98-year-old Gainesville producer has faith in his miraculous first film
“The Girl Who Believes in Miracles,” an inspiring film about how young Sara Hopkins’ faith leads to medical miracles, debuts April 2 in theaters. Gainesville resident Laurence Jaffe believed so much in the film’s story that he became a first-time producer at age 98.
“The title is ‘The Girl Who Believes in Miracles,’ and that really sums the movie up,” the World War II veteran said during a Zoom call. “It’s about an 11-year-old girl who has so much faith in Jesus that she attracts Jesus, who comes down to earth after she prays for eight hours after finding a dead bird. And her prayers are answered when Jesus brings life back to that bird.”
As word spreads about Sara’s gift, parents with sick children flock to her home, hoping for a miracle of their own.
“I want movie-goers who see our movie to come away with the idea that engaging in empathy is so important to have their lives be meaningful,” he said. “A meaningful life can be joyful because givers can get as much joy out of giving as the joy receivers get out of receiving.”
The project was filmed in about a month in Oklahoma, where Jaffe said a generous rebate program and experienced director Richard Correll helped the movie complete on time and under budget.
As president of Trailmaker Productions, which helped produce the film, Jaffe oversaw many facets of the process, including casting.
“We have a remarkable cast, and that’s very unusual for faith-based movies, which sometimes are even acted by amateurs,” said Jaffe, noting they hired Oscar-winner Mira Sorvino, Emmy-winner Peter Coyote and Kevin Sorbo, the star of the hit 1990s TV series “Hercules.” “We have a wonderful, wonderful young lady, Austyn Johnson [Sara], who we feel will be discovered as a result of this movie.”
After a “terrible” 2020, Jaffe feels “The Girl Who Believes in Miracles” can lift spirits.
“We are very fortunate that our release is coming now, as it appears that we’re getting out of the pandemic,” he said. “We’re not there yet, but our story is an uplifting story, and we feel that it’s just right for an uplifting story to come and for people to feel good after they see this movie.”
Jaffe hopes the film generates enough money so he can contribute proceeds to an initiative to help disadvantaged children in Gainesville.
“My dream is to close the gap in income disparity that threatens the social fabric of our democracy,” he said in a press release. “That would truly be a miracle to me — and for so many others.”
“The Girl Who Believes in Miracles” plays in theaters starting April 2. In Central Florida, catch the film at:
AMC Altamonte Mall 18 (433 E. Altamonte Drive in Altamonte Springs)","type":"text
AMC Dine-in Disney Springs 24 (500 E. Buena Vista Drive in Orlando)","type":"text
AmStar Stadium 12 (950 Colonial Grand Lane in Lake Mary)","type":"text
CMX Daytona Luxury 12 (1850 Legends Lane in Daytona Beach)","type":"text
Cinemark Lakeland Square Mall and XD (3800 U.S. Highway 98 N., suite 910, in Lakeland)","type":"text
CMX Cinemas Lakeside 18 & IMAX (1650 Town Center Drive in Lakeland)","type":"text
For more information, go to thegirlwhobelievesinmiracles.com.
For more information, go to thegirlwhobelievesinmiracles.com.
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