Release Date: July 7, 2015
Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 79 minutes
The value of a single child’s life is the central idea behind the moving and powerful documentary THE DROP BOX, the story of a man who conceived a simple yet profound way to save abandoned babies.
Every year, hundreds of newborns – some with birth defects, others simply unwanted – are abandoned in the alleys of Seoul and throughout South Korea, often by desperate single young mothers unable to care for them. THE DROP BOX tells the story of Lee Jong-rak, a pastor who has dedicated his life to embracing and protecting these children deemed undesirable and unlovable.
The film is a story of hope and a celebration of a simple reality: Every human life is sacred and worthy of love. An award-winning feature-length documentary from Virgil Films, THE DROP BOX was released as a huge event across the U.S. for three nights only on March 3, 4 and 5, 2015, and grossed a remarkable $3.3 million.
The directorial debut of Brian Ivie, THE DROP BOX tells the inspirational story of Pastor Lee and how he came up with the idea of installing a drop box on the side of his home bearing the simple words “Place to leave babies.” The large lighted and heated metal box has a thick towel on the bottom, and a bell signals the pastor or his wife inside when a baby has been placed in it.
Director Ivie was a University of Southern California student who was moved to make the film after reading an article about Pastor Lee’s mission. Ivie went to South Korea and saw the workings of this ad hoc orphanage up close – a life-changing event for the filmmaker, who said he became a Christian while making the film.
One day, when I turned on the TV, I found a young man named Brian Ivie sitting on the couch of The View talking about his documentary, The Drop Box. I had heard of the documentary before once or twice but I hadn’t had the opportunity to look into it so my attention was grabbed immediately and I’m so glad it was. The Drop Box is one of the most captivating and emotionally gripping documentaries I have seen in a long time. Right away, I connected with Brian’s vision for the documentary and loved how his voice and passion shone through in every shot. I was taken aback by the enormity of the situation he took on to shed light on and was moved to tears welling in my eyes a number of times.
What Pastor Lee and his community of people are doing for babies that are abandoned at his church… the selflessness, the unconditional love, the drive to do whatever it takes to keep these babies alive, healthy (in more ways than one), and loved will strike such a chord in you, oh man. This documentary, this journey of Pastor Lee’s shook my core and I am so glad that it did. I personally have never had the desire to have my own kids but I’ve always looked at adoption as an option but now more than ever can I definitely see being a foster parent in my future. I know that documentaries can fire people up to take action and this one, this one has really done a number on me in solidifying what’s been stirring in my spirit and I am so, so thankful for this. So thankful.
I’m not sure what The Drop Box will do for you but I know that it is a must see documentary. We all know that babies are abandoned every single day but to see how one person has used good against evil, you won’t look at your life the same. You just won’t. You will see all of the ways in which you can help others and be challenged from that day forward to be the positive mark or an even bigger positive mark that this world needs. What an awfully alarming and disturbing predicament that Pastor Lee has opened himself up to in order to love those who were neglected. Even more beautiful is knowing that the film’s director became a Christian while filming this documentary. What a life changing journey Brian has been on and what an honor it is to be able to see how it all unfolded. If there’s one documentary you see this summer, let it be The Drop Box.
Also Appearing in this Feature:
President & CEO of Focus on the Family, Jim Daly
Crisis Pregnancy Center in South Korea, Min Hwang
Producers, Will Tober & Bryce Komae
VP Community Outreach of Focus on the Family, Kelly Rosati
* Panel + Musical Performance by Steven Curtis Chapman (21:30 minutes) This feature begins with a Q&A between President & CEO of Focus on the Family, Jim Daly and Director, Brian Ivie before bringing out singer/songwriter, Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth to join them on a panel and detail their testimony as well as Show Hope and finally bringing out VP Community Outreach of Focus on the Family, Kelly Rosati to discuss Wait No More. I hadn’t previously heard of Show Hope, Focus on the Family, or Wait No More so this was so great to have come to my attention as one day in the far future, I’d love to become a foster parent and these links might lead me somewhere special when the time is right. Anyway, the panel lasts for about sixteen minutes before Steven gives a touching musical performance of “Meant to Be.” Absolutely beautiful. If you loved the documentary, this feature is definitely worth your time.
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