Hillsong United's new iHeart Film - "We're All in This Together" is arriving in cinemas across Australia this Thursday, and we caught up with Paul Nevison, one of the key people who worked with Joel Houston on the project, to find out more. We also asked a question on behalf of all the iHaters out there = )
iHeart Film Trailer
1.Firstly what does the word iheart mean?
i heart simply refers to action....based on a decision....ultimately motivated by love. It was summed it up pretty well when we first started out on this journey: Every generation needs a revolution and this one needs to look, sound, walk and breathe like love.
2. I've seen a lot of the promotion behind the iheart revolution, but would you be able to give an introduction to the project for those that haven't heard of it? Could you share just briefly from your heart why you've invested 4 years of your life?
Part one was all about the confession of our lips...our worship and commitment to our Saviour. The film is part two and sets us up to put that devotion to the test. Part three is an online movement to educate and empower individuals to become the hands and feet of Jesus when it comes to playing our part in social justice.
In the film we use a quote from William Wilberforce where he responds to the slave trade by declaring to parliament You may choose to look the other way but you can never again say you did not know. When you are confronted with the realities of what life is really like for the majority of the people we share the planet with, then you suddenly become responsible.
iHeart Film Trailer - William Wilberforce Animation
When you find out people are dying from preventable and treatable disease because they can¹t afford a pill that costs $2, because they earn only $1 a day, it becomes less of a question of what are they doing about it and more of a question of well what am I doing?.
Most people are either oblivious too or paralyzed by...the cavernous gap that exists between the developed and developing worlds. But for a person of faith, I don¹t believe the fight for justice can be an optional extra or something we need to pray about....God is justice and we need to get about doing what Jesus instructed when he prayed Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
3. What was your role in producing the iheart film and what do you see the film doing for the revolution?
We had a very small team producing this film, so as a result we ended up wearing multiple hats throughout the journey of getting it finished. I think that was one of the strengths of the team, that while we all brought different skills and perspective to the film, this collage of skills came together to form what has become a very eclectic cinematic journey. So practically that meant us all picking up cameras, interviewing, editing, directing, producing....re-shooting, re-editing....before putting it all in the microwave and blasting it for 5mins on high.
The film is just the beginning of what we hope will be a wider movement of people getting educated on the issues and then getting to work with what each of us has uniquely in our hands. Everyone's situation is different and we hope that people will be able to engage with the film and then follow through with a response that is unique to where they are at. In the words of Robert F Kennedy those ripples (of hope) build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.
4. What was your favourite scene/moment in the film and why?
There is one story that has always stuck out to me from the moment I first saw the footage. It's the story of a couple in Mexico City, that through no fault of their own, find themselves having to live in a rubbish dump separated from their children. Despite the terrible circumstances they are living in, I am always moved and challenged by the sense of dignity and pride they are able to display in the face of the oppressive poverty that is their daily lives. Their story for me, personalizes poverty, puts a face and gives voice to the millions that we often so easily dismiss as faceless statistics. They challenge me to keep it personal...to look past the stats and see the value in every person.
5. For all the iHaters out there, is it true that the name iHeart was concieved before the iPod ever came out?
Well preoccupation with I certainly predates any shiny gadget Steve Jobs has come up with. In some ways I hope we can reclaim the term I and turn it round so it's less about me, myself and I and more about what am I doing for others.
Cool....ok let's find out more about you now...What is your favourite:
Movie..? To many to choose...but I can honestly say I never tire of watching Napoleon Dynamite
Food spot in Sydney..? pretty much anywhere in Surry Hills..you can't go wrong..though checking for a health dept certificate is recommended.
Song..? Sesame Street theme...cause it¹s do darn catchy....come and play everything¹s A-OK..
Moment during the filming process..? Finishing lol....there were many moments when we thought we would never get to the end!
Ninja or Pirates..? Definitely Ninjas....they will take you out before you have even had time to say YO HO HO and a bottle of.....arrrrrrgggghhhhhh
Thanks for your time...we can't wait to see the film and be inspired!
To find out more about the iHeart Film - "We're all in this together" check out www.iheartfilm.com