Executive Director/Producer Daniel Nuckols in March described his pending motion picture “More than Conquerors” as a four-year “providence from God,” which has now reached the filming stage in Brownwood.
Arriving in the fall of 2021, Nuckols and his company Nicol Films took over a portion of a local warehouse where sets were constructed and costumes designed. And this week, scenes are being filmed through Friday before the production moves to Virginia later this year.
Back in March, Nuckols described the “More than Conquerors” as “a faith based film on Romans 8 and in that chapter Paul talks about being more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ. My goal as a writer and director is to show that the worst that life can throw at you, if you’re in Christ Jesus you can rise above and be more than a conqueror in and through Him. We know Christ Jesus died and he rose again, death couldn’t even defeat Him. He was the ultimate conqueror. He defeated sin, death, disease. If one has faith in Him, you’re more than a conqueror. You may suffer from COVID, there may be wars, there may be riots in the street over racism, but in and through Jesus Christ you can become more than a conqueror and that’s the message we want to spread. There’s hope in Him.
“The sub-theme will be the topic of racism where in 1619 some of the first African slaves came to the American colonies. We want to show what it’s like between ethnic people groups and that there can be unity between nations in Christ Jesus. We’re facing war in our world, but in Christ Jesus there can be that peace, but it has to be in Him. It’s not in us. And that’s the heart of the film, where we’re going.
The story is set in 1622 in Jamestown, Virginia colony. The protagonist is a young woman who is going to the new world to be reunited with her father and her mother. There’s an event that happens, a tragedy that just shakes her world where she has to reckon with what suffering is. More than that, we want to show the reality of suffering but also go beyond that and get real answers like why it exists, and how you can be more than a conqueror in it through those events. There’s also a love story where there’s a pastor whose an Irishman who was actually enslaved by the Barbary pirates, so there’s also a theme of slavery and freedom.”
Renowned cinematographer James Burgess, a veteran based out of Dallas with 37 previous films to his credit dating to 2000, has been secured to oversee the production. Among the movies he is most known for being associated with include Bad Men Must Bleed, Pulled from Darkness and Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell.
Jessica Munger and her husband Eric, from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, are unit production managers and first assistant directors on “More than Conquerors.”
“Our family is excited. They’re in Christian films and have been making them for a long time, and now we’re getting into films,” Munger said. “We help with budgeting, make sure the talent is here, and make sure everything is running smoothly. Movie making can be stressful but it’s fun, it’s like a community. Something we’ve realized is that the outside world just stops. You’re so focused on this and you have to turn off your cell phones. It’s interesting how so many people from different parts around the United States can come together and have a vision and make it happen. There’s a lot of different moving parts.”
As for the local hospitality those associated with the movie have received, Munger said, “Everybody here is so nice. Every time we meet someone they are super nice and that’s been a constant thing across the board. It’s really cool actually.”
May resident Joe Dennis, a member of the Lyric Theatre Board of Directors, played a significant role in the sets being constructed, and also landed a part in the film as he will portray Richard Pace when filming moves to Virginia.
“I’ve done a lot of theater, but I’ve never been involved with a film before,” Dennis said. “The theater professor at Howard Payne, Nick Ewen, contacted me and asked if I was interested in helping out. He connected me with Dan, who gave me a call and asked if I would help. I was praying for a way to serve God, expand my service, when Dan called me. I got to help pick up the set and bring it here and put it together and I’ll also have a role.”
Dennis, a retired Air Force colonel who moved from Washington, D.C. to Brown County a decade ago, never dreamed a day would come where movie scenes were shot in Brownwood.
“Brownwood is a small town and this is the last thing I expected to see when I moved here from Washington D.C.,” Dennis said. “It’s a film with good morals and good values, which I really appreciate. A lot of good people came together for this.”
Actresses Kristin Mathis and Sophia Marie Hart are among those in Brownwood this week for production. This is the first feature film for both actresses, who have previous experience in stage acting.
Mathis, a native of Tennessee, said, “It’s been great getting to do this, to get the experience, learn more about the industry and work on my skills going forward to hopefully make this more of a career move.”
Hart, who was born in Washington state but now resides in Virginia after growing up in a military family, added, “Learning this aspect of acting versus stage acting, it’s so different. I like getting this experience, and it’s good to grow your faith, too.”
“It’s a love story but it also has themes of redemption and overcoming your circumstances through faith,” Mathis said in regard to the movie’s plot. “It’s got romance as well, but we can’t tell all. But it’s off to a great start so far.”
Regarding what they’ve enjoyed most about filming in Brownwood this week, Mathis said, “getting to know the cast and crew,” while Hart chimed in, “I just love being in the sets. The sets are amazing. They’re so elaborate and beautiful. It really gets me in character. The cast and crew are also amazing.”
As for their thoughts on Brownwood, Hart said, “It has a small town feel. Even the locals will feed us.” Mathis added, “It’s adorable, very cute, very charming.”
Additional behind-the-scenes footage of “More than Conquerors” can be found on the Nicol Film YouTube Channel, including clips of the actresses sharing their thoughts on the film.
“It’s a wonderful character,” Mathis said of playing Susanna Atwood. “I’m so excited to get to know her and to bring her character to life. I’m excited about the story which is set in the Virginia colonies and it’s about the different trials and hardships they faced their lives and overcoming them in Christ and finding joy. That’s a message that’s still needed and applicable today.”
Hart, who plays Susanna’s cousin Becca, added, “This film is so special because it really shows how God works all things together for His glory. Through the trials and tribulations of life, if we remain faithful to Him there will be blessing.”
Munger stated the most rewarding aspect of working on “More Than Conquerors” is, “the fact that we can tell a story about God’s redemption and what we can go through and come out on the other side of and see it on film. What we’ve seen so far is really amazing. It’s very, very high quality. The story’s been told well and we’re looking forward to doing the next part.”
Distribution of the movie is set for 2023. More information about the movie can be found at www.MTCthemovie.com.
Pictured below are more scenes from filming earlier this week:
