’90 Minutes in Heaven’ to Support Charities Around the World
Inspiring movie opens nationwide this weekend, gives portion of profits to Lifewater.
Giving Films’ new release, 90 Minutes in Heaven, opens today across the country. The feature-length film chronicles the events surrounding the tragic death and miraculous rehabilitation of Don Piper, who was pronounced dead after an auto accident but came back to life. Profits from ticket sales will be donated to charities making a difference around the world, including Lifewater International, which is working to bring safe water and sanitation to vulnerable families in Africa and Asia.
The movie, starring Hayden Christensen (Star Wars, American Heist) and Kate Bosworth (Superman Returns, Blue Crush), appears in over 100 theaters nationwide beginning Friday, September 11th. The two-hour drama (PG-13) is based on Don Piper’s New York Times bestselling book “90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life,” released in 2004. The book has sold over 6.5 million copies and has been translated into 46 languages.
Piper endured a horrible car crash in 1989 and was killed instantly. Soon afterward, a pastor traveling down the same road felt compelled to pray for the victim of the accident, and after ninety minutes, Piper began to breathe again. Because of his injuries, Don Piper endured 13 months of hospitalization and 34 surgeries, but eventually recovered from the accident to tell his story of answered prayer, miracles, overcoming tragedy and loss, and the reality of Heaven.
Giving Films offers those attending, downloading, or buying DVDs of the movie to choose which charity it will support with their purchase by visiting GivingFilms.com after watching.
“Giving Films was created to tell great stories that invite people into conversation around life, faith, and relationships, while bringing hope by donating all our profits to organizations making a positive impact in the world,” says Harrison Powell, VP of Development at Giving Films and a Co-Producer of the film. “Lifewater was clearly one of those organizations. We were really impressed with Lifewater’s mission, standard of excellence, and history in making a positive impact.”
Lifewater has been serving the rural poor with safe water since 1977, helping over 2.5 million people in 40 countries gain access to sustainable sources of clean drinking water. Today Lifewater works in the remote areas of Africa and Asia reaching the unreached and underserved with life-saving safe water, improved sanitation, and hygiene education. Last year alone, Lifewater helped over 50,000 people in places like Uganda, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“We are grateful for any opportunity to help more vulnerable children and families, but this partnership with Giving Films is special because the people helping us serve through their ticket purchases are doing so because they’ve been inspired by another great story,” says Lifewater’s President/CEO Justin Narducci. “It’s humbling to see how one person’s story can affect so many others’ stories, and that’s exactly what we’re trying to encourage – doing whatever you can to help your neighbor, even if they are far away.”
To find a theater where 90 Minutes in Heaven is playing and to buy tickets (including group sales), visit http://90minutesinheaventhemovie.com/theaters. Anyone buying tickets, downloading the movie online, or ordering a DVD is encouraged to go to GivingFilms.com after watching to select a charity whose work they will support through the film’s profits.
Lifewater International is a non-profit Christian water development organization dedicated to effectively serving vulnerable children and families by partnering with underserved communities to overcome water poverty. With experience in more than 40 countries since 1977, Lifewater serves people of all faiths, focusing on contextually appropriate water sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) development. For more information, contact Christine Zurbach (czurbach@lifewater.org) or visit www.lifewater.org. Lifewater International is based in San Luis Obispo, CA.