Press
Release Summary: Messenger Films is proud to announce it will
begin principal photography of the motion picture, The Bill Collector,
in Norfolk, Virginia on October 6, 2008. Messenger Films is a
registered 501c3 corporation and has been dedicated to making
Christian films around the world for twenty years. All financial
or monetary gifts are to the ministry are tax-deductible.
Press
Release Body: Norfolk, Virginia -- October 3, 2008 -- The film,
Bill Collector, is modeled after the film production
Facing the Giants. Prayer, faith, hard work and
lots of volunteer efforts have made both Facing the Giants
and The Bill Collector possible. For the time, talent and treasure
offered by our volunteers, we give thanks to God.
In
the spirit of generosity and blessing which we are already experiencing,
we encourage you to make a donation toward the production of The
Bill Collector. We are still in need of financial support
and any size donation is appreciated and valued. While today’s
financial news may be a reminder of the transitory nature of money
and possessions, we know our investments in God’s kingdom
are safe and guaranteed to bring eternal rewards. We encourage
you to make your tax-deductible gift to Messenger Films
today.
The
Bill Collector has a large cast of over 35 speaking roles
and 12 locations. We are only able to achieve this undertaking
through generous donations of goods, services and finances. For
example:
1)
A Christian ministry has donated multiple items such as a grip
truck filled with lighting and camera supplies, a large generator
able to power our remote locations and editing facilities for
our post-production.
2)
A local catering company has reduced its rates by 50% to feed
our cast and crew for the entire shoot; plus, a local church is
picking up the tab for the remainder of the food costs. There
is such a thing as a free lunch!
3)
A choir robe manufacturer has donated 25 new beautiful choir robes
for us to use for the production.
4)
A local casting agency has agreed to find and cast our extras
at no cost. These extras will also appear as background actors,
absolutely free!
5)
Finally, over 150 volunteers are stepping forward to house, drive
or otherwise help in various capacities on the production.
The Bill Collector is written, directed and executive
produced by veteran filmmaker Cristóbal Krusen,
who is also president and founder of Messenger Films.
Cristóbal is the writer and director of Final Solution,
a true tale of racial and spiritual reconciliation in Christ set
in apartheid-era South Africa. He is also the co-writer and director
of First Landing, the true tale of Reverend
Robert Hunt and the founding of Jamestown, Virginia.
Thank
you in advance for your support and generosity for this new film.
Please make tax deductible donations here:
Checks and money orders can be sent to:
Messenger
Films
P.O. Box 15008
Chesapeake, VA 23328-5008
About
The Cast And A Synopsis Of The Film, The Bill Collector:
In
The Bill Collector, Lorenzo Adams (Gary Moore) works as a manipulative,
overbearing bill collector in Norfolk, Virginia. His checkered
past, however, comes back to haunt him when Frankie Gutiérrez
(played by Danny Trejo), a loan shark and small-time hoodlum,
shows up demanding payment in full on an old debt. Desperate for
answers, Lorenzo comes up with the cockamamie scheme of firing
the regular staff and bringing in residents of an inner city mission
to raise the needed money fast. In spite of Lorenzo’s less
than honorable intentions, good things eventually come to all
involved, as people who never had much of a chance in life (as
well as those who have “blown” their chances) find
spiritual transformation and meaning in their new work.
The
Bill Collector features renowned Christian worship leader, Dr.
Ron Kenoly, as “Pastor Kevin”, bringing a warm, genuine
presence to the comedic, sometimes gritty crime story. Kenoly’s
emphasis on jubilant praise and musical excellence has endeared
him to congregations all over the world. His first critical success
came in 1992 with the worship album Lift Him Up. He received the
Gospel Music Association’s Dove Award for best "Praise
and Worship Album" in 1997.
Elisabeth
Omilami brings a loving, welcoming force as Wanda, Pastor Kevin’s
wife. Elisabeth has appeared in Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius
(starring Jim Caveziel), Madea’s Family Reunion (from creator
Tyler Perry) and the new Christian classic The List (starring
Malcolm McDowell and Will Patton). She is the daughter of noted
civil rights leader Hosea Williams.
Tom
Ohmer stars as Lorenzo’s boss, Stan Davenport. Tom appears
in Charlie Wilson’s War (with Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts)
and TV’s The Unit, Crossing Jordan, and The O.C.
Veteran
character actor Danny Trejo brings an aura of criminal muscle
as Frankie Gutiérrez. Danny appears in all three Spy Kids
movies (from director Robert Rodriguez starring Antonio Banderas
and Carla Gugino). Danny Trejo has also appeared on TV programs
Stargate: Atlantis, The X Files, Baywatch, and Walker, Texas Ranger.
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