Christian filmmaker Fred Keel set out to make a movie intended not specifically for an evangelical Christian audience. In his new film, Streets of Harvest, two Dallas detectives find themselves in a battle with a ruthless drug kingpin while investigating a double homicide at a nightclub.
While this might not sound like the stuff Christian blockbusters are made of, Keel had a clear goal in mind.
“I attempted to make a film that I knew could present the Gospel clearly to Christians and Non-Christians. But, also making sure to have an appeal to those who would never normally step foot in a church, or read the Word of God because I thought if I could accomplish this and still maintain it as a Christian Film, I could reach a much wider audience that doesn’t know Christ and wouldn’t give a Christian film the time of day,” said Keel.
As a first-time filmmaker, Keel faced an uphill battle.
“As soon as I jumped in with both feet writing and directing the film, it became a huge
challenge for me. Even though I had been on many sets in which I could see what was going on behind the camera, I had no idea what I was in for trying to deal with lighting, my script supervisor and the actors. It was challenging and rewarding at the same time,” said Keel.
Keel, an actor, did not intend to pursue directing, but he believes that God was encouraging him to do so. “I don’t know what it was but I just felt like God was trying to let me know that there is an idea for this story, and it just had to come out.”
In 2011, Keel embarked on a career in computer animation and graphic design, but those pursuits didn’t work out, but a turn to acting proved to be the beginning of his filmmaking interest. “It was one of those things I jumped into. God blessed me to be in some TV shows and get plugged in and network with filmmakers in the Dallas area.”
A major hurdle Keel overcame was financing his movie which he shot for 15 days over six months . He intended to raise all of the money through a crowdfunding campaign, but fell short, so he financed the bulk of the film himself. He reduced cost by using local talent and being cost conscious about his shooting locations.
Keel is writing the screenplay for his next film and coming up with ideas for a Streets of Harvest sequel. He encourages other first time directors to “don’t give up on yourself. There will come a time when things seem very dark and you say ‘how am I going to get his film off the ground.’ Put your faith in Christ, and He will provide. He will make a way for it to happen,” said Keel.
Regional Premiere - Streets of Harvest , Sunday, October 11, 2015 @4:30 pm, The Ramada Plaza, Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark, New Jersey.
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