11th February, 2015
Unbroken, which tells the remarkable story of survival during World War II of Louis Zamperini won "best mature audience film" at Movieguide’s 23rd Annual Faith & Values Gala – known as the "Christian Oscars" by some – in the US last week.
The film, directed by Angelina Jolie, is based on Laura Hillenbrand’s 2010 book, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, and tells of how champion athlete Zamperini (played by Bafta winner Jack O’Connell), survived for 47 days on a raft after his bomber was shot down before being sent to a series of Japanese prisoner-of-war camps.
The real Zamperini, who died last year, became a Christian during a Billy Graham rally in 1949 and was known for sharing his story of faith.
Other winners at the 23rd annual awards included Heaven Is For Real – the story of four-year-old Colton Burpo who claims to have visited Heaven – which won "best family film" and was followed by Son of God – the film-length version of the story of Jesus as told in the TV series, The Bible. The $US100,000 Epiphany Prize For Movies was won by God’s Not Dead while the $100,000 Epiphany Prize for TV was won by Love Finds You in Sugarcreek.
Diogo Morgado, who played Jesus in Son of God, won the Grace Award for movies.
The night included a tribute to singer/songwriter Andraé Crouch, who died last month.
– DAVID ADAMS
