The widely anticipated documentary based on the Christian worship band Hillsong United is expected to hit theaters this September. “Hillsong — Let Hope Rise” follows the journey of the band that began in 1998 within the Australia-based Hillsong Church.
The movie is directed by Michael John Warren, a non-Christian who says he applauds what the band is trying to do.
Warren said in a statement on the film’s website, “Their mission — without exaggeration — is to make music to save souls. They are trying to get people to discover Jesus. That's probably the most righteous reason to make music. Whether you're religious or not, it's hard to look at that and not feel good about it."
He continued, "I'm not a religious person, but I learned things from working with and becoming friends with the members of Hillsong United. They are lovely people. They are sincerely giving. They are sincerely supportive. I don't believe the same things they believe, but I'm learning from them and I'm taking lessons from them, and I believe I've become a better person having spent a year studying them."
The Christian Post reports ““Hillsong — Let Hope Rise” was previously in the works with Warner Bros., but the studio pulled the documentary from production in January. Relativity Studios then took on the project; the film will be released on September 30.
Publication date: July 21, 2015
