New Film Voiceless Tackles Issue of Abortion and the Christian Response
Filmmakers wanted to glorify God through an artistic and gritty film about a tough topic.
A new faith-based movie, Voiceless, was released Friday, October 7. Voiceless deals with the controversial topic of abortion and the appropriate Christian response, not only to the issue, but tackling the question of how Christians walk alongside those who are hurting, either planning an abortion or suffering from the after-affects of one.
Necerato, a street preacher, has previously worked on two documentaries — Street Preacher: A Day in the Life (2011) and Go Stand Speak: The Forgotten Power of the Public Proclamation of the Gospel (2010). Necerato believes that it is imperative to confront evil, especially the public proclamation of evil, but that it’s equally important to share the message that the gospel redeems and restores.
“Voiceless is about one person taking a stand, putting a stake in the ground, risking it all to do something that is pleasing to God,” said Stuart Migdon, Executive Producer, “and it shows what can happen when one person does that.”
Taking a Stand
“Voiceless is a film that has been made with so much prayer,” said Migdon. “We said that we wanted to make a movie that could impact the culture. We kept coming back to what we believe is the most egregious sin of our day — and that’s the sin of abortion. And we couldn’t get away from that. And we knew that the church had to take more responsibility in that regard.”
The idea behind Voiceless wasn’t simply a need for a soapbox from which to complain about the singular issue of abortion. Necerato wanted to create a narrative putting the church in a situation where it has to take a stand. “It’s not just abortion that needs to be confronted,” he said. “It could really be any social issue.” The issue of abortion, however, is “one of the most egregious situations of our nation,” Necerato said. He wanted to make a film that would address the issue without creating a “heavy, depressing treatise on abortion,” make it entertaining, but at the same time not compromise the message.
The Message
That message is to take a stand for what you know is right, said Necerato. “The core message is God saved us for the world, not from the world,” he said. Yes, we are atoned for through Christ’s work on the cross, but now we have a vocation — a job to do. The purpose of salvation is “not just to get to heaven,” Necerato explained. “We’re to be the light of the world. [It wasn’t] just to keep us from hell.” God has a wonderful world for our life, Necerato elaborated.
“You know, Voiceless is a movie that really is about inspiring Christians to stand up and engage the culture against sin,” said Migdon, adding that the movie effectively tells Christians “you can make a difference,” and encourages them to act.
The Art of Filmmaking
Necerato approached his new filmmaking experience as an artist, becoming an avid student, reading over 150 books and watching a movie — sound off — every night for three years. He studied every aspect of film, and when he was ready, he began creating a lengthy and detailed storyboard for Voiceless before a single frame was shot. In all, there were 1,200 frames in the storyboard, each one sketched by Necerato.
The entire movie was shot with a hand-held camera and designed to look very dark. No bright colors were allowed in the wardrobe or scenes. “Because of the topic I wanted to make the movie as raw and gritty as possible,” Necerato explained. “I told all of my creative people, ‘I want you to imagine we’re shooting this inside of a dirty garbage can.’ He wanted it black and white, but his team talked him out of it. “But I did make it very dark — all to the vision of the movie. It is a dark topic shot at one of the worst areas of Philadelphia,” so a colorful palate would not work.
Cast
Necerato attracted an experienced cast, for the most part, who will be recognized for their roles in well-known movies and television shows. James Russo, known for his role in Donnie Brasco (1997) among others, typically plays the tough guy. He’s tough in Voiceless too — a rough and tough pastor “who will stop at nothing to protect the reputation and future of his church.” The main character is played by Rusty Joiner, known for his roles in television shows such as The Closer, Bones and ER, as well as his movie role in Dodgeball.
Push back
Not everyone wanted to be a part of a movie that covered such a controversial topic. Necerato got as much push back from Christian filmmakers as non-Christians. “We would find well-known people who would say, ‘No, I’m not doing this, it’s too controversial,’” he said. “There were 20 different crew members who said ‘My conscience will not allow me to do this.’” It got to the point where Necerato would lay it all out for crew members before they were hired. “We said, ‘If you can read this movie and you can do this film and you can do this in a good conscience we want you,” he said.
Making Art
What he really wants people to know is that he values the artistic aspect of filmmaking. Although he also values the theology behind the message, “It’s not about hammering people over the head with a message.”
Although Necerato recognizes the primary audience will be the Church, he insists Voiceless isn’t just a “Christian” film. It should speak to everyone.
“We tried to glorify God in the acting, cinematography, color and use every aspect of filmmaking to communicate this message,” Necerato said. “Really, we’re filmmakers first. We happen to be Christians who make films.”
“When people see this film, I pray that they act — that they take action the way that the Bible specifically tells them to.”
Voiceless is now playing nationwide. For more information, please visit: voicelessthemovie.com
Also, please join The Stream beginning 8 a.m. Wednesday CT for #100forLife, 100 hours of programming and prayer commemorating the 100th anniversary of Planned Parenthood and mourning the millions of voiceless children killed at their hands.