Editors’ Note: This movie opens Sept. 26 in theaters nationwide. David Pliler was the screenwriter and Brad Pelo was the executive producer of Forever Strong. All images Copyright 2008 Crane Movie Company . All rights reserved.
Those of us in the film industry think that movies can actually make a difference in people’s life. After all, the reason many people don’t go to movies and are selective about what their children watch is because we know that we are influenced by what we see on the screen. Some movies are meant to entertain us, others provoke us to think, but very few times do we walk away from a theater feeling like our life has been changed forever. Forever Strong , a movie opening nationwide in the US this weekend is such a film.
It is the story of Rick Penning, who lived life just like he played rugby; fast, hard-hitting and intense. When life on the edge lands him in jail, his case worker Marcus offers him a chance to get back in the game by playing for his rival rugby team. Reluctantly, and with plenty of attitude, he joins Highland Rugby where he must adopt the unique code of conduct that Coach Gelwi enforces, or finish out the full term of his sentence locked away. Egos clash making life on the field difficult for his new teammates, but an unlikely brotherhood forms forcing Rick eventually to choose between conflicting loyalties.
How the Movie Came to Be
Almost three years ago we happened upon a story in the LDS Church News about one of America ‘s most successful athletic teams, a rugby team from Salt Lake City with a win-loss record of 379 and 9 over a 33-year period. Inspired by what we read in the short article, we began to explore the possibility of creating a motion picture based on this remarkable team.
We conducted dozens of interviews of past and present team members, and while the stories changed from person to person, almost every team member we interviewed made a common statement. They would say something to the effect that being on this team “changed my life forever.” Little did we know then that this was a statement we would hear again and again during the making of Forever Strong.
It wasn’t long before we had a finished script and were casting the film in Los Angeles. The final step in casting was to have the coach of the Highland Rugby team, Larry Gelwix, fly to LA and conduct a workout session in a local park for the young men who were being considered. After only a few minutes, it became clear to everyone that we were casting actors and not athletes. In order for the film to be realistic the actors were going to need some training. The final cast was required to come to Utah a week before filming began to participate in a boot camp with coach Gelwix.
The boot camp began each day at 7:00 AM with a break at midday when the actors would go to coach Gelwix’s house for lunch and some rest. During these daily breaks coach Gelwix would share the life principles that were at the heart of the Highland Rugby way, the secrets so to speak behind Highland ‘s remarkable success.
Soon we had a group of actors who could not only play rugby, but more importantly they were beginning to resemble Highland rugby players in more ways than just their physical skill. At one point during the week the actors announced that they had decided among themselves to keep the Highland pledge of not drinking or using abusive substances during their time making the film. Something we would have never requested nor even suggested given the life styles many of them lived.
By the end of the week our group of actors turned rugby players, approached us and asked if we had decided on a title for the movie. Up until that time we had simply referred to the movie generically as “the rugby movie.” They then explained that one of the things they had learned during their week with coach Gelwix was the phrase Kia Kaha, a Moari phrase meaning Forever Strong. This, they suggested, should be the title of the film. It was the guiding principle of what it meant to be a Highland rugby team member.
By mid-point through the shoot each actor, without a single exception, repeated what we had heard earlier from former Highland team members, “this experience was life changing.” In fact one of the lead actors went so far as to say that he would return every penny we paid him if necessary since he considered his association with the film and the Highland rugby team one of the most influential experiences of his life. He would never be the same.
Audience Testing
A year later the film was in a form and ready for audience testing. We hired the Nielsen Research company to do a test screening in Paramus, New Jersey. Even though the testing company was going to provide their findings in written form, they encouraged us to witness firsthand the audience reaction to the film. At the conclusion of the film we stepped outside the theater while the audience members filled out their surveys. One by one the audience members exited and handed their completed survey to the attendants at the door. At one point, a woman who had just handed over her survey, turned and looked around rather than continuing to the outer doors. The attendant asked if there was something she needed. She asked if someone from the filmmaking team was present. After we were pointed out, she approached us and extended her hand. “Thank you,” she said, “for making this movie. It has changed my life.” Over the next few months we would screen the film several more times and hear similar responses.
Tonight was the Los Angeles premiere of the film. What had started as a dream only three years ago is now reality. Celebrities, press, photographers and pretty people all gathered to be a part of our celebration, but you know what happened when people walked out? You guessed it, they had a life changing experience.
Now you might think it presumptuous of those involved in the making of this film to be unashamedly making the claim that their movie will change your life. But we make this claim because it isn’t the film itself that matters, it’s what the film depicts. We had nothing to do with the lives, the team, the coach and the experiences that made up the story of the film. Our job was to simply capture it. But in the process we can join with many others in saying that our lives have been changed forever. We hope you will also have that same experience.
Forever Strong opens September 26th in theaters nationwide. For theater locations and showtimes, visit: https://www.fandango.com/foreverstrong_118285/movieoverview
Rated PG-13 for depiction of underage drinking
