Star of "Risen", Joseph Fiennes, Meets Pope Francis Today

Joseph Fiennes, star of Sony Pictures' new film release RISEN, met Pope Francis in Vatican City today. Fiennes is in town with actress Mario Botto and the producers to promote RISEN, which opens in theaters nationwide in the USA on February 19, 2016. The film will be screened at the Vatican tomorrow. No word on SPHE's DVD/Blu-ray release yet.

RISEN is the epic Biblical story of the Resurrection and the weeks that followed, as seen through the eyes of an unbelieving Clavius (Joseph Fiennes), a high-ranking Roman Military Tribune. Clavius and his aide Lucius (Tom Felton) are instructed by Pontius Pilate to ensure Jesus' radical followers don't steal his body and claim resurrection. When the body goes missing within days, Clavius sets out on a mission to locate the missing body in order to disprove the rumors of a risen Messiah and prevent an uprising in Jerusalem.

          

Rome, Italy - February 3, 2016: Risen star, Joseph Fiennes meets Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City.

SPE's Faith Label AFFIRM Films Options Book "The Devil in Pew Number Seven"

This week, AFFIRM Films (a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment) and Mass Hysteria Entertainment Inc announced a partnership to develop a motion picture based on the book, The Devil In Pew Number Seven. Written by Rebecca Nichols Alonzo with Bob DeMoss, and released by Tyndale House Publishers Inc in 2010, The Devil In Pew Number Seven tells the story of Rebecca Nichols, a young girl who loses her parents when they stand up against evil within their church. Decades later, Rebecca must address if it was worth losing everything.

"Rebecca Nichols Alonzo's story touched our whole team," said Rich Peluso, Senior Vice President of AFFIRM Films. "Her journey through healing and forgiveness recounted before thousands of people across the country proved both engrossing and engaging. We look forward to working with Rebecca, Dan Grodnik and Steve Armour to bring this story to film."

"The Devil in Pew Number Seven is a compelling look at the power of love and forgiveness," said Mass Hysteria CEO and Producer Dan Grodnik. "We are excited to begin the creative journey with Rich Peluso and his AFFIRM Films team."  Steve Armour has been hired to adapt the book.