UNSUNG HERO Reveals Why ‘We Should Pray for Massive Dreams’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Joel and Luke Smallbone sat down with Annie F. Downs to discuss UNSUNG HERO, the power of prayer and the real-life events that inspired their movie.
In one scene, to highlight the family’s limited resources, Helen, the Smallbones’ mom, shows her family a jar with a little change in it, saying, “This is all we have.” She then invites her family to pray.
“Whether or not that jar was a legit jar, or it’s just, you know, the bank account, that is just, you know, showing what we have,” Luke explained. “We all knew that we were very, very poor, right, and we knew that we had to pray for food.”
“We were praying for mom to have, you know, our little sister in a hospital,” he continued. “We were praying for a car, we were praying for work, that was one thing. I vividly remember sitting in a circle and actually holding hands and doing all of that, and I think if you want to teach your kids to pray, then you need to give them a reason to pray.”
UNSUNG HERO hits theaters on April 26. The movie follows the Smallbone family as they leave Australia to rebuild their lives in the United States.
“With nothing more than their six children, their suitcases, and their love of music, David (for KING + COUNTRY’s Joel Smallbone) and his pregnant wife Helen (Daisy Betts) set out to rebuild their lives from the ground up. Based on a remarkable true story, a mum’s faith stands against all odds; and inspires her husband and children to hold onto theirs,” a synopsis reads.
Through their experiences growing up, Luke believes people shouldn’t be afraid to pray big prayers because God’s power is limitless.
“There needs to be evidence of the outcome of prayer in your household. Meaning if you want a miracle, you actually have to need a miracle to see one, and I think a lot of times people are trying to teach their kids to pray, and you’re praying for very frivolous things,” Luke said. “Like in some cases, we should pray for massive dreams. We should pray and ask God to do massive things in our life, whether or not that actually takes place or not, and it might not. That’s only part of the equation, but having faith to pray those things is the first step.”
UNSUNG HERO’s focus is family, and co-director Richard L. Ramsey calls it a “love letter to motherhood and mothers.”
“I really love the way the film explores that different people in your lives saw needs and acted, and that’s a miracle in its own way,” he added.
Movieguide® recently reported on the movie:
“The heartbeat behind the movie is this: I believe in the power of family. I think family is more important today than it ever has been in the history of the world,” Luke went on to say.
While each of the seven Smallbone children appears in the movie, Joel made his directorial and screenwriting debut with UNSUNG HERO and played his father, David, in the movie.
“I’ve dubbed it a very expensive therapy session,” Joel said. “It was interesting. We’ve been doing a lot of reflection lately just because we’re right on the precipice of it being released into theaters, and I did not anticipate writing or even co-directing.”
“I just sort of stepped into these roles incidentally. But from the beginning, I had always felt inclined to play Dad,” Joel went on to say.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
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Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
