He says the new movie has a message for everybody, 'as to how we forgive.' Santorum spotlights film career

Rick Santorum, in his new role as CEO of the film production company EchoLight Studios, says there’s a message for both politicians and viewers alike in the latest movie from the studio that is set to premiere this Sunday.

The movie, “The Redemption of Henry Myers,” follows the story of a Western outlaw living life on the frontier and is set to premiere on the Hallmark Movie Channel on Sunday at 9 p.m. EST.


“There’s message for everybody out there as to how we forgive? And do we forgive? And the process by which you have to go through to do that,” the former Republican presidential candidate and Pennsylvania senator said in an interview.

( PHOTOS: Santorum loves sweater vests)

As for Washington, Santorum said there is a need to be “better true tolerance in difference of opinion.”

“That the person that’s on the other side of table with you, is someone of good will who wants to see America in a better place and stronger place and that’s part of it, accepting that your opponent has good intentions not bad intentions,” Santorum said.

And while Santorum says he hasn’t “given up looking at 2016 as a possibility,” he isn’t yearning for his days on the Hill either.

“My focus right now is doing a good job with this movie company and trying to put it on the right path to be successful as a company and I don’t miss what’s going in Washington, D.C. that’s for darn sure,” Santorum said. “It’s as toxic a place I’ve seen and so it’s sort of nice to be on the outside in the private sector right now.”

( PHOTOS: Rick Santorum’s career)

Life on the beyond the beltway for Santorum is now mainly based outside of Dallas, Texas, with occasional trips to Los Angeles, where he meets with networks, such as the Hallmark Movie Channel. He said like campaigning, he traveled across the country following the November release of “The Christmas Candle,” the studio’s first film since he became CEO last June, to build up grassroots support at screenings.

The former lawmaker said the new gig helps him develop communication skills, much like another notable Republican who saw success in Hollywood.

“The whole creative process has really been a wonderful experience for me,” Santorum said. “One of the things I think is important and Ronald Reagan showed is being able to tell a good story and communicate with people on that level is a great skill to have and so this is, if you will, helping me in my other craft by maybe becoming a little better storyteller.”

( From POLITICO Magazine: Americans hate Rand Paul’s libertarianism. They just don’t know it yet.)

Santorum said there are more movies coming from the studio this year, including a documentary on religious freedom. He added that four more movies are expected to debut in 2015.

Between town halls on the trail and pitching movies to network executives, Santorum said both audiences are tough, but it comes down to what you’re trying to sell.

“If you have a good product, that helps a lot. And so we felt like we have a good product with our films and obviously I felt we have a pretty good product with me,” Santorum said.

Follow @politico

This article tagged under: Rick Santorum

Movies