Through a documentary lens, this drama follows an underground boxing ring where participants fight a man who looks like Jesus Christ.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Heather Hillstrom

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I’ve suffered through what feels like a lot of tragedy and disappointment, and the basic idea of wrestling or fighting Jesus came out of a frustration with God. The idea crystallized into a story after my sister died of complications from cystic fibrosis, and the film felt like a way to channel my frustration, anger, and grief.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

This film presents a new idea about God: that He might help people who were grieving by allowing them to fight Him. This idea is presented in a way that’s accessible, then relatable, then moving, both through the documentary style of storytelling and great performances.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The film explores easily relatable themes of grief and guilt, as well as frustration and feeling powerless in the face of tragedy and hardship.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The script originally introduced the character of Rob, the challenger in the fight, before the fight scene itself, with his interview as one continuous scene. After the first edit was finished, I asked some trusted friends and colleagues for their feedback, and they almost unanimously said that while the scene was well acted, it felt a little slow. At that point I started re-editing Rob’s interview scene into the fight as multiple flashbacks.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive! One person said that halfway through watching it, she was prepared to hate it, because she’s a devout Christian, but the ending changed her mind and she loved the film’s message. Another approached me after a screening in tears, simply hugging me and saying, “Thank you.” Very recently, I received an email from a professor who saw the film a year ago and wants to share it with his students, saying, “I think about it on a regular basis. It was extremely well done and had an ending that stayed on my mind long afterward.”

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I think before finishing the film, I underestimated how many people have a close enough relationship with God that they would have difficulty understanding why someone might be so angry that they wanted to fight Him. (I’m relieved that the film’s ending has a message they can connect with!)

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I feel very passionately about this film, both that it’s well done and that its message can help people who see it, so even though I have additional goals for it, my greatest is for as many people to see it as possible.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Journalists: I think the best way to amplify its message is for it to be seen by as many people as possible.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I would like this film to make people think in a new way about God and different ways that someone can have a relationship with Him. I would also like for it to bring comfort to people who are grieving or angry after a loss by letting them know that there are others who feel as they do, so they don’t have to feel ashamed about it.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Would you have any angry words for God if you could meet him? If not, could you understand why someone might? Do you think God would allow people to fight Him if He thought it could help them? What do you think about that as a way for someone to deal with their anger or grief?

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Heather Hillstrom writes constantly, is in post-production on a web series pilot she directed, and is in the early stages of developing her first feature film, an action comedy.

Interview: October 2017

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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The King in the Ring

Through a documentary lens, this drama follows an underground boxing ring where participants fight a man who looks like Jesus Christ.

Length: 10 minutes 40 seconds

Director: Heather Hillstrom

Producer: Heather Hillstrom, Jonathan Graves

Writer: Heather Hillstrom

About the writer, director and producer:

Heather has directed commercials, corporate videos, nearly a dozen short films, two music videos, and an award-winning web series, and written film, television, and new media. Visit hungrypictures.com

Jonathan produces film and television, and has a background in story analysis and script supervision. On the festival circuit, his film One Day won a Grand Jury Prize. www.facebook.com/grinningfilms

Key cast: Jason Eftimoski, Ngozi Andrade Messam, Cyrille Autin

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): producers, film festival directors, journalists

Social media handles:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TKitRfilm

Twitter: @TKitRfilm

Instagram: @TKitRfilm

Other: www.thekinginthering.com

Funders: private, IndieGogo

Made in association with: Grinning Gravestone Entertainment

Where can I see it in the next month? Awareness Film Festival, Glendale International Film Festival