The producer/director of the motion picture, “Last Ounce of Courage,” which opens nationwide Sept. 14, has a South Carolina Baptist connection.
Kevin McAfee formerly served as minister of media at First Baptist Church, Columbia. He went on to found Veritas Entertainment, where he and his business partner, Steve Griffin, produce films that promote family, faith and freedom.
“Last Ounce of Courage,” according to a press release from McAfee’s production company, is an intergenerational story of a grieving father inspired by his grandson to “take a stand for faith and freedom against a tide of apathy and vanishing liberty.”
The movie stars Marshall Teague as small-town mayor Bob Revere, Jennifer O’Neill as his wife, and Hunter Gomez as his grandson.
Clemson-area writer and speaker Ginny Dent Brant recently interviewed McAfee. Following are excerpts:
Brant: What inspired the making of this film?
McAfee: The movie began with missionaries Richard and Gina Headricks in Laurel, Miss., who had a dream to put Christ back in Christmas. These bikers were visionary people who connected with Darrel Campbell and wrote a screenplay that touches the heart of America.
Brant: What are you hoping viewers will take away?
McAfee: That one voice, and taking a stand, can make a difference. Hopefully, this movie will inspire people of all ages to stand for freedom and for God and country.
Brant: Considering all that’s going on in America right now and the upcoming presidential election, is this movie calling people to political action?
McAfee: Absolutely. It’s calling them to go to standusa.com and get involved. It’s calling them to believe in what our nation was founded upon. Freedom [of] religion that allows all faiths to worship – or even the right not to worship – is germane to the dreams of our founding fathers and our Christian heritage.
Brant: You’ve got some award-winning actors in this film. Are most of them Christians, freedom fighters, or both?
McAfee: A combination of all. Marshall Teague, a Navy hero and patriot, was a police officer when he took acting in order to catch the bad guys. Jennifer O’Neill believes in the message of this movie and wants to promote it. Hunter Gomez and Jenna Boyd are strong people of faith.
Brant: I sense your passion for this film and your calling in making films.
McAfee: If this was the last movie I ever had the opportunity to direct and produce, I believe God would have granted me a great gift. For years, I’ve been a Christian filmmaker. Now, I’m changing to being a patriot who believes in God and country and, because of my faith, I am choosing to make films that lift up the name of Jesus and stand for truth.
For more information, visit LastOunceTheMovie.com.
– Brant, a writer and speaker who grew up in Washington, D.C., is the author of “Finding True Freedom: From the White House to the World.” Her website is www.ginnybrant.com.