Christians often think of Hollywood as a spiritually dark space, but God’s light is present there.

In fact, there has been a growing demand for faith-driven films in recent years as Christian filmmakers answer the call to be salt and light in the industry.

“(The uptick in Christian content) started with community-based movies that some would say preach to the choir, but that was needed as Christians were a huge untapped market,” said Rachel Tan, a film producer in Hollywood.

The former Miss Malaysia added that Christians were looking for content that reflected their values: inspiring, clean films they could watch with their families.

Rachel runs Kingstreet Pictures together with her husband, Dan Mark. The couple, who are also entertainment lawyers, are based in Los Angeles.

As pioneers in Asian-American content with a faith slant, the couple’s path is not an easy one.

“Every day is like a battlefield in the entertainment industry,” said Rachel. “But God orchestrated our move into this space and has been with us every step of the way.”

When fame and wealth did not satisfy

Though they were born into Christian families, the couple shared that their faith only became real in their twenties.

“I experienced sudden fame, being the first Malaysian to win the Miss Chinese International Pageant and signing with the Jackie Chan Group. When the company suddenly folded, God was steadfast,” she said.

As film producers in the US, Dan and Rachel face daily challenges in living out their faith, especially because so many in the industry have been hurt by the Church or those who profess to be believers.

Dan, on the other hand, was moved to faith after witnessing the passing of a close cousin from an aggressive form of cancer.

“Despite not being able to speak, having his tongue removed and a hole in his neck, I saw him have unshakeable joy in his salvation and relationship with Jesus,” he recounted.

At the time, Dan was enjoying the glitzy life of a high-flying lawyer.

Yet, it struck him that he had nothing while his cousin, who had been stripped of his health, future, and life, seemed to have everything.

“That’s when I turned the keys of my life to Jesus for good. It was in that period of personal revival in both our lives, when our hearts were 100% after the Lord, that Rachel and I met,” he said.

Together, they started an international testimony ministry on social media, OurWitness, and eventually got married.

Bringing God’s love into films

The step into film production came naturally for Dan and Rachel.

As they gave advice on legal matters in entertainment, clients began consulting them on the business aspects of production and even the script.

In 2016, the couple established Kingstreet Pictures and donned new hats as producers, with the desire to elevate Asian Americans and advance godly values through their work.

“I think God orchestrated this very well for us. It wasn’t that we were thinking of the market, but more so of us being authentic to who we are,” Rachel said.

Not all of their projects are faith-based, but every project is grounded in values of kindness, redemption, healing and restoration, they said.

“These are the values we hope to bring into the world,” said Rachel, noting that the entertainment industry has been getting darker in its content.

Flipping the narrative from darkness to hope

There was a time when narratives on being lost and broken were in trend. But that did not sit right with Rachel and Dan.

“We don’t have to stay (in our brokenness), because Jesus redeems us and gives us beauty for our ashes. When you reach your low, there’s hope for you. That’s the hope of glory,” Rachel said with conviction.

Each of their movies carry a redemptive thread. Their latest project, Sight, which was released earlier this year, traces the journey of Dr Ming Wang as he went from an impoverished prodigy to a renowned eye surgeon.

Sight, a biopic tracing the life and work of renowned eye surgeon Dr Ming Wang, was released in Singapore by Shaw on August 1, 2024.

The biopic, which stars Terry Chen and Greg Kinnear, has since received a 74% critics rating and 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

“(The numbers show that) thankfully we’re not alone – there’s a growing movement that’s changing content now and redemptive stories are starting to gain traction,” she said, encouraging believers to champion the types of films they want to see by buying cinema tickets or watching them on streaming platforms.

Actions speak louder than words

As Asians, Rachel and Dan are part of a minority in Hollywood.

Being the only woman on the producing team, Rachel often has to fight to have her voice heard. Rejection is a common experience in the industry, but they continue to trust in God’s sovereignty.

“When it is yours, it will be yours. God will open doors that no man can shut. But you need closed doors to find the right path,” Dan shared.

(From left to right) Rachel, actor Terry Chen and Dan on the red carpet launch of Sight.

Living as followers of Jesus Christ also presents its own challenges.

“Living out our faith is a daily struggle because, at least in America, many people have been hurt by the Church or by family members whose actions didn’t align with their professed faith,” Dan acknowledged.

Yet, the couple believes that in both their work and daily lives, Christ will be glorified through their faithfulness to Him.

“I remember one of the lead actors in one of our films said it was the kindest movie shoot she had ever experienced – and she’s been in the industry for years,” Rachel shared.

To them, this is proof that the Holy Spirit guides their projects and that God’s presence permeates every step of their journey.

Doing the work of prayer

Looking ahead, the couple remain committed to elevating Asian-American talent and bringing talent from the East to Hollywood.

Their next project, Worth the Wait, is a rom-com featuring Lana Condor, Ross Butler, Andrew Koji, Karena Lam and Sung Kang.

The film is set to be a warm, heartfelt exploration of long-distance and cross-cultural relationships, loosely inspired by Rachel and Dan’s own story.

Last year, Rachel and Dan were in Kuala Lumpur with the crew and production team to shoot Worth the Wait, an upcoming rom-com inspired by their own love story.

Though it’s been 10 years since they first stepped into the role of producers, they know there are still mountains to climb and opposition to face as they shine God’s light in a notoriously secular industry.

Yet, they trust that God will gently guide them to where He wants them to be and what He wants them to do.

“We can’t help but be ourselves and be drawn to stories that reflect our own journey. We want to create content that carries goodness and kindness, with God’s heart in it,” Rachel shared.

Actress Elodie Yung (left) in conversation with Rachel and Dan on the set of Worth the Wait.

They also acknowledge the reality of spiritual warfare.

“Any time you disrupt territory for good, you will face opposition. That’s why it’s so important to be armed with prayer. We can’t do what we do without the prayers of so many people covering us,” Rachel said.

“And remember, you have something that sets you apart. At your right hand is the Lord your God, and if God is for you, who can be against you? Why should you be afraid? Only He dictates your steps,” Dan added.

He concluded by sharing one of their favourite verses that encourages them daily:

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

RELATED STORIES:

US-based Singaporean filmmaker makes waves globally with his faith-based movies

Two new cinemas screening “values-based” content open in Singapore

“A good story can change the world”: Filmmaker Kelvin Sng