If you’re in the mood for a faith-promoting movie, based on dramatic historical events, give Freetown a try. Freetown is a stirring true story of six LDS missionaries, who had to escape their homeland to preserve their lives and continue their service. Director Garrett Batty (The Saratov Approach) offers an authentic portrayal of the strife, challenges, and triumphs of these missionaries and their leader through numerous physical, psychological, and spiritual obstacles. The result is an inspirational story from which we can draw strength as we face our own life challenges.
In 1989, Liberia was in a state of brutal civil war–a conflict that would eventually claim the lives of over 260,000 Liberians. Even today, the country is rife with evidence of the war and the effect it had on the people. Tanner, recently returned LDS missionary, describes bullet holes and shell casings in the buildings where he labored. The violence started when rebel factions took up arms against the local tribes, particularly the ruling Krahn tribe. When the conflict elevated to threaten the lives of all who stood in the way of fighting, many sought to escape the war torn region. It is in this setting that Freetown takes place.
Freetown follows the stories of six native missionaries serving in Monrovia when the Liberian civil war breaks out. Their mission president is evacuated and advises them to do whatever they can do to stay safe, even if it means casting off their missionary role to blend in with their people. To Marcus Menti, one of the elders involved in the crisis, this was unacceptable. In an interview with the Deseret News, he said this of their plight: “We couldn’t teach, and the big, blaring option before us was to take off our attire, not be missionaries, not teach. I thought, ‘This can’t be the end. This can’t be the picture.” The other option was to escape, so with the help of his local mission leader, Brother Abubakar, and five other missionaries, he makes his way to Freetown, Sierra Leone. Along the way, the group faces life-threatening dangers, most significantly from a rebel leader who pursues them with homicidal intent. Central to the movie’s storyline is the mission leader’s own test of faith amidst these life-threatening trials. What he finds is a God of miracles.
Director Garrett Batty felt inspired by the story of Freetown and found a parallel between the experiences of these missionaries and the missionaries portrayed in The Saratov Approach, which he also directed. When he read the script for Freetown he felt “a really potent, tangible-feeling emotion”. He knew there was something special. As in The Saratov Approach, the missionaries meet their challenges with faith. And when faced with violence they counter with non-violence. They share a message of peace and redemption to those who would inflict harm. The parallels are particularly significant because both stories are true. They invite the viewers to examine parallels in their own lives, where faith overcomes obstacles.
Freetown was well received by critics and audiences. Josh Terry of the Deseret News gave it 3 ½ stars, calling it a great success for Director Batty and a powerful film well-produced with limited means. Menti also praised the film for being a true portrayal of what he and his companions faced. He said, “I have been to three screenings, and the third time was the first time I was able to make it through the whole movie without breaking down. Maybe this is my own therapeutic journey.”
Freetown movie is now available on DVD.
References
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IChyRJ07dr0
Gambles, Sarah. “’Freetown’ is an inspirational movie of faith-filled missionaries fleeing for their lives” Deseret News, 7 April, 2015. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865625890/Freetown-is-an-inspirational-movie-of-faith-filled-missionaries-fleeing-for-their-lives.html?pg=all
Terry, Josh. “Movie review: Liberian missionaries make a journey of faith in ‘Freetown’. Deseret News, 8 April 2015. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865625952/Movie-review-Liberian-missionaries-make-a-journey-of-faith-in-Freetown.html
Terry, Josh. “Movie review: Liberian missionaries make a journey of faith in ‘Freetown’. Deseret News, 8 April 2015. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865625952/Movie-review-Liberian-missionaries-make-a-journey-of-faith-in-Freetown.html
Gambles, Sarah. “’Freetown’ is an inspirational movie of faith-filled missionaries fleeing for their lives” Deseret News, 7 April, 2015. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865625890/Freetown-is-an-inspirational-movie-of-faith-filled-missionaries-fleeing-for-their-lives.html?pg=all
