No fair you two got to spend the weekend with two of the greatest guys in the film industry (in my humble opinion.) being famous certainly has it’s benefits.
Ok, ok, just kidding. But I really am excited to see that the Rebelution is supporting this wonderful inspiring film!
And just a suggestion: You have a list of recommended books, how about a movie list? My family is always on the lookout for inspiring films, and I’d be curious to know which ones you would recommend.
In Christ,
~Joy
June 2nd, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Correction to above post: I meant to say, “one of the greatest guys…”.
June 4th, 2008 at 7:20 am
I saw Bella a few weeks ago, having borrowed it from a friend. I thought it was extremely touching, I cried more than once. It’s not a super “entertaining” movie, but very good none the less. Oh, and off topic and by the way, how does anyone feel about Prince Caspian? I love Narnia of course, but I liked the first Narnia movie more than this one. Reepicheep isn’t even squeaky! Being a mouse, I naturally imagined him with a squeaky sort of voice. =D
June 4th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Grace: I could start a Prince Caspian Discussion Google group.
Seriously though, I really liked it. Not as good as the first one (is there ever a second movie that is?) but still an awesome movie–as long as you’re not comparing every scene against the book. Oh, and I cried in “Bella” too.
Joy: I like your recommended films idea! Come on, Alex and Brett!
June 13th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Ahhh! still havent gotten a chance to see the movie yet
Oh and everyone tell your dads HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!