An Advent/Christmas film opens in Utah Nov. 22

Intermountain Catholic

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Former Senator Rick Santorum visits with Jeanine and Lee Groberg prior to the sneak preview of ?The Christmas Candle.? IC photo/Christine Young

SANDY — Former Senator Richard "Rick" Santorum was in Sandy at the Jordan Commons on Nov. 6 for a sneak preview of The Christmas Candle, a film he is promoting.

The film is based on a novel by bestselling author Max Lucado. The Advent-focused film, about hope and miracles, will be in theaters Nov. 22.

Santorum is the chief executive officer of Echolight Studios, which has released various family films with a focus on faith. He is making a commitment to enriching the culture through film, and this is his first major release.

Santorum, a Catholic, served as a United States senator representing Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2007 and was the Senate’s third-ranking Republican from 2001 until 2007. He ran as a candidate for the 2012 Republican Party presidential nomination, finishing second to the eventual Republican nominee, Mitt Romney.

Santorum has been meeting with Catholic, Protestant, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints leaders across the country, sharing scenes from the film as well as his desire to see the culture changed for Jesus Christ.

During the sneak preview event, Santorum discussed his vision of movies and participated in a question and answer about practical steps Christians can take locally that will impact Hollywood and the culture at large.

"I have been traveling across the country introducing people to The Christmas Candle," Santorum said, adding that if Hollywood actors and producers can be involved in politics, then conservative politicians can be involved in movies.

"If we are going to make a positive impact on our country’s cultural challenges, we have to do it by reaching the masses, often through entertainment," Santorum said.

Those who create art have a right to influence the public with what they produce, Santorum said. "But I have seen folks who have a different point of view from that which comes out of Hollywood and been in a defensive posture trying to protect themselves instead of going out and producing good quality content that is consistent with the moral pattern of our country."

As a politician, Santorum has seen the impact of the popular culture on every aspect of society and now instead of fighting the tide because Hollywood has more power than he does, he is getting involved, he said.

"The storytellers are telling stories that are inconsistent, in my opinion, with the world truths that have made this country a decent, prosperous country," Santorum said. "I’m not condemning Hollywood, but my feeling is we need to produce good-quality content for people that is entertaining, inspiring and from my perspective, and why I got involved, has to do with faith. Faith is an integral part of what forms a good and decent moral society."

The Christmas Candle is a film about the English countryside village of Gladbury in 1890, where, according to legend, every 25 years a miracle happens. The people discover that good deeds, acts of kindness and prayer prevail in helping their dreams come true.

During the Q and A following the film, a teen affirmed for Santorum that the film appealed to the younger audience.

Lee Groberg, of Groberg Independent Films, and his wife, Jeanine, also liked The Christmas Candle.

"It was a very good film and I enjoyed every aspect of it. It was just kind of a fun G-rated, wholesome film that I think talks of the spirit of Christmas," Groberg said, adding that he is going to tell his children about the film.