By Judy Shields
Los Angeles, California (The Hollywood Times) 10/20/2022 – “In my opinion, we need more family movies, more wholesome movies. I wanted to be able to have my grandmother next to me and my 10 year old son on the other side of me and be able to watch something together as a family. This movie is excellent counter-programming and can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages and a real message of hope.” Actor Ryan O’Quinn told The Hollywood Times during a Zoom interview today.
The Hollywood Times had the great pleasure of speaking to actor Ryan O’Quinn about his new movie “Paul’s Promise.” So get out those headsets or earbuds, a beverage of your choice and enjoy our conversation:
“During this time, in which we are facing as a nation, we need a movie like “Paul’s Promise.” So gather the entire family and go see this amazing movie tomorrow. Ryan O’Quinn said all you have to do is go to the website and put in your zip code to find a theater near you, click HERE to just do that. You can even purchase tickets on the website. If you don’t see it playing near you, just click on the “Demand” tab and fill out a form to be able to bring the movie to your town.” Judy Shields, The Hollywood Times
DAMASCUS ROAD PRODUCTIONS, UPTONE PICTURES AND SALTSHAKER MEDIA ANNOUNCE “PAUL’S PROMISE” THEATRICAL RELEASE
FILM STARRING LINDA PURL, NANCY STAFFORD, RYAN O’QUINN, SHARI RIGBY, JOSEF CANNON AND DEAN CAIN SLATED TO OPEN ON OCT. 21 (200+ MARKETS) THROUGH INTEGRITY RELEASING, WITH HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASE SLATED FOR DEC. 6
AN INSPIRING BIOPIC OF HOPE, FAITH AND RACIAL RECONCILIATION PORTRAYS THE STORY OF PAUL HOLDERFIELD AND HIS IMPACT ON THE WORLD THROUGH HIS PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION
“PAUL’S PROMISE” SERVES AS DEBUT PROJECT UNDER DAMASCUS ROAD’S MULTI-PICTURE PARTNERSHIP WITH FILM EXECUTIVE, PRODUCER AND FINANCIER MIKE ILITCH, JR.
Los Angeles, CA — Damascus Road Productions, Uptone Pictures and SaltShaker Media announce the upcoming theatrical release of “Paul’s Promise” (check out the trailer HERE).
The inspiring biopic of hope, faith and racial reconciliation is slated to open in 200+ markets on Oct. 21 through Integrity Releasing with Home Entertainment release to launch on Dec. 6. The film stars Linda Purl, Nancy Stafford, Ryan O’Quinn, Shari Rigby, Josef Cannon and Dean Cain.
“Paul’s Promise” is the debut project to be released under the newly-announced Damascus Road multi-picture pact with film executive, producer and financier Mike Ilitch, Jr., who has committed to a slate of films, many already in the production and distribution process, with a broad forthcoming slate to also soon be announced.
“Inspiring audiences through entertainment has always been a goal for our companies,” said Ilitch. “This true story of one man’s journey of transformation that impacted generations fits perfectly with our brand and the stories we are sharing with the world.”
Hollywood veterans Ryan O’Quinn and Heather O’Quinn of Damascus Road Productions and Uptone Pictures’ Michael Davis lead the charge in producing “Paul’s Promise,” a powerful and timely biopic about the former racist firefighter-turned-pastor in the height of the 1960s Civil Rights movement. Nick Logan and Ty Nsekhe also serve as executive producers.
“It is truly a highlight of my career to bring this story to the big screen,” says O’Quinn. “One man’s decision to serve God and stand up to injustice continues to make a huge impact on his community to this day.”
The film chronicles Paul Holderfield, Sr.’s life, who was raised poor and knew what it was like to go to bed hungry and hear his mother pray at night for food for her children.
In the 1950’s, during the Little Rock Central High School crisis, Holderfield was a North Little Rock fireman and remembers turning his back on a Black man, hoping he would not recognize him, but he did. His childhood best friend Jimmy Lipkin approached Paul for a handshake, but Holderfield put his hands in his back pockets and refused to shake Lipkin’s hand.
Later convicted by his actions, Holderfield told his wife Barbara that he would never again treat a human being that way. Ultimately, Holderfield started Friendly Chapel and F.L.A.M.E. (Feeding and Loving All Men Equally) to help others and spent the rest of his life giving back to anyone in need. As he put it: “We came into the neighborhood when they did not want us and stayed until they could not do without us.”
Fully dedicated to meeting people’s needs, Holderfield built an organization that has been serving others for 30+ years, meeting the nutritional (through a soup kitchen/food pantry) emotional, physical (clothing, shelter), spiritual and health needs of others 24/7, 365 days a year.
“‘Paul’s Promise’ shares the hope and healing of Holderfield’s life during a troubled time in our Nation’s history,” says Executive Producer Nick Logan. “His life’s work continues to this day through his family and his son, Paul Holderfield, Jr.”
Damascus Road Productions, Uptone Pictures and SaltShaker Media are entertainment and media production companies dedicated to producing and distributing high-quality content across all platforms.
For more information, please visit www.paulspromisemovie.com.
About Damascus Road Productions
Damascus Road Productions is a Los Angeles-based entertainment and media company founded by Ryan and Heather O’Quinn that is focused on high-quality family and faith entertainment across all platforms. For more information, visit www.damascusroadprods.com.
About Mike Ilitch Jr Entertainment
Mike Ilitch Jr. Entertainment is a global media company dedicated to producing, distributing, and promoting inspirational film and television content that seeks to entertain, educate and change the world.
About Integrity Releasing
The distribution arm of Damascus Road, Integrity Releasing, is a global marketing and distribution company uniquely positioned to allow independent filmmakers unprecedented access to theatrical and home entertainment
About Saltshaker Media
SaltShaker Media develops, funds, and produces films that positively influence culture and bring positive entertainment options to everyone everywhere. They have been involved in films such as “Divided Hearts of America,” “Reagan,” and “This is the Year,” and are currently developing “The Joe Roth Story.”
About Uptone Pictures
Uptone is a highly sought-after independent film production, post-production and sales company that creates high quality content for global audiences.
