USA: Gerard Butler and Michelle Monaghan arrive in Beverly Hills for the premiere of the inspirational true-story, "Machine Gun Preacher"

Record ID: 376689

  • Title: USA: Gerard Butler and Michelle Monaghan arrive in Beverly Hills for the premiere of the inspirational true-story, "Machine Gun Preacher"
  • Date: 22nd September 2011
  • Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (SEPTEMBER 21, 2011) (REUTERS) ( ** BEWARE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **) WIDE SHOT OF THE RED CARPET GERARD BUTLER ARRIVING ON THE RED CARPET MICHELLE MONAGHAN ARRIVING ON THE RED CARPET MOVIE POSTER WITH PULL OUT TO BUTLER AND MONAGHAN CUT AWAY OF PHOTOGRAPHER SAM CHILDERS, THE PERSON WHO "MACHINE GUN PREACHER" IS BASED ON CUT AWAY OF
  • Embargoed: 7th October 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa, Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVAAK0Q4XQUVS3R5DUOQPVU3TL7Q
  • Story Text: Gerard Butler and co-star Michelle Monaghan graced the red carpet in Beverly Hills Wednesday night (September 21) for the premiere of the true-life drama, "Machine Gun Preacher."
    In the film, Butler plays ex-biker-gang member Sam Childers, who makes the life-changing decision to go to East Africa to help repair homes destroyed by civil war. Once there, he is outraged by the unspeakable horrors that are taking place in the region, especially to the younger children. Putting his own safety at risk, Childers ignores the warnings of more experienced aide workers, and breaks ground for an orphanage where it's most needed - in the middle of territory controlled by the brutal Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), a renegade militia that forces youngsters to become soldiers before they even reach their teens.
    Butler called the film powerful and said it was a project that he put everything into.
    "I gave a lot of my heart to this movie and I think this is a remarkable story," explained Butler. "It's inspiring and a great adventure. As an actor it was challenge and it means a lot. I noticed when people watch it, it has a big impact on them. That is always nice."
    Co-star Michelle Monaghan said she cognizant of the importance of the story, and the need to get it right.
    "What was most important to us is that really is just to tell this compelling story of a man who really turned his life around," said Monaghan. "And as a result, turned around the life of thousands of children and still continues to do today in Sudan."
    Sam Childers, the real life hero and basis for the film attended the premiere.
    "Just about everyone that is going to the theater is going because of Gerard Butler is in it," said Childers. "He's one of the top 10 actors, and they are going because they hear it is a true story of a man named Sam Childers. But, when they leave the theater it is not about Sam Childers, it is about you...and what you are going to do now," Childers added.
    "Machine Gun Preacher" opens in New York and Los Angeles on September 23.
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