Watch Breaking Good: A Journey to Making Better Christian Films

Breaking Good: A Journey to Making Better Christian Films is a 2018 documentary featuring filmmaker Dallas Jenkins, actress and producer Irene Santiago, and producer Tim Kaiser. The trio embarks on a journey to explore the challenges and opportunities of creating Christian movies that not only entertain but also inspire and resonate with audiences.

The documentary opens with Jenkins, best known for directing The Resurrection of Gavin Stone and producing The Chosen, sharing his personal story and struggles as a Christian filmmaker. He talks about the limitations he faced in the past, such as a lack of funds and the pressure to make films that solely focus on preaching and evangelizing, rather than telling engaging and meaningful stories.

As the group travels across the United States and visits various film festivals, conferences, and production companies, they meet with fellow Christian filmmakers and industry experts to learn from their experiences and perspectives. The documentary features interviews with acclaimed directors, writers, and producers such as Alex Kendrick (War Room), Stephen Kendrick (Courageous), Randall Wallace (Braveheart), and DeVon Franklin (Miracles from Heaven), who share their insights on the dos and don'ts of making faith-based movies.

Throughout the film, Jenkins, Santiago, and Kaiser engage in candid discussions and debates about the challenges of making Christian movies that are both artistically successful and spiritually relevant. They discuss the importance of crafting well-rounded characters, developing compelling plots, and creating authentic and relatable portrayals of faith, doubt, and redemption. They also confront the prejudices and clichés that have plagued many Christian films in the past, such as simplistic morality tales, shallow characterization, and heavy-handed preaching.

The documentary also includes behind-the-scenes glimpses of Jenkins' own creative process as he works on his latest project, The Chosen, a TV series that dramatizes the life of Jesus and his disciples. Jenkins shares his strategies for adapting biblical stories and characters to the screen, such as using a diverse cast and modern dialogue to make the stories more accessible and relevant to contemporary audiences. The film also showcases some key scenes from The Chosen, which has garnered critical acclaim and a devoted following since its release.

Breaking Good: A Journey to Making Better Christian Films is a thought-provoking and inspiring exploration of the challenges and opportunities of making faith-based movies in today's film industry. It offers valuable insights and practical advice for aspiring Christian filmmakers who seek to create movies that not only entertain but also engage and inspire audiences of all beliefs and backgrounds. The documentary also serves as a testimony to the power of storytelling as a means to convey timeless truths and messages of hope and redemption to audiences around the world.