Here’s the latest from the crossroads of faith, media & culture: 02/14/25

Brutal reminder. Ten years ago, the world was shocked when ISIS militants brutally executed 21 Coptic Christian prisoners in orange jumpsuits on a beach in Libya on February 15, 2015. The killers released a video showing all but the moments of death, which came by beheading. In 2023, Pope Francis extended the title of martyrdom to the 21, making this the first time in history that Coptic Christians were recognized as martyrs by the Catholic Church. To honor them, Jonathan Roumie (who plays Jesus on The Chosen) has executive produced the animated film The 21 in collaboration with the global Coptic Community a team of 70-plus artists from more than 24 countries. The film has been Oscar-shortlisted and accepted into several film festivals this year. You can view the entire 13-minute production here.

Almost 80% of the world’s inhabitants live in countries where there are still high levels of governmental or societal restrictions on religion, and persecution has been steadily increasing. Coptics, a 1,500-year-old Christian community in Egypt, have been persecuted throughout their history and still face many hardships similar to those faced by the Jews, the Uyghurs and others. Organizations like Pew Research and International Christian Concern release annual reports revealing worldwide watch lists of this repression and persecution by the most dangerous countries, organizations and individuals.
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On a far lighter note...Love is in the air this Valentine’s Day weekend.

Inspirational iHeart Media Network radio host Delilah is started today by opening the Valentine’s Day lights on New York’s Empire State Building. She’ll host an 80th floor screening of the quintessential V-Day rom-com Sleepless in Seattle at 6:00 PM ET tonight. Meanwhile, St. Louis Marriage Coaching President and Founder David Rispoli‘s faith-themed guide From Roommates to Soulmates: The Keys to Creating a Phenomenal Marriage by Design is available is available for couples seeking to strengthen their relationships for the long term.

More short term, if you’re just looking for a nice romantic film to catch this weekend, For the Love Of Chocolate airs tomorrow night (2/15) on Great American Family at 8:00 PM ET (also streaming on Great American Pure Flix). Rhiannon Fish, known for her roles in the Australian soaps Neighbours and Home and Away and in America for The CW’s sci-fi drama The 100, stars as Aria, a gourmet dessert chef preparing for the annual Masters of Chocolate Festival only to see her plans get rattled when she loses her partner shortly before the competition. Then, in the most unforeseen plot twist ever, dashing single father Ryan (Jesse Hutch) soon steps in to help add just the right ingredient to her life. Of course, as Rhiannon suggests in our conversation, like many great recipes, the appeal of movies like this isn’t that they necessarily break the but mold but that they go down easy like great comfort food.

JWK: So, tell me about your background and how you came to play this role.

Rhiannon Fish: It was fun. We actually shot this movie a few years ago. It’s one of my first jobs that I booked in Vancouver. To see that this movie is finding a second wind with Great American Family is so exciting to me…I think that there is something in this movie for everyone – especially around Valentine’s Day. I think people are gonna really enjoy it.

JWK: The message that I take from watching this movie is about daring to dream big and, like with a good recipe, taking the time to build a strong foundation for your life. What do you take from it?

RF: That’s great, John!…I haven’t really thought about it like that. That’s beautiful! I think what we see a lot in all the different relationships is that they all need each other. We see it in Aria’s relationship with her sister as well. They need each other. She, of course, has something that she needs from Ryan. Ryan and his whole family really complete each other. They are definitely one big unit. Then to see all of these characters sort of collide in a beautiful way to help all of their dreams come true I think is really, really beautiful.

JWK: Of course, the big question is do you actually love chocolate?

RF: Oh, John. Who doesn’t love chocolate? I LOVE chocolate. I love how much we got to eat while we were making it. I noticed when I was watching the film again last night that we took really little bites because, of course, we did not just do one take. There were many, many, many takes so we had to pace out our chocolate eating but it was very much enjoyed every day on set.   

JWK: Do you have a favorite chocolate?

RF: I’m vegan. I like any chocolate that is made with any kind of almond milk or coconut milk. That’s my jam.

JWK: So, are there a lot of good vegan recipes that use chocolate?

RF: Oh, absolutely. A lot dark chocolate is naturally vegan. So, yeah, it’s delicious.

JWK: You were born in Canada but you moved to Australia where you had early success in a couple of Australian TV shows. You’ve also been in Canadian productions and Americans may know you for your recurring role in The 100. What are the differences between doing Australian, Canadian and American productions?

RF: I think Australia is so wonderful in that it’s a much smaller pond. So, that meant when I started acting I kind of had more opportunities to do so. I’m so lucky. I think I booked my first job when I was about eleven. I will forever be grateful for that because when you start working and you’re that age people literally hold your hand. It would be like “Okay, this is where you stand. This is where you don’t look at the camera.” So, it’s stuff that I was able to learn as a child that I, of course, still use to this day. Being in Australia really gave me opportunities that I’m not sure I would have had had I been in America or in Canada. It’s a much larger scale, for sure, in America and Canada.

JWK: What do you look for in a role?

RF: Omigosh! When I watched it last night I was thinking I was like “Somebody wants to see this right now.” I think that is the wonderful thing about Great American Family. Sometimes there are lot things going on the world. To just be able to put on a movie where you pretty much know it’s going to be a happy ending, everything is going to be okay and that the primary focus is going to be family – and the love of family – I think that the world needs movies like this. So, I feel very grateful to be able to make them for whoever needs them right now.

JWK: I definitely agree with you. I think what’s been wrong about Hollywood for several years is that so much of it has been so dark in tone. There’s nothing wrong with feel-good entertainment. I think people actually need it.

RF: Absolutely, John! That is very much how I feel. I hope we never stop making these movies because there is definitely a place in the world for them.

JWK: What’s next for you?

RF: I actually have two movies on Pure Flix that are part of a (ahem) royal enterprise and I would love to do a third one. I’ve been talking with (Great American Media CEO) Bill Abbott a little bit, just saying “Hey, Bill. Can we please to a third movie?” So, fingers crossed that we could see those characters maybe have a royal wedding. That would make me very, very happy.

JWK: You’re talking about the two Royal in Paradise movies. Why not make it trilogy, right?

RF: Exactly! Yeah!

JWK: Beyond that, what do you see yourself doing in the future?

RF: Honestly, I don’t know, John. I’ll go wherever I do. I have this sort of faith that whatever is meant to be will be. So, I do my best in every audition that comes through. I trust that if it’s meant to be mine it will be. So, I’m happy go wherever the wind takes me, so to speak.

JWK: Is there anything you’d like to say as we wrap up?

RF: I think I would just like to share that I really hope that people enjoy this movie. It was an absolute pleasure to make it. I think there really is something in it for everyone. I know it’s a little bit of a Valentine’s Day special. If you’ve got a partner it’s great to watch it with your partner. It’s also a great movie to watch with your family. There is also a storyline of , you know, “I can do it on my own.” So, if you’re doing Valentine’s Day solo this year – which I am – there’s definitely something in their for the solo viewer as well.
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The making of The Unbreakable Boy. From the makers of the recent hit The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, The Unbreakable Boy (in theaters February 21st) tells the true story of parents, played by Zachary Levi (Shazam!) and Meghann Fahy (The White Lotus) who learn that their son is both autistic and has brittle bone disease. As they worry about his future, they learn from his unbreakable spirit to find joy, gratitude, and courage even in the most trying times.

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Courtesy Prime Video

John W. Kennedy is a writer, producer and media development consultant specializing in television and movie projects that uphold positive timeless values, including trust in God.