Assyrian Heritage Film dramatizes the Birth of the Assyrian Church of the East

Lorenzo Lamas, 1980s heartthrob and star of the hit series “The Renegade,” is set to portray the Apostle Thaddeus in an upcoming biblical epic.  The movie will be produced by Walker Cable Productions, and filmed near San Antonio, Texas.  The working title of the film is “The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus.”

 

Lamas said, “I have worked with Walker Cable Productions in several films on the course of the last several years and it is my understanding that they will be producing a film on the Apostle Thaddeus in the near future. Based on my former association with this company and the integrity of Sam Cable and Chuck Walker as friends and film makers, I have a strong interest in being involved in this project as an actor in the title role of Thaddeus. I find the script interesting and captivating and look forward to making this project a big success.   I am thrilled to be working on Thaddeus, the new WalkerCable production. These are terrific guys and a wonderful production company that I have had the pleasure of working with many, many times in the past. So, if you have the opportunity to invest in a WalkerCable production don’t hesitate. You will not regret it. So, I am excited about being a part of this Christian movie. I think it is an important time for our society to embrace the Christian faith. I am looking forward to it.”

 

Along with Lorenzo Lamas and Walker Cable Productions, the production crew will include three Assyrian Americans, and at least seven Assyrian Americans will be cast in major roles. This will enable these Assyrian Americans to learn about the art of film-making and perhaps launch their careers in either film production or acting.  Being people who’s heritage the film is depicting, they bring with them an additional layer of accuracy and authenticity. 

 

The Assyrians are currently facing terrible challenges and persecution.  They face the threat of genocide in their ancestral homeland by Islamic militants groups, perhaps the most recognizable being ISIS.  These terrorist groups are actively trying to destroy the ancient Christian community founded by Thaddeus and Thomas.

 

Stephen Missick, associate pastor of King of Saints Tabernacle in Cleveland, Texas, is writing and producing the biblical movie that will dramatize the story of one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ.   The script is derived from the Bible and other ancient sources, such as the writings of the Early Church Fathers.  The film is anticipated to be produced by WalkerCable, Productions of Conroe, Texas. WalkerCable plans to begin filming in early 2015. Existing movie sets at the Alamo Village in Brackettville, Texas, as well as other areas around San Antonio, will serve as Biblical Lands.

 

“From the very beginning of the film industry, movies dramatizing stories from the Bible have been made.  Many of these films are classics, such as Cecil B. DeMille’s  “The Ten Commandments” and Charlton Heston’s “Ben-Hur.” However, I want to do something totally different. I want to do something that audiences have never seen before” Missick said.  

 

In this movie, Pastor Missick will be telling the story of the Apostle Thaddeus. According to early Church Historians, Thaddeus evangelized and established Churches in what are today Iraq, Iran and southern Turkey.   The movie “The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus” is about the Apostle Thaddeus, known among Assyrian Christians as Mar Addai, and the founding of the Assyrian Church of the East. The movie will be based on ancient Assyrian Christian literature, namely “The Doctrine of Addai” and “The Acts of the Apostle Mari.” It is also based on other ancient sources, such as the writings of the early church historian Eusebius.

 

According to Pastor Missick, “The Acts of Thaddeus” tells the story of the origin of the Assyrian Church of the East and the Armenian Church.  Pastor Missick describes the story of Thaddeus as a very fascinating one: “According to Church historians, Thaddeus was the groom at the marriage of Cana in Galilee, where Jesus turned the water into wine.  There is also a connection between Thaddeus and the Shroud  of Turin.”

 

The Shroud of Turin is an Icon kept in Turin, Italy that is believed to be the burial shroud of Jesus, and it bears an impression of the body of a crucified man.  Many Shroud experts believe that the Shroud of Turin was known as originally known as the Image of Edessa, or the Mandylion.  It said to have been brought to the Syriac king Abgar as a gift by Thaddeus. Missick says, “Many of those who believe that the Shroud of Turin is authentic, also believe that there is a connection between the Shroud and the Apostle Thaddeus. The Shroud will be featured in the movie.”

 

Recent cinematic history has seen the resurgence of the Biblical Epic. “The Bible: TV Miniseries,” “The Son of God, “ as well as “Noah,” have been very successful.  In addition, faith-based films such as “God’s Not Dead” and “Heaven is for Real” have proven there is large an underserved market for films in the Biblical genre.  Soon, Biblical epics such as “Exodus: God’s and Kings” and “A.D.: After the Bible” will arrive on both the big and small screens to serve these markets.   This project is unique in that the story of Thaddeus and the founding of the Assyrian Church has never before been told in film.

If the current funding goals are attained, we intend to begin shooting around March 15-20, 2015.

 

For more information contact:

Stephen Andrew Missick, stephenamissick@hotmail.com,

Promo video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlFORNbUxOA

historical background

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTXIcoeoBr0

Chuck Walker discusses his vision for directing Thaddeus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht6cEDyWGMU

The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus location

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xmwW-_xYoo

The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus: Artwork for the Film

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEc_rC1GM7c

Costume Design for The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S7aBPaLn7k

Stephen and Mar Awa discuss the Thaddeus movie

Mar Awa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id3a1r9jer4

Stephen and Romena Jonas Interview about Movie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be1SbFbzCvw&feature=player_embedded

Stephen and Romena Jonas Skype Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-IywU6PZto

Stephen Missick and Romena Jonas Interview (1)

http://youtu.be/aMglKf9hC1I

Billy Haido Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohp7YiaEaoY