Two of the top female names in faith-based entertainment have teamed up on a new movie that puts a biblical spin on the term "influencer."
Lara Silva, best known for her role in The Chosen, portrays an entitled social media star named Olivia in the new faith-based film Divine Influencer, which launched on Pure Flix this month and follows Olivia as she loses everything but then discovers her true purpose while serving at a homeless shelter.
Shari Rigby, known for her roles in front of the camera in Overcomer and October Baby, directed it. The film also stars Jason Burkey (Sun Moon) and Jesse Metcalfe (Chesapeake Shores, On a Wing and a Prayer).
Divine Influencer, Rigby said, has a unique message for modern audiences.
"How can we use social media to do things better? How can we actually show the fruits of the Spirit through social media? First, by loving God. Second, by loving others," Rigby told Christian Headlines."
Believers can shine Christ's light amidst the dark corners of social media, Rigby said.
"It's not that [Olivia] loses her influence. It's not that she puts it all away. She actually realizes after being influenced by others that she can do it better. And that's what we hope people walk away and take from. This movie is for everyone. So, everyone that watches this movie: Influence better, do it in your community and love others, like you want to be loved and treated. That's the overall message."
The movie's plot was inspired by events at the Dream Center in Los Angeles, a ministry for those affected by homelessness, hunger and the lack of education. Rigby served in the Dream Center when she lived in Los Angeles and says she learned "how important it was for people to understand redemption and restoration."
Co-writers Claire Yorita Lee and Susannah Eldridge pitched Rigby on the idea of a movie based on the Dream Center.
"The movie is inspired by true events that happened there within the Dream Center," Rigby said.
Photo courtesy: ©Pure Flix, used with permission.
Video courtesy: ©Pure Flix YouTube Channel
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
