BY JOHN-HENRY WESTEN, LifeSiteNews.com
In an interview with the German Catholic news agency Kath.net this week, actress Rachel Hendrix, who stars in the box office hit ‘October Baby’ said, “Every human life is created in the Divine image, it is unique and we should fight for it.”
Despite the sensitive subject matter of the film, which touches on abortion with a pro-life message of ‘Every Life is Beautiful,’ the film has startled critics with strong box office showings.
Even in its second week the film posted a strong showing, claiming the No. 2 spot for films in fewer than 500 theaters and the No. 7 spot in per-screen average for the top 20 films, despite only showing in 387 theaters.
This weekend it is set to open in an additional 200 theatres across the U.S.
The film’s impact on audiences has been impressive.
“People don’t leave the theater arguing their views on abortion,” said Andy Erwin, who along with his brother, Jon, directed the film. “But, it does open conversations that are spilling into the lobbies and parking lots of theaters, and we’re hearing that those conversations are meaningful to people.”
In a previous interview with Digital Hippos, Hendrix said: “From those I’ve spoken with, this film is moving people on a profound level. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, and I think hearing these stories and knowing I was a part of touching people’s lives is so deeply humbling and beautiful. It’s the best part of it all.”
Starring John Schneider (Smallville, Dukes of Hazzard), Jasmine Guy (A Different World), and newcomers Hendrix and Jason Burkey, October Baby tells the story of 19-year-old Hannah, who discovers she’s adopted and the survivor of an attempted abortion. With friends from college, she hits the road to find answers and locate her birth mother. Ultimately, she finds the power of forgiveness.
In support of its life-affirming theme, October Baby producers assigned 10 percent of the film’s profits to the Every Life Is Beautiful Fund. The money will be distributed to organizations helping women face crisis pregnancies, to life-affirming adoption agencies and agencies caring for orphans.
