SYNOPSIS
Sparks fly between a famous model and a farmer with a young daughter when she visits her childhood home. The town is in danger of losing their beloved Santaland festival, but miracles can happen with a little love, family and faith.
Distributed by Vision Films, Inc., Mill Creek Entertainment and produced by Idealist-Gotzon Films in association with 2 Actors Productions, THE FARMER AND THE BELLE: SAVING SANTALAND features Jenn Gotzon (MY DADDY IS IN HEAVEN), Jim E. Chandler (AMC’S Lodge 49, Stranger Things), Corbin Bernsen (Major League), John Schneider (Dukes of Hazzard), Natasha Bure (Home Sweet Home, Fuller House, The Voice), Delilah (nationally-syndicated radio host), Robert Amaya (COURAGEOUS, OCTOBER BABY) and introduces Adele Chandler.
“THE FARMER AND THE BELLE is a delightful holiday film that is perfect for these times,” says Lise Romanoff, CEO and Managing Director of Vision Films. “The empowering message for girls and women that beauty radiates from inside is a message we never tire of enforcing. And there is no better time for this hopeful, entertaining film with this message. We are confident it will join the ranks of annual holiday favorites!”
“With so much content in the marketplace sending the wrong message to young girls, we wanted to offer a different perspective,” said Jenn Gotzon, who stars in and produces the film. “There’s a lie written inside a woman’s heart when she is just a little girl, and that lie is, ‘If you are beautiful, then you are worthy of love.’ What people will learn – women and men – in THE FARMER AND THE BELLE: SAVING SANTALAND is God’s view on beauty clearly seen in the Bible – we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are a treasured inheritance. It puts the focus of beauty on the heart and how we serve and love others.”
The film also takes its important message beyond the screen with three products that support the truth of beauty founded in relationship to God, which will also be available on QVC on November 17:
■ A #Beauty Bracelet features five charms, each with two encouraging statements about the true nature of beauty. A significant portion of the proceeds will be donated to Point Hope, a non-profit organization, founded by national radio personality Delilah that puts focus on the children within the U.S. foster care system and in providing water in Ghana.
■ A 30-day devotional and study Divine Beauty: Becoming Beautiful Based on God’s Truth by Michelle Cox (Hallmark’s devotional co-author, When God Calls the Heart) and Jenn Gotzon with online video Bible studies available, one for women, one for teens.
■ And a children’s book that reinforces the film’s message – Beautiful Mable – by Mike Nawrocki, a co-creator of VeggieTales – and illustrated by Sara Jo Floyd.
Producers and creators of THE FARMER AND THE BELLE: SAVING SANTALAND include Casting Directors Stephen DeAngelis and Mark Fincannon, music by James Covell, Costume Designer Cindy Montgomery, edited by Bill Ebel, Production Designer Starla Christian and Director of Photography Kacper Skowron. Executive produced by Daniel and Melissa Brunner, Yan Wen Chen, Raymond Chen, Isaac Hernandez, Terry Chase Chenowith, John Schneider, Alicia Allain and Joe Battaglia, and co-produced by Starla Christian. Associate producers are Reuben Evans, Chip Lane and Laura Mae. Produced by Jenn Gotzon, Jim E. Chandler, Joel Bunkowske and George Escobar. Written by James M. De Vince, Reuben Evans, Betty Sullivan, Billy Falcon and Bob Saenz, and directed by Wes Llewellyn.
Here what others are saying:
- “The heartwarming story told in THE FARMER AND THE BELLE: Saving Santaland clearly illustrates the beauty of embracing one’s identity in God and how that leads to the true pathway to love.” -Jeanie Ortega, The Christian Post
- “I love this movie! And if you have any heart at all, you are going to love it too.” -Dick Rolfe, Founder, The Dove Foundation
- “Very strong Christian, biblical worldview with an emphasis on finding one’s worth from the truth of God rather than the world’s low standards.” – Movieguide®
- “One of the sweetest Christmas movies I’ve seen. The cast is perfect, the acting superb and the focus on not only God but the true meaning of beauty warms the soul.” -Courtenay Hall, former editor of BELLA Magazine
“We are thrilled to release this heartfelt family film on DVD,” said Barrett Evans, VP of Marketing for Mill Creek Entertainment. “THE FARMER AND THE BELLE: SAVING SANTALAND really stands out among the standard seasonal fare on TV and retail shelves. The underlying message of faith and family really hones in on the deeper meaning the holidays represent.”
The DVD release is loaded with bonus features including deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes featurettes, audio commentary and also includes digital redemption on the movieSPREE streaming platform.
For interviews, contact: Michael Conrad, Michael@130a.com 214-616-0320
For press material, visit www.130a.com
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About Vision Films
Vision Films is a leading independent sales and VOD aggregator specializing in the licensing, marketing, and distribution of over 800 feature films, documentaries, and series from some of the most prolific independent film producers in the world. Led by Lise Romanoff, Managing Director/CEO Worldwide Distribution, Vision Films releases 2-4 films a month across Theatrical, VOD, DVD, and television platforms. visionfilms.net
About Idealist-Gotzon Films
Idealist-Gotzon Films is an independent film company creating wholesome content with biblical values for the entire family to enjoy owned by Joel Bunkowske and Jenn Gotzon. Other products under THE FARMER AND THE BELLE franchise include books, jewelry and music.
About 2 Actors Productions
2 Actors is crafted with artistic excellence in storytelling for all audiences in film production and acting by husband-wife, actor duo Jim E. Chandler and Jenn Gotzon. Their flagship film is THE FARMER AND THE BELLE: SAVING SANTALAND.
About Mill Creek Entertainment
Mill Creek Entertainment is the home entertainment industry’s leading independent studio for Blu-ray, DVD, and digital distribution. With direct sales pipelines to all primary retail and online partners, Mill Creek Entertainment licenses, produces, markets and distributes a dynamic array of film and television content to over 30,000 retail stores and thousands of websites reaching millions of customers across North America. Mill Creek Entertainment’s expansive library includes Oscar®-winning theatrical feature films, Emmy®-winning classic and current TV series, original documentary productions and pop-culture favorites that enlighten, educate and entertain. Mill Creek Entertainment also owns and operates movieSPREE, an on-demand transactional streaming service offering movie bundles, complete TV series and premium entertainment options with apps available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon Fire TV, Android and iOS. Mill Creek Entertainment is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For more information, please visit
www.millcreekent.com or
www.movieSPREE.com
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