'A PARENT'S WORST NIGHTMARE' AWAKES THE TOPIC OF CHILD TRAFFICKING
Official movie poster center. Insets, at left, Kristy Swanson, Dean Cain, below, Sophie Bolen, Courtney Mathews. Right, Karen and Grover McCants.
▶ BY KRISTEN COLLIER
How apropos that Joel Paul Reisig’s Worst Nightmare came to life on Friday the 13th. Because this young father, an incredibly prolific filmmaker of over 30 films, and owner of the film financing and distribution company Be Your Own Hollywood, witnessed the premiere of his feature film that reveals every parents’ worst nightmare: having your child fall prey to trafficking.
The hard-hitting movie A Parent’s Worst Nightmare stars fan favorites Dean Cain (also in Faith Under Fire) and Kristy Swanson (Detective Lassiter’s main squeeze on Psych. But also in a little movie called Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.) Not to mention Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and of course Swanson/Cain fans will recognize them from many Hallmark movies. (How we love those Swanson/Cain pairings.)
But not every movie can be a Cake-walk. When Cain and Swanson are forced to tackle tough issues like human trafficking, they can depend on writers like Reisig and George P. Saunders, with the chops to reach the mainstream, as they do with A Parent’s Worst Nightmare. This is “a powerful story...based on true stories of children who’ve been kidnapped for the underground sex slave industry,” the film’s IMDb description reads in part. “This is a raw look into what they go through and is not for the squeamish.”
This mainstream movie is packed with a powerful array of Christian individuals and organizations connected in myriad ways.
CM asked associate producer Courtney Mathews, also lead actress in Christmas Coupon (December 2019, Crystal Creek Media), and casting director, as well as Dean Cain’s assistant for Worst Nightmare, how this film affected her as a mother.
“It impacted me majorly as a mother with four children. Knowing how easy it is for kids to be taken, by simple tactics such as social media, where kids and teens tend to spend a lot of their time, it has me on high-alert, knowing what I know now about sex trafficking.”
In the spirit of life imitating art, real life spouses Grover and Karen McCants, an administrator at Wayne County Community College District, and also in the crime drama White Boy Rick, play Pastor Brown and his better half in this film.
“The movie had unity,” Karen McCants told CM. “The director made everybody feel special.” She also said, “The cast was great.”
CM asked Grover McCants, who was in ATL Homicide with Amy Sutherland, and who plays the fire chief in Faith Under Fire, how this movie impacted him as a father and grandfather.
“Bringing the character of Pastor Brown to life was a passionate journey, channeling my fatherly instincts to the role," McCants said. "I am honored to be able to contribute to A Parent’s Worst Nightmare. Sex trafficking is everyone’s problem and it is an epidemic.”
“I think God was instrumental in bringing one of the victims to me, without giving the story line away, I will leave it there,” he added. “As a father of two young ladies, and grandfather of another young lady, this story was very personal and emotional for me. In faith you must believe that example you set, and lessons you taught your children, transfer to sound decisions when you are not with them. Faith gives you confidence that all will be well, no matter the situation.”
God is extremely important to McCants, who is also the president of Hollingsworth McCants Media Group.
“I was raised in the AME (African Methodist Episcopalian) Church," McCants said. "My mother played the organ and was the choir director. My faith is very important to me, playing a huge role in my life. I communicate with God as if he is with me all the time. It is a great feeling to have.”
But sometimes you have to experience immense pain in order to help others (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). In fact, very rarely can you help others without first going through the Fire yourself.
Probably few have experienced this issue vicariously as has Sophie Bolen (Rodeo Girl, The Horse Dancer), the tormented face of the movie’s poster. Bolen, co-owner of Inspire Talent Group, LLC, told CM, “A Parent’s Worst Nightmare was a very difficult movie to film. It isn’t just a make-believe story, this is real life to so many people.”
These, and the rest of the cast and crew, are hard at work in this fight against such a PUTRID STAIN on the soul of humanity.
CM knows there are no coincidences, so when we heard filmmaker Reisig recently cast beloved former child star, Corey Feldman (The Lost Boys, Gremlins, Dream A Little Dream), in his 13: Fanboy film, a Friday the 13th homage by Reisig and Deborah Voorhees, with Feldman being such a vociferous child advocate, we could not help but see God’s Hand in this. Since we’ve been praying hard for Feldman for years, as mentioned on the Keeping Up With the Christians live stream with Generation Courage owner and Faith Under Fire producer, Melissa Kerley, we will up the prayers that one day the extremely talented Feldman will find a home in more Michigan produced films. Because we know how good the people of Michigan are. Salt-of-the-earth.
Considering that McCants said, “The role of a leader/mentor and supportive shoulder to lean on in a trying and difficult time is what faith requires of us, being there for each other,” CM has no doubt Reisig had great opportunity to encourage Feldman, via his experience with A Parent’s Worst Nightmare.
McCants expressed his gratitude toward the filmmaker “for giving me the opportunity to help fulfill his vision of this crucial topic.” He also said playing a fire chief “brought me to a place every little boy wants, and aspires to be. It was an honor to be a part of such an important effort. I thank Generation Courage, Melissa, and Joel for trusting me to deliver this character to the screen.” McCants also called the Northville Fire Dept., where some scenes were shot, “accommodating and professional.”
Young lead actress, Bolen, said, “I believe that God loves all people and that he is for everyone. I love to show God’s unconditional love through mediums of storytelling.”
She also had an emotionally challenging role in Reisig’s Rodeo Girl, which also stars Kevin Sorbo and Sherryl Despres (Amanda and the Fox, Horse Camp). On the surface this appears to be about a spoiled rich girl. The heart of the story is actually about a young teen being the bigger person than her betraying parents are, in willing to forgive them. Her great, courageous heart, expressed through her pain, is essential to the benefit and healing of them all.
Which is the prayer for Feldman and A Parent’s Worst Nighmare, that all who’ve come out the other side of abuse be healed on many levels this side of eternity.
“If A Parent’s Worst Nightmare can just help one person,” Bolen said, “it will all be worth it.”
Organizations like the Sanctum House, “a safe home for survivors of human trafficking,” per the Royal Oak, MI based organization’s website, are in the battle against trafficking and are the recipient of all proceeds from the movie’s premiere Friday, September 13 at Emagine Theatres, in Novi MI.
A voluntary residential program that helps women “heal and rebuild their lives,” the Sanctum House has powerful Christian allies helping them fight this evil.
“It is horrifying to know how many women are trafficked and forcibly put through the unimaginable,” Bolen said.
But there is a way to fight back.
“This film is a great way to familiarize yourself with the warning signs of human trafficking. If you see something, say something.”
If you see something, say something.
Out of the mouths of babes. From her lips to God’s ears.
To those guilty of this sin, this warning: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven” (Mt. 18:10).
It would be better for you to have a large millstone hung around your neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea (Mt. 18:6).
How apropos that Joel Paul Reisig’s Worst Nightmare came to life on Friday the 13th. Because this young father, an incredibly prolific filmmaker of over 30 films, and owner of the film financing and distribution company Be Your Own Hollywood, witnessed the premiere of his feature film that reveals every parents’ worst nightmare: having your child fall prey to trafficking.
The hard-hitting movie A Parent’s Worst Nightmare stars fan favorites Dean Cain (also in Faith Under Fire) and Kristy Swanson (Detective Lassiter’s main squeeze on Psych. But also in a little movie called Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.) Not to mention Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and of course Swanson/Cain fans will recognize them from many Hallmark movies. (How we love those Swanson/Cain pairings.)
But not every movie can be a Cake-walk. When Cain and Swanson are forced to tackle tough issues like human trafficking, they can depend on writers like Reisig and George P. Saunders, with the chops to reach the mainstream, as they do with A Parent’s Worst Nightmare. This is “a powerful story...based on true stories of children who’ve been kidnapped for the underground sex slave industry,” the film’s IMDb description reads in part. “This is a raw look into what they go through and is not for the squeamish.”
This mainstream movie is packed with a powerful array of Christian individuals and organizations connected in myriad ways.
CM asked associate producer Courtney Mathews, also lead actress in Christmas Coupon (December 2019, Crystal Creek Media), and casting director, as well as Dean Cain’s assistant for Worst Nightmare, how this film affected her as a mother.
“It impacted me majorly as a mother with four children. Knowing how easy it is for kids to be taken, by simple tactics such as social media, where kids and teens tend to spend a lot of their time, it has me on high-alert, knowing what I know now about sex trafficking.”
In the spirit of life imitating art, real life spouses Grover and Karen McCants, an administrator at Wayne County Community College District, and also in the crime drama White Boy Rick, play Pastor Brown and his better half in this film.
“The movie had unity,” Karen McCants told CM. “The director made everybody feel special.” She also said, “The cast was great.”
CM asked Grover McCants, who was in ATL Homicide with Amy Sutherland, and who plays the fire chief in Faith Under Fire, how this movie impacted him as a father and grandfather.
“Bringing the character of Pastor Brown to life was a passionate journey, channeling my fatherly instincts to the role," McCants said. "I am honored to be able to contribute to A Parent’s Worst Nightmare. Sex trafficking is everyone’s problem and it is an epidemic.”
“I think God was instrumental in bringing one of the victims to me, without giving the story line away, I will leave it there,” he added. “As a father of two young ladies, and grandfather of another young lady, this story was very personal and emotional for me. In faith you must believe that example you set, and lessons you taught your children, transfer to sound decisions when you are not with them. Faith gives you confidence that all will be well, no matter the situation.”
God is extremely important to McCants, who is also the president of Hollingsworth McCants Media Group.
“I was raised in the AME (African Methodist Episcopalian) Church," McCants said. "My mother played the organ and was the choir director. My faith is very important to me, playing a huge role in my life. I communicate with God as if he is with me all the time. It is a great feeling to have.”
But sometimes you have to experience immense pain in order to help others (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). In fact, very rarely can you help others without first going through the Fire yourself.
Probably few have experienced this issue vicariously as has Sophie Bolen (Rodeo Girl, The Horse Dancer), the tormented face of the movie’s poster. Bolen, co-owner of Inspire Talent Group, LLC, told CM, “A Parent’s Worst Nightmare was a very difficult movie to film. It isn’t just a make-believe story, this is real life to so many people.”
These, and the rest of the cast and crew, are hard at work in this fight against such a PUTRID STAIN on the soul of humanity.
CM knows there are no coincidences, so when we heard filmmaker Reisig recently cast beloved former child star, Corey Feldman (The Lost Boys, Gremlins, Dream A Little Dream), in his 13: Fanboy film, a Friday the 13th homage by Reisig and Deborah Voorhees, with Feldman being such a vociferous child advocate, we could not help but see God’s Hand in this. Since we’ve been praying hard for Feldman for years, as mentioned on the Keeping Up With the Christians live stream with Generation Courage owner and Faith Under Fire producer, Melissa Kerley, we will up the prayers that one day the extremely talented Feldman will find a home in more Michigan produced films. Because we know how good the people of Michigan are. Salt-of-the-earth.
Considering that McCants said, “The role of a leader/mentor and supportive shoulder to lean on in a trying and difficult time is what faith requires of us, being there for each other,” CM has no doubt Reisig had great opportunity to encourage Feldman, via his experience with A Parent’s Worst Nightmare.
McCants expressed his gratitude toward the filmmaker “for giving me the opportunity to help fulfill his vision of this crucial topic.” He also said playing a fire chief “brought me to a place every little boy wants, and aspires to be. It was an honor to be a part of such an important effort. I thank Generation Courage, Melissa, and Joel for trusting me to deliver this character to the screen.” McCants also called the Northville Fire Dept., where some scenes were shot, “accommodating and professional.”
Young lead actress, Bolen, said, “I believe that God loves all people and that he is for everyone. I love to show God’s unconditional love through mediums of storytelling.”
She also had an emotionally challenging role in Reisig’s Rodeo Girl, which also stars Kevin Sorbo and Sherryl Despres (Amanda and the Fox, Horse Camp). On the surface this appears to be about a spoiled rich girl. The heart of the story is actually about a young teen being the bigger person than her betraying parents are, in willing to forgive them. Her great, courageous heart, expressed through her pain, is essential to the benefit and healing of them all.
Which is the prayer for Feldman and A Parent’s Worst Nighmare, that all who’ve come out the other side of abuse be healed on many levels this side of eternity.
“If A Parent’s Worst Nightmare can just help one person,” Bolen said, “it will all be worth it.”
Organizations like the Sanctum House, “a safe home for survivors of human trafficking,” per the Royal Oak, MI based organization’s website, are in the battle against trafficking and are the recipient of all proceeds from the movie’s premiere Friday, September 13 at Emagine Theatres, in Novi MI.
A voluntary residential program that helps women “heal and rebuild their lives,” the Sanctum House has powerful Christian allies helping them fight this evil.
“It is horrifying to know how many women are trafficked and forcibly put through the unimaginable,” Bolen said.
But there is a way to fight back.
“This film is a great way to familiarize yourself with the warning signs of human trafficking. If you see something, say something.”
If you see something, say something.
Out of the mouths of babes. From her lips to God’s ears.
To those guilty of this sin, this warning: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven” (Mt. 18:10).
It would be better for you to have a large millstone hung around your neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea (Mt. 18:6).
