'Beyond the Mask' Breaks Christian Film Barriers

The highly anticipated movie "Beyond the Mask" is set in colonial times, but it offers a mixed bag of modern day stunts and explosions. 

Some are suggesting that the Christian movie is breaking barriers in the film industry by taking a movie about faith into the action and adventure arena.

Actor Andrew Cheney, who starred in the faith-based film "Seasons of Gray," plays the lead role of Will Reynolds, a former assassin hoping to overhaul his reputation.

CBN News talked with Cheney and other cast members about the film.

"You have a guy in search of himself, trying to right the wrongs of his past," Cheney said.

Actor Andrew Cheney talks to CBN News' Charlene Aaron about the movie "Beyond the Mask."

Actress Kara Killmer, of NBC's "Chicago Fire" plays Charlotte Holloway, the love interest of Reynolds.

"One of the things that I like about Charlotte is that even in this incredible action adventure film, even though she has this arc in the story of starting out as small town girl, very committed to her moral standing and her faith, she's consistent with her morality throughout the film," she said.

"She's held onto her core beliefs and I feel like that's something that doesn't get highlighted as much in sort of the new definition of femininity today," she told CBN News.

"To find someone like Charlotte is exactly what he needs," Cheney said of his character's relationship with Holloway. "She is the medicine that she needs to kind of point him toward the answer to this deeper question." 

Actor Alan Madlane talks to CBN News' Charlene Aaron about the movie "Beyond the Mask."

The film was produced and directed by cousins Chad and Aaron Burns of Burns Family Studios.

"Aaron and I really like action adventure movies and so we wanted to make a film, the kind of film that we like to watch. And so that's what we set out to do and 'Beyond the Mask' is an action adventure movie," Chad Burns said. "It has a lot of elements that are not typically in a Christian film."

Director Chad Burns talks to CBN News' Charlene Aaron about the movie "Beyond the Mask."

The former homeschoolers said they wanted to make a movie that showcases their love of U.S. history.

Historical depictions such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence and scenes with Benjamin Franklin and George Washington are included in the film.

Writer and producer Stephen Kendrick, of "Fireproof" and "Facing the Giants" fame, helped mentor the young filmmakers through the scriptwriting process. They now hope to inspire a new generation of moviegoers.

Stunt Coordinator Rich Shaw talks to CBN News' Charlene Aaron about the movie "Beyond the Mask."

"We want to reach young people because this is the theme that God has really taught us in our hearts, these themes of identity, these themes of justification, these themes of hope through relationship with him," Aaron Burns expalined.

"These are things God has been teaching us so we want to reach out to young people and tell a story that will capture their imaginations," he said.

Actor John Rhys-Davis, who is known for his roles in blockbusters like "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "Lord of the Rings," plays Charles Kemp of the British East India Trading Company.

Actor John Rhys-Davies talks to CBN News' Charlene Aaron about the movie "Beyond the Mask."

Rhys-Davies told CBN News he was drawn to the project because of the film's compelling script.

"It's a good action adventure and I like swash and buckle, loved the script," he said.

"I like working with young directors and young filmmakers, particularly outside the Hollywood systems because that's really where the interesting stories are and interesting stories are told," he said.

Adetokumboh M'Cormack (Ade McCormack), from the television series "Lost," plays another villain in the movie.

Actor Ade McCormack talks to CBN News' Charlene Aaron about the movie "Beyond the Mask."

"Playing evil surprisingly comes kind of easily for me," McCormack laughed. "I did a lot of research of the time period."

"There were no characters really just like my character at all," he continued. "In fact a lot of the things you see, especially black people in the 1700s, a lot of them are slaves."

"And so I was so excited when I read the script and I read this character who was so articulate, so evil, so strong that I said I've got to do this role and I've got to do it justice," he said.

In April, "Beyond the Mask" producers partnered with Gathr, an on-demand theatrical film distributor. The film opened at a record-setting 440-plus theaters nationwide, the most screens in the history of on-demand distribution.

That success paved the way for the film the be re-released June 5.

Actor Charlie Newhart talks to CBN News' Charlene Aaron about the movie "Beyond the Mask."

Yet, the movie's message about grace, redemption, and true freedom is what the filmmakers hope stand out above all.

"'Beyond the Mask' is a story about who we are," Chad Burns said. "It's a timeless question and yet it's a very timely issue to discuss especially because of the way our culture is saturated with this question of image."

"And by that I don't mean a picture, but I mean the image we're projecting to the world of who we are and we're tweaking and managing that on Facebook, Twitter, or these other places," he continued. "And what we want is we want to cut through some of that noise and say who are we behind the masks that we put forward."

Producer Aaron Burns talks to CBN News' Charlene Aaron about the movie "Beyond the Mask."

"The beautiful thing about the story is it just points to God's mercy that says it's not something you're doing," Cheney explained. "This isn't something you can accomplish on your own."

"Beyond the Mask" hits 100 select theaters across the country June 5.