Picturehouse Acquires Nicholas Ma’s ‘Leap of Faith’ Documentary

As a cinema devotee who has witnessed my fair share of thought-provoking documentaries and heartwarming narratives, I find myself eagerly anticipating “Leap of Faith.” The film’s focus on fostering understanding, empathy, and love amidst contentious issues resonates deeply with me, especially given the current social climate.


Picturehouse has revealed that they’ve purchased the rights to distribute Nicholas Ma’s documentary titled “Leap of Faith” in its entirety.

Starting October 4, Picturehouse is launching a nationwide release of the movie, collaborating with various organizations across the country for discussions related to the film. Notably, the movie will also include live appearances by cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Nicholas’ father, in St. Louis, Washington D.C., and Boston.

2016 saw one out of every six individuals ceasing communication with a family member, and the situation has only worsened since then. Navigating love amidst disagreements can be challenging. Over the span of twelve months, a group of diverse Christian leaders embark on a journey to find unity and camaraderie at a sequence of groundbreaking retreats in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Guided by Michael Gulker of The Colossian Forum, five women and seven men delve into some of the most divisive issues prevalent today. As their differences surface and strain both their shared conviction in the paramount importance of compassion and empathy and the connections they forge throughout the year, these leaders grapple with finding common ground.

“Yo-Yo Ma expressed that ‘Leap of Faith’ inspired him to make a similar step. He decided to confront challenging discussions, aiming to mend the splits within our communities, and explore ways to embody the essential commandment: love your neighbor as yourself.”

Nicholas Ma explained, “My father taught me that music and art has the ability to transcend our very human divisions. It’s with that in mind that I set out on the journey to make this film. After making this film, I’d add faith to that list, faith pursued sincerely and lovingly.”

The movie is made by Ma and his co-producer Morgan Neville, who has directed “20 Feet From Stardom” and “Steve (Martin!): A Documentary in Two Pieces.” Previously, Nicholas Ma and Neville collaborated on the 2018 documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor.” (Paraphrased)

“‘Leap of Faith’ is set to astound viewers due to its striking contemporary resonance,” commented Bob Berney, CEO of Picturehouse. “Witnessing this movie in a cinema alongside others promises to spark fresh discussions, hopefully ones that persist beyond the final closing of the film’s credits.”

According to Director Nicholas Ma, the process of filming this tale made it evident that instead of swapping places, it was crucial to understand each other more truthfully and compassionately. This, in turn, led to learning to accept and belong to one another. At first, I doubted if this could be accomplished, and I wasn’t prepared for the narrative to unfold as it did. However, gradually, I realized that space which separates us all transformed from a symbol of division into an opportunity for connection.

As a passionate cinephile, I had the privilege of witnessing the remarkable premiere of my first directorial venture, “Mabel,” at the prestigious San Francisco Film Festival earlier this year. The reception was overwhelmingly favorable!

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2024-08-27 19:48