Love in the Face of ISIS
In 2015, the origin of this premise was given by God in a vision at a writer's conference—a story of redemption and hope.
Love in the Face of ISIS
The origin of this premise was given by God in a vision at a writer's conference in 2015—a story of redemption and hope.
Love in the Face of ISIS
Production Company: Believe Entertainment
Screenwriter: Lorraine Marie Varela
SYNOPSIS: Set against the backdrop of sectarian violence in Iraq, Love in the Face of ISIS is a story that follows Yacoub, a young boy from Baghdad, whose life is forever changed when he innocently mentions the name of Yesua (Jesus) in school. His family, caught in the crossfire of religious tension, becomes the target of sectarian violence. In a brutal raid on their home, Yacoub witnesses the murder of his parents, leaving him and his brother Ibrahim to flee for their lives.
The brothers join a street gang that promises protection, only to find themselves pulled deeper into the chaos of a country torn apart by war. As ISIS rises to power, the brothers are recruited into the group, with Ibrahim seeking revenge for their parents' deaths. The violent world of jihadism tests their bond, and Ibrahim is consumed by his thirst for vengeance. Meanwhile, Yacoub, though loyal to his brother, begins to question the ideology and actions of ISIS. His curiosity about his mother’s faith and his growing doubts lead to internal conflict, as he struggles to reconcile his beliefs with the violent path they have chosen—a weakness Ibrahim seethes over, pitting brother against brother, culminating in the ultimate showdown.
Led out into the desert sands by their hooded captors, Yacoub marches alongside the other Christians, all clad in orange jumpsuits, infidels who are not worthy of life. When the executioners remove their hoods, we see Ibrahim looming over his brother's lifeless body, his knife still dripping with his brother's blood. Thrust into inner turmoil, Ibrahim is forced to confront his own actions and the consequences of his pursuit of revenge. The story culminates in a choice that will define his future: will Ibrahim continue down the path of violence, or will he follow the call of redemption as given by the Man in White? It is a monumental decision he alone can make . . .
Production Budget: TBD
SYNOPSIS: Set against the backdrop of sectarian violence in Iraq, Love in the Face of ISIS is a story that follows Yacoub, a young boy from Baghdad, whose life is forever changed when he innocently mentions the name of Yesua (Jesus) in school. His family, caught in the crossfire of religious tension, becomes the target of sectarian violence. In a brutal raid on their home, Yacoub witnesses the murder of his parents, leaving him and his brother Ibrahim to flee for their lives.
The brothers join a street gang that promises protection, only to find themselves pulled deeper into the chaos of a country torn apart by war. As ISIS rises to power, the brothers are recruited into the group, with Ibrahim seeking revenge for their parents' deaths. The violent world of jihadism tests their bond, and Ibrahim is consumed by his thirst for vengeance. Meanwhile, Yacoub, though loyal to his brother, begins to question the ideology and actions of ISIS. His curiosity about his mother’s faith and his growing doubts lead to internal conflict, as he struggles to reconcile his beliefs with the violent path they have chosen—a weakness Ibrahim seethes over, pitting brother against brother, culminating in the ultimate showdown.
Led out into the desert sands by their hooded captors, Yacoub marches alongside the other Christians, all clad in orange jumpsuits, infidels who are not worthy of life. When the executioners remove their hoods, we see Ibrahim looming over his brother's lifeless body, his knife still dripping with his brother's blood. Thrust into inner turmoil, Ibrahim is forced to confront his own actions and the consequences of his pursuit of revenge. The story culminates in a choice that will define his future: will Ibrahim continue down the path of violence, or will he follow the call of redemption as given by the Man in White? It is a monumental decision he alone can make . . .
Production Budget: TBD
A Note from the Writer
To divorce God from the culture of daily life in Iraq is impossible—everything revolves around religion. Neither is it possible to divorce God from the creation of this film. It all exists because of Him.
On June 10, 2015, exactly one year from the day ISIS invaded Mosul, I sat in a writer's conference as two filmmakers shared their secret for a successful film pitch: the hook. My husband leaned over and whispered, "The name of your book is a hook for a movie." I knew Gabriel was right. The title sounded like a movie, and we hadn't seen it before. But I was commissioned to write a book on prayer for the persecuted church traumatized by ISIS. Where was the story in that? And so I prayed . . .
Okay, God, if you want this to be a movie, then what's the story?
Immediately I was caught up in a vision where I watched the framework of the movie from start to finish: the theme, the characters with their inner and outer worlds, conflict and tension, and resolution.
Sharing this concept with the filmmakers confirmed what I knew to be true. The story was good. It was from God. This encouragement fueled us as Gabriel and I went into Jordan to interview Iraqi refugees who had fled from ISIS. I learned a shocking truth: they were just like us. Their stories could be our stories one day, if the circumstances are ripe. Woven together, their life experiences would be enfolded into one compelling film.
On June 10, 2016, God enabled me to complete the script in a miraculous finish. Since that day, Gabriel and I have carried the purpose for this film and held fast to His heart for the people of the Middle East as we traveled through Malta and Iraq. While on a location scout, a scene from my script unfolded in Malta's city square: walking home from soccer practice, Yacoub encounters a stranger and shows off his juggling skills with the ball. We stood in awe as a young Maltese boy brought this scene to life for us, move by move.
The hand of God has been present in power throughout this process. Without a doubt, He will see it through.
~Lorraine Marie Varela
A Note from the Writer
To divorce God from the culture of daily life in Iraq is impossible—everything revolves around religion. Neither is it possible to divorce God from the creation of this film. It all exists because of Him.
On June 10, 2015, exactly one year from the day ISIS invaded Mosul, I sat in a writer's conference as two filmmakers shared their secret for a successful film pitch: the hook. My husband leaned over and whispered, "The name of your book is a hook for a movie." I knew Gabriel was right. The title sounded like a movie, and we hadn't seen it before. But I was commissioned to write a book on prayer for the persecuted church traumatized by ISIS. Where was the story in that? And so I prayed . . .
Okay, God, if you want this to be a movie, then what's the story?
Immediately I was caught up in a vision where I watched the framework of the movie from start to finish: the theme, the characters with their inner and outer worlds, conflict and tension, and resolution.
Sharing this concept with the filmmakers confirmed what I knew to be true. The story was good. It was from God. This encouragement fueled us as Gabriel and I went into Jordan to interview Iraqi refugees who had fled from ISIS. I learned a shocking truth: they were just like us. Their stories could be our stories one day, if the circumstances are ripe. Woven together, their life experiences would be enfolded into one compelling film.
On June 10, 2016, God enabled me to complete the script in a miraculous finish. Since that day, Gabriel and I have carried the purpose for this film and held fast to His heart for the people of the Middle East as we traveled through Malta and Iraq. While on a location scout, a scene from my script unfolded in Malta's city square: walking home from soccer practice, Yacoub encounters a stranger and shows off his juggling skills with the ball. We stood in awe as a young Maltese boy brought this scene to life for us, move by move.
The hand of God has been present in power throughout this process. Without a doubt, He will see it through.
~Lorraine Marie Varela
A Note from the Writer
To divorce God from the culture of daily life in Iraq is impossible—everything revolves around religion. Neither is it possible to divorce God from the creation of this film. It all exists because of Him.
On June 10, 2015, exactly one year from the day ISIS invaded Mosul, I sat in a writer's conference as two filmmakers shared their secret for a successful film pitch: the hook. My husband leaned over and whispered, "The name of your book is a hook for a movie." I knew Gabriel was right. The title sounded like a movie, and we hadn't seen it before. But I was commissioned to write a book on prayer for the persecuted church traumatized by ISIS. Where was the story in that? And so I prayed . . .
Okay, God, if you want this to be a movie, then what's the story?
Immediately I was caught up in a vision where I watched the framework of the movie from start to finish: the theme, the characters with their inner and outer worlds, conflict and tension, and resolution.
Sharing this concept with the filmmakers confirmed what I knew to be true. The story was good. It was from God. This encouragement fueled us as Gabriel and I went into Jordan to interview Iraqi refugees who had fled from ISIS. I learned a shocking truth: they were just like us. Their stories could be our stories one day, if the circumstances are ripe. Woven together, their life experiences would be enfolded into one compelling film.
On June 10, 2016, God enabled me to complete the script in a miraculous finish. Since that day, Gabriel and I have carried the purpose for this film and held fast to His heart for the people of the Middle East as we traveled through Malta and Iraq. While on a location scout, a scene from my script unfolded in Malta's city square: walking home from soccer practice, Yacoub encounters a stranger and shows off his juggling skills with the ball. We stood in awe as a young Maltese boy brought this scene to life for us, move by move.
The hand of God has been present in power throughout this process. Without a doubt, He will see it through.
~Lorraine Marie Varela