Connect with us

We Speak Entertainment

How Biblical epic ‘His Only Son’ became an unlikely box-office hit

Published

on

His Only Son’ depicts one of the more controversial stories from the Old Testament – God commanding Abraham to sacrifice his own son. The feature film digs deep into accounts of Abraham’s life leading up to the birth of his son and then the agonizing burden of taking him to the place of sacrifice. With its rich, character-focused script, the film answers the persistent question: why would God command such a thing?

The movie was shot in the summer of 2019 with Nicolas Mouawad (a highly acclaimed TV star in the Middle East) as Abraham and Sara Seyed (from Netflix’s ‘Young Wallander’) as Sarah. The production was plagued by hold-ups – illness, budget constraints and, of course, the pandemic – but when it opened on 31 March this year it became a critical and financial success.

Reaching the number-three spot in the US box office on its opening weekend, it earned an ‘A’ on CinemaScore, a 96% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, and made $12 million in takings. The film also reached the #1 spot theatrically in Lebanon and is set to premiere in many other international regions, including LATAM, Europe and South Korea.

The original idea for the project came from writer/director David Helling, who brought it to the film’s original producer, Michael Kaney. However, as Michael’s health declined, Roman Medjanov was brought on as a full-time producer to take the lead on the project and guarantee its completion. 

Producing the film was not an easy task. Roman, along with David, who was directing, had to figure out how to put a biblical epic on screen with a micro-production budget. This began a year-long pre-production stage where locations were found and secured, necessary crew positions determined and hired, cast discovered, production design built and sourced, and the schedule squeezed to fit the budget. 

Roman Medjanov Photo credit: RockBridge Productions

Once the production started, there was no room for error. Roman had to strategically stay ahead of every decision made on set each day, to ensure the film’s completion on time without overages. The film was shot in the desert areas north of Los Angeles and proved to be a trying production; scorching summer heat, remote locations only accessible by foot, nightshoots, on-screen animals, stunts, and underwater photography.

During post-production it became apparent that the crucial last scene had to be reshot. Roman had to find a way to acquire new funding and safely film the remaining shots in the midst of a pandemic when the world had shut down. Finally, after years of waiting patiently for the VFX to be complete, numerous distribution talks began in 2022. Thankfully, Angel Studios, the studio behind the smash hit ‘The Chosen’, came in with a promise of a wide theatrical distribution and Easter-season release – leading the film to the success it has achieved so far. 

Roman Medjanov is an accomplished producer; besides making an unlikely box-office hit with ‘His Only Son’, Roman’s first feature-length film was a documentary called ‘Story of Sales.’ Made on a tight budget, the film had an incredible ROI of over $20 million. This was the first documentary to tackle the subject of sales, and it premiered at Dreamforce, known as ‘the Golden Globes of tech’.

In 2023, Roman had another film premiere, ‘Rally’, a feature-length documentary depicting one of the most controversial figures in modern San Francisco politics. It had its first screening at the San Francisco International Film Festival, introduced on stage by the city’s Mayor.

Roman Medjanov Photo credit: Aaron Garabedian

Roman is also a full-time producer at RockBridge Productions, where he produces commercials for brands including Spotify, KIA, Clorox, Salesforce and UCSF. He’s won multiple awards for his commercial work, including a Pollie Award, an American Advertising Award, and two Telly Awards in the same year. He has also won awards from Venice Film Awards and Golden Gate International Film Festival for his narrative work.

Following the success of ‘His Only Son,’ the sequel – currently under the working title ‘Jacob’ – has been greenlit. The film is set to begin pre-production later this summer with an anticipated theatrical release date of Easter 2025.

Featured photo credit: Getty Images

We Speak Entertainment

BASHIR HOGUE | The Face Of Success

Published

on

BaShir Hogue Born and raised in PhiladelphiaPABaShir’s love affair with music began at the tender age of five, when he joined the Open Door Baptist Church’s choir. Little did anyone know that this young boy would grow up to become a force to be reckoned with in the music world.

BaShir’s musical journey took him to Deliverance Evangelistic Church, where he became a lead singer and praise and worship leader. His soulful and versatile voice quickly gained recognition, and he started performing professionally at the age of nine. Over the years, he has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Kim Burrell, Karen Clark-Sheard, Maurette Brown Clark, and even the legendary Andrea Bocelli.

But BaShir’s impact extends far beyond his music. He is also a talented songwriter and host of “The Culture Talk Show” on P3 Christian Radio and iHeartRadio. This popular talk show has seen him interview a plethora of award-winning celebrities, including Melba Moore, JJ Hairston, Ruben Studdard, and many more.

BaShir’s success can be attributed to his hard work and dedication. He has spent years honing his craft, and his passion for music is evident in every performance. His philosophy, “Legacy is who you’ve touched. Success is who you’re touching,” is a testament to his commitment to using his platform to inspire and uplift others.

In 2022BaShir signed an exclusive mainstream distribution deal with Empire, a major label that boasts a roster of talented artists, including Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Jacob Latimore. This deal has opened up new doors for BaShir, allowing him to share his music with a wider audience and cement his place as a leading figure in the industry.

Throughout his career, BaShir has been recognized for his contributions to the music industry. He is a two-time Gospel Image Award winner and has performed for President Bill Clinton, among other notable figures.

Despite his many achievements, BaShirremains humble and grounded. He continues to work tirelessly, using his platform to promote positivity and inspire others. His talk show and music are a testament to his dedication to his craft, and his legacy is sure to continue inspiring generations to come.

In conclusion, BaShir Hogue is a shining star in the music industry. His talent, passion, and dedication have made him a household name, and his impact will be felt for years to come. As he continues to soar to new heights, we can’t help but wonder what the future holds for this gifted artist.

BaShir Hogue’s story is a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and passion. He is an inspiration to us all, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this talented artist.

Continue Reading

Trending