Jan 21 2025 27 mins
In this episode of the Faith Film Fan Podcast, host Rick Altizer sits down with Derek Dienner (Producer) and Nathaniel Deen (Subject of the Film / Producer) to discuss their powerful new movie, Brave the Dark, hitting theaters on January 24. Together, they explore the incredible journey of turning Nate’s story into an inspiring film, diving deep into the creative process and the heart behind the project.
This rare opportunity offers listeners a chance to hear directly from the person whose life inspired the movie, as Nate shares his personal perspective. Rick also delves into both Derek’s and Nate’s faith journeys over the years and how that had an impact on the film.
Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at Brave the Dark and be sure to catch it in theaters starting January 24!
Watch the trailer, get tickets and more at faithfilmfan.com.
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About Brave the Dark: When Mr. Deen (Jared Harris, Chernobyl, The Crown) discovers one of his students has been living out of his car and thrown into jail, he decides to bail him out. Determined to curb Nate’s self-destructive behavior, Mr. Deen quickly discovers a host of dark secrets that are slowly tearing Nate apart. What started as a good deed becomes a desperate fight to save Nate from his own demons. As Nate spirals deeper into despair, Mr. Deen must decide how far he’s willing to go to save a kid on the brink of losing everything—even himself.
About Derek Dienner: Derek Dienner is the founder and executive producer of MAKE/FILMS, a Lancaster-based production company known for commercials, Emmy-nominated documentaries, and feature films like Brave the Dark, starring Jared Harris. Diagnosed with stage III colon cancer at 31, Derek chronicled his journey in the award-winning short documentary The Day I Became Alive, showcasing his resilience and inspiring others. Passionate about storytelling and community impact, he also hosts the MAKE/IMPACT podcast, fostering meaningful conversations. Through his work and personal life, Derek is dedicated to creating positive change, leading both his family of four and his company with a focus on connection, love, and acceptance.
About Nathaniel Deen: Nathaniel Deen is a filmmaker and arts advocate based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with over 30 years of experience at Sight & Sound Theatres in roles like Staff Photographer and Associate Film Producer. Now self-employed, Nathaniel has contributed to notable projects, including I Heard the Bells and Brave the Dark, the latter being a deeply personal film he wrote and produced, inspired by his journey of overcoming adversity through the transformative support of a devoted teacher, Stan Deen. In a heartfelt tribute, Nathaniel and his wife Jessica adopted the surname Deen in 2018 to honor Stan’s profound impact on their lives. He also founded The Stan Deen Foundation, which empowers underprivileged youth through arts and education, embodying the compassion and resilience that have defined his journey.