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Director, writer claim faith-based film not getting attention it deserves

They argue Paramount, the producer for "Same Kind of Different As Me," is not putting enough promotion behind the film it because of its themes, and is threatening to pull the film after just one week. 

One week after a Hollywood film based on a New York Times bestseller opened to the public, the book's author and film's director claim the movie isn't getting the attention it deserves from its producer.

The film, "Same Kind of Different As Me," released Oct. 20 by Paramount and Pure Flix and directed by Michael Carney, is based on the novel of the same name written by Ron Hall.

According to Steven Soulios, Carney's attorney, "Same Kind of Different As Me's" themes include messages of "forgiveness, racial reconciliation and outreach to the homeless," but those are the exact "Christian messages" Soulious said are leading Paramount not to "promote it as they should."

He argues, on behalf of his client, that "Same Kind of Different As Me's" 93 percent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes would be enough to generate millions in ticket sales. Despite that, Soulios said Paramount is threatening to pull the film, which is based on true events, from theaters after just one weekend. He and Carney said it's a "shame that they can not see the value of promoting something good."

"They would rather forgo making substantial profits simply to not have the Christian message of forgiveness and racial reconciliation be seen and heard, and peoples lives changed as result thereof," Soulios said.

11Alive has reached out to Paramount for comment on those claims, but did not hear back by the time this article was published.

11Alive's Natisha Lance spoke to Ron Hall during a fundraising event for homelessness in Atlanta and he echoed Soulious' sentiments.

"[Hollywood] wants to blow up towns and kill everybody and we're trying to save the world with this film," Hall said.

He agreed that they were not getting enough advertising and said they're relying on word of mouth.

"If you like films of hope and redemption and friendship and the kinds of things that everyone should enjoy and love, this is your film," he said.

However, even with the majority-positive reviews from audiences, critics have been less receptive to the film -- it's got a 17 percent review rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

RogerEbert.com gave the film two stars, and wrote it "is a top nominee for the Nice Movie of 2017, in that it just wants to exist and be kind when not trying to extract tears from its audience like test subjects. Spiritually, it feels relatively tame compared to other religious movies, as it doesn’t proclaim that 'Heaven is For Real' or 'God’s Not Dead' but it does use the Bible as a moral compass on its bland journey of selflessness."

In Variety's review, Amy Nicholson called the the movie "less inspiring than the messages in it."

"Same Kind of Different As Me" made $2,560,000 opening weekend and has grossed $5,120,000 worldwide. Find showtimes for the film in Atlanta here.

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