Film, Faith and Foundation
Stories will always captivate our hearts, but when two stories collide, the outcome is monumental. In the new feature film King of Kings, the story of a father and son struggling to connect collides with the miraculous redemption of Jesus Christ. While off screen, the story of a musician suffering with cancer collides with the redemptive hope of her Savior.
King of Kings isn’t just an Easter film telling the story about Jesus’ life on earth two-thousand years ago. It’s also a story about Christ’s presence in our lives today. This is demonstrated through the story of Jane Marczewski whose heart warming song, “Fly” is featured in the film’s trailer. Jane, who goes by Nightbirde, stole the stage on America’s Got Talent when she shared her original song, “It’s Okay” with the judges and audiences. Her honest depiction of her struggle with cancer became a hopeful testament of God’s power and strength.
As you reflect on the poetry of Nightbirde’s journals, lyrics and quotes, you sense a resemblance to the Psalms of King David. Her older brother, Mitch Maczewski, describes, “Jane was able to allow two things to be true at one time in her life. She was able to say, ‘Lord, I don’t understand why this is happening to me. Why did you put this dream in my heart to be a singer and then give me cancer that’s in my lungs? Why do I have to walk through the difficulty of relationships breaking down and having to have cancer at such a young age?’ while also at the same time cling so tightly to the hope she had in Christ. What Jane did that was so helpful for the believer was that she was able to embody what the Psalms talk about a lot, ‘My God why have you forsaken me, yet, I will praise you till I die.’ There’s two things that exist at the same time.”
The stories of Kings, like King David or King Arthur, draw us to our desire for royalty. This certainly was the case for Walter Dickens, Charles Dickens’ son. Struggling to draw his own son into the stories he told until one night Charles Dickens decides to share the truth about Jesus. It’s then that his son becomes fascinated with the power of storytelling. Jesus’s story truly is the greatest story ever told. The film King of Kings depicts Charles and his son’s storytelling journey into the life and ministry of Jesus.
Childlike Faith in King of Kings
King of Kings shows what it’s like to see the story of Jesus through the eyes of a child. Mark 10:14-16 says, “ ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” Jane’s little sister, Katelyn Marczewski says, “Charles Dickens’ son is hearing these stories for the first time and imagining himself there in the midst of it. It was the first time he’s realizing how amazing these stories are.” When we see or hear these stories unfold, we have to ask ourselves if they are real. If we come to terms that they actually happened, we must consider how we are going to respond.
Jane’s music and life was her response to the power of Jesus. Mitch describes, “When I think about the song, “Fly” and the film and the story of Jesus. The song itself really encapsulates the idea that no matter what your circumstances are, no matter what your disappointments are, no matter what your difficulties are, if you have Christ, you’re able to rise above, you’re able to fly above the disappointments and the difficulties. Really all the depressing things that can bring us down. Being able to grab ahold of Jesus as our hope, as our anchor, as the thing that elevates us. It’s not only in line with what Jane is and was, but it’s inline with the way we want to live our lives as followers of Him ultimately.”
It would be too easy to brush King of Kings off as a kids film, simply because it’s animated. But, it’s really a film for those who need hope. Charles Dickens wrote astounding stories about the hardship and beauty of life. The film is inspired by his short story which he read yearly to his family as a Christmas tradition about him, his son and their cat Willa as they become immersed in the story of Jesus. Yet, the writing was largely unknown until 1934 when it was published, six decades after Dickens’ death. In this film, we all walk alongside Jesus, witness His miracles, face His trials and embrace His ultimate sacrifice. The closing credits song, “Live Like That,” sung by the amazing Kristin Chenoweth, shares a story of yearning for a childlike faith. “I am deeply honored to be part of such a significant project,” said Chenoweth. “The opportunity to contribute musically to a film that explores the life of Jesus Christ is both a professional and personal milestone. I hope my song can touch the hearts of everyone who watches ‘The King of Kings.’”
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Casting King of Kings
This film brings together an incredible cast. Actors include those who played the character of Luke Skywalker, James Bond, Hamlet, Medusa from the Percy Jackson series, Zuri in Black Panther and others from the Avengers Series. The voice of Jesus has also voiced iconic roles such as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Fred Flintstone, The Flash, Spider-Man and Leonardo the Ninja Turtle. All these actors are drawn to such significant roles because these characters overcome significant conflict. “The heart of Jane’s story is really just the same story that all of us are a part of and it’s the redemptive love and hope of Jesus Christ,” Kate Marczewski eloquently explains. Our hope is beyond this moment, beyond this world even. By resting in God’s truth, we become free to act as the person He created us to be and live the life that He has placed before us, giving us a profound opportunity to always cling to Him.
