Gerard Butler: Mother Teresa Award to Real Life ‘Machine Gun Preacher’

INDIA WEST
By A Staff Reporter
Oct 27, 2013

Activist Sam Childers (l), seen with Gerard Butler, the actor who played him in “Machine Gun Preacher,” will travel to Mumbai Oct. 27 to accept a humanitarian award from the Harmony Foundation.

SAN LEANDRO, Calif., United States

The Mother Teresa Memorial International Award for Social Justice will be presented to Sam Childers, the so-called “Machine Gun Preacher” whose life was made into a Hollywood film starring Gerard Butler.

Childers will travel to Mumbai to receive the award Oct. 27, according to a press release.



“Machine Gun Preacher” (2011) is an action-filled biopic about Childers, a former gang biker turned preacher and defender of African orphans. The movie, released in 2011 by Relativity Media, was based on Childers’ book “Another Man’s War.”

A letter from Dr. Abraham Mathai, president of the Harmony Foundation, reads: “The award is to be bestowed for Mr. Childers’ devotion, commitment and dedication to lead armed rescue missions directly into the territory of the atrocious Lord’s Resistance Army in Northern Uganda, which has resulted in the rescue of over 1,000 abducted children.


Read more at http://www.indiawest.com/news/14547-mother-teresa-award-to-real-life-machine-gun-preacher.html#X3XlawRfdH1TWPWg.99

Gerard Butler - THIS IS SPARTA!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N--A-eUHCA
(SLOW NEWS DAY)

Gerard Butler: Gerard Butler's 'Dracula' Audition: See The Scary Tape (VIDEO) Posted: 07/06/2012 10:16 am Updated: 07/06/2012 10:20 am

Can't seem to see this enough -





Today from the annals of the internet: A super scary Gerard Butler trying out for the role of Dracula, in "Dracula 2000," which was released in the year 2000. Looks like the past 12 years have been nice to the actor, no? The film was written and directed by Patrick Lussier and also starred Christopher Plummer, Omar Epps, Collen Fitzpatrick, Jeri Ryan and Jennifer Esposito. They all survived working with Butler.

READ MORE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/06/gerard-butler-dracula-audition-tape-video_n_1653886.html

Gerard Butler, Iran film 'Septembers of Shiraz' gains heat (LA TIMES) By Steven Zeitchik July 2, 2012, 6:17 p.m.

This post has been corrected. Please see bottom for details.

EXCLUSIVE: When we saw Gerard Butler on the big screen in the fall, he was flying off to a world trouble spot in"Machine Gun Preacher," in which he played a real-life missionary-cum-mercenary in the Sudan.

Get ready for another fact-based period story, also set in a far-flung international hotspot, from Butler, who this time around will be involved as a producer.

Butler is gaining momentum in Hollywood for "The Septembers of Shiraz," the movie version of Dalia Sofer’s well-regarded debut novel from a few years back. The project recently signed up a director, the Brazilian Heitor Dhalia (the coming-of-age tale “Adrift,” the recent thriller “Gone”), according to a person familiar with the project who was not authorized to talk about it publicly. The film will be based on a script by Hanna Weg, who also wrote the upcoming action thriller ”The Bricklayer” for Butler. Casting is underway, with the film expected to lock down its leads in the coming weeks.

Though Butler will serve only in a producerial capacity, the film counts heavy involvement from the actor's camp. Also producing are Alan Siegel and Danielle Robinson, who work closely with Butler at his production company (Siegel first optioned the book), as well as Heidi Jo Markel, who is collaborating with Butler on his upcoming romantic dramedy “Playing the Field” and his White House thriller "Olympus Has Fallen."

Inspired by Sofer’s own experiences, “Shiraz” tells of a young Jewish girl in Iran whose life is thrown into disarray shortly after the 1979 revolution, when her wealthy jeweler father is brutally jailed. The father calls many in the shah’s inner circle associates, a fact that doesn't exactly sit well with the newly anointed Ayatollah Khomeini and the Revolutionary Guards under his command.

READ MORE: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-septembers-of-shiraz-film-20120702,0,4597398.story

Gerard Butler's Six Pack is back (CELEBRITY GOSSIP)

http://celebrity-gossip.net/celebrity-news/video/sntv-gerards-6-pack-back

Gerard Butler: Med Center Stud Posted Thursday June 7, 2012 12:23 PM GMT (CELEBRITY GOSSIP)

Even super-studly actors need to maintain their health, and Gerard Butler was spotted paying a visit to his physician yesterday (June 6).

The “PS: I Love You” hunk looked like he’d received a clean bill of health as he exited his doctor’s building with a big smile on his face.

READ MORE: http://celebrity-gossip.net/gerard-butler/gerard-butler-med-center-stud-656271

Gerard Butler spotted getting cosy with mystery girl (Z NEWS)

Los Angeles: ‘PS I Love You’ star Gerard Butler was seen getting cosy with a mystery brunette at a night club.

 The 42-year-old actor reached the place with his two male friends, but later he was joined by the woman at a private table tucked in the back of the venue, reported a website.

 "They were attached at the hip and had their attention on one another all night," a source said.

 "I`m not sure where his friends wandered off to, but this mystery brunette definitely had his full attention as Gerard stayed by her side the entire time he was at his table. "They were flirting and dancing to the DJs," another source said.

 Though enjoying his time at the club, Butler, who recently completed a rehab stint, stayed away from alcohol.


http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/redhot/gerard-butler-spotted-getting-cosy-with-mystery-girl_110439.htm

Details of Gerard Butler's Cozy Night Out With Mystery Brunette (ACESHOWBIZ)

Gerard Butler is living up to his ladies man reputation. A month after rumors of his affair with a married model emerged, the Milo Boyd of "The Bounty Hunter" star was alleged to have got cozy with a mystery brunette at a Hollywood hotspot. Details of the night out are slowly unraveled by the media.

According to E! Online, the 42-year-old actor hit the Agency night club at around 1 A.M. on Tuesday, April 24. Accompanied by two male friends, he made his way in through the back VIP entrance. Once inside, he was joined by the woman at a private table tucked in the back of the venue. One source said, "They were attached at the hip and had their attention on one another all night."

READ MORE:  http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00050069.html

Gerard Butler: Night Out At The Lakers Game (CELEBRITY GOSSIP.NET)

He’s always up for a sporty evening, and last night (April 22) Gerard Butler was in the house for the Los Angeles Lakers basketball game. The “Machine Gun Preacher” stud sat court side and looked to be enjoying the Lakers cheerleaders as they pranced around during a timeout.

READ MORE:  http://celebrity-gossip.net/gerard-butler/gerard-butler-night-out-lakers-game-610784

Gerard Butler: Farmers Market Lunch With Parents (JUST JARED)

Gerard Butler leaves Farmers Market after having lunch with his parents on Tuesday (March 20) in Los Angeles. The 42-year-old actor dined at an outdoor table and took a phone call in between bites.

FOR MANY MORE PICTURES:  http://www.justjared.com/photo-gallery/2640745/gerard-butler-farmers-market-lunch-03/

Gerard Butler homewrecked some woman’s marriage & now he won’t return her calls (CELEBITCHY)

(He takes a great picture though)

"Gerard Butler is a HOMEWRECKER. Shout it from the rooftops. Create t-shirts to publicly pledge your allegiance to the wronged party. Slut-shame The Butler!!! According to Radar, Gerard Butler was sleeping with a married woman last year, and his Scottish dong was the reason why this lady filed for divorce. Scottish dong ruins everything (trust me), especially when the dong is being medicated with a steady stream of painkillers and coke (allegedly). This woman sounds kind of naïve, though. Pre-rehab, The Butler was friends with this lady AND her husband, and then Gerry seduced the woman and she was all, “I’m going to leave my husband for The Butler, because he is my soulmate.” And then she found out about how Gerry trolls for strange ALL THE TIME."




READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE FROM CELEBITCHY:http://www.celebitchy.com/214596/gerard_butler_homewrecked_some_womans_marriage_now_he_wont_return_her_calls/  

Gerard Butler's Steamy Affair With Married Star Revealed! (E.)

BY REBECCA MERRIMAN
ON MARCH 12, 2012

Gerard Butler had a sexy affair with a very high profile Hollywood actress and model that led to her divorce. According to RadarOnline the saucy Scottish actor carried on an affair with the woman in question for months behind her husband’s back.

Though the publication does not confirm the name of the woman, it does confirm that the model turned actress later divorced her husband in the hope that she could be with the ‘300’ star. A source revealed: "It was a very intense relationship. She had very strong feelings for Gerard, despite the fact that she was a newlywed at the time.”

“They would exchange heated text messages, emails and phone calls. She would drop anything to be with Gerard. The two would hook-up at his hotel when he was in Los Angeles." Scottish actor alleged saucy antics led to divorce...

READ MORE:  http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/71473/Gerard-Butlers-Steamy-Affair-With-Married-Star-Revealed-

Gerard Butler shows he is winning addiction battle as he mingles with fans in Beverly Hills (MAIL ON LINE)

V for Victory! By MIKE LARKIN PUBLISHED: 18:48 EST, 10 March 2012 | UPDATED: 20:07 EST, 10 March 2012

"It was only a few weeks ago Gerard Butler emerged from rehab after being treated for addiction to prescription painkillers.

"And perhaps the Bounty Hunter star was giving a signal that he had won his substance abuse battle as he was spotted on an outing to Beverly Hills yesterday. He gave Winston Churchill's famous V for Victory sign as he enjoyed some downtime in the upmarket area of Los Angeles with a friend.

"Of course it could just be the trendy actor was giving a peace sign, as he was certainly giving out plenty of free love to starstruck fans as he pranced around. The Machine Gun Preacher star was even spotted showing a small group a video on his mobile phone after he stopped for a chat outside a cafe. The notorious ladies man would surely have been extra keen to be friendly, given the fact a pretty lady was enjoying a refreshment at the table. It was recently announced Gerard, 42, will be replacing Eric Bana in the upcoming diamond heist thriller Brilliant. The move will see him reunite him with The Ugly Truth director Robert Luketic.


Read the rest:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2113116/Gerard-Butler-shows-winning-addiction-battle-mingles-fans-Beverly-Hills.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Gerard Butler: Machine Gun Preacher

Quick review: Machine Gun Preacher ***

Barry Ronge | 23 January, 2012 07:33

Gerard Butler (R) poses with Sam Childers at the premiere of 'Machine Gun Preacher' in Beverly Hills
Image by: MARIO ANZUONI / REUTERS

Set in America and Uganda, but shot largely in South Africa, this is the true story of Sam Childers (Gerard Butler), who lived a life of violent crime.

The death of a buddy led Childers to undergo a Christian conversion and he became a solid citizen for a few years.

After hearing a sermon from a missionary, he decided to travel to the Sudan, with a team of helpers, to re-build villages, schools and churches for victims who had suffered under the brutality of the Lord's Resistance Army, a ruthless militia. But as soon as Childers built them, the rebels burned them down.

To read more:http://www.timeslive.co.za/entertainment/movies/2012/01/23/quick-review-machine-gun-preacher 

Gerard Butler heats up the red carpet at the Golden Globes (Accidental Sexiness)

ByRosy

– January 15, 2012Posted in: Fashion

He may not have been nominated this year, but that doesn’t mean he can’t win “best dressed male” at the Golden Globes! The 42-year-old star of Machine Gun Preacher was photographed on the red carpet at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, January 15th, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California.

Salvatore Ferragamo created the striking tuxedo but the Scotsman really gave it life.

Butler has legions of dedicated fans willing to do nearly anything to get close to him, even following him into a public restroom! If you think that is the worst part, you must know that said fan demanded he recite lines from his famous film 300.

I hope none of you out there that I know as Gerry fans would resort to such methods!

http://www.accidentalsexiness.com/2012/01/15/gerard-butler-heats-red-carpet-golden-globes/

These revellers got a festive thrill as they partied with Machine Gun Preacher star Gerard Butler at Glasgow's Sugar Cube club. (The Scottish Sun)

Gerard Butler’s a machine fun preacher

Cube celeb ... Gerard Butler at the Glasgow nightspot

By ANNABELLE LOVE

Published: 29 Dec 2011

YULE never guess who we just bumped into...

These revellers got a festive thrill as they partied with Machine Gun Preacher star Gerard Butler at Glasgow's Sugar Cube club.

Hollywood hunk Butler, 42, was on a Christmas night out with fellow Scots actor Tony Curran, also 42, when he posed for snaps on Tuesday. One onlooker said: "He was very friendly with everyone, and spent time chatting to a couple of the girls."
It's Butler, at your service.

Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/4025232/Gerard-Butlers-a-machine-fun-preacher.html#ixzz1hyhGMhhi

Gerard Butler doing okay after surfing accident (The Celebrity Cafe)

12/21/2011       

Deborah Kim

 

Actor Gerard Butler arriving at the 'Machine Gun Preacher' premiere at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences on September 21, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. Philip Vaughan

Peter West/Ace Pictures/Fotoglif

Gerard Butler is one of the hunkiest men in Hollywood. After all, he did suffer two accidental gun shots to the head while filming Machine Gun Preacher, a freakishly high wave won’t get him down.

E! Online reported the Ugly Truth actor got into an accident while filming a movie about surfing in Northern California.

He was at Mavericks, which is known for powerful, stories-high waves, on the set of Of Men and Mavericks with professional surfers Greg Long, Zach Wormhoudt and Peter Mel on Sunday.

According to the Asssociated Press, all four men were in the water trying to avoid 15-foot waves when a much larger wave formed in front of them.

The 42-year-old actor was underwater for two waves before he was washed through some rocks and pulled out by a safety patrolman.

Wormhoudt told reporters Butler was a little shocked by the accident but suffered no serious injuries. However, he was taken to Stanford Medical Center for further examination and released shortly after.

He reportedly had little surfing experience and was told what to do in situations like the one he experienced.

“Everything he was doing was within reason,” Wormhoudt said. “We took like four to five pretty big waves on the head. Basically there’s nothing you can do. It was intense for myself, and I’ve been through a lot out there.”

Now that he’s okay, Butler’s probably earned a few high fives and street cred from the pros.


http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/gerard-butler-doing-ok-after-surfing-accident-12-20-2011-0

'Machine Gun Preacher' - Believable Drama with a Strong Message: Silicon India

Silicon India

ByIANS, Sunday, 11 December 2011, 20:23 Hrs

Film: "Machine Gun Preacher"; Cast: Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan, Michael Shannon; Director: Marc Forster; Rating.

Often we see such bad things that it shakes us strongly. But we turn our backs convincing ourselves that it is someone else's problem. "Machine Gun Preacher" is a true story of a 'sinner' who refused to walk away after his eyes were opened and thus changed things.

After realising the error of his ways, drug peddler Sam Childers (Gerard Butler) turns to Jesus and sorts himself out. A few years later on a trip to Sudan, he is appalled by killings that leave thousands orphaned. He tries to help. When his honest attempts are thwarted, he refuses to give up and picks up a gun.

Guns hiding behind Bibles and Korans have made the world a dangerous place. Director Marc Forster thankfully refuses to lose his way in the rhetoric of Christianity to create a compelling, believable drama which focuses on an individual and what he can do to change things.

He paints the transformation of a man and provides those who want to help a template for their own transformation and for bringing change in the world.

We often encounter big problems. Sadly, we get so overwhelmed by their enormity that we don't even attempt change. After all, how much can you do? Sam Childers answers this question: do whatever little you can. But, do it.

In a scene that can be easily missed, Sam sees a lot of kids sleeping on the ground outside and tries to take them to his room. When reminded that he can't take all, he says he will take as many as he can. All the problems of the world can be solved if all of us could cultivate this attitude - help and do as much you can.

The larger problems of humanity can make for compelling drama. Yet, most creators of art, cinema and literature choose not to even attempt it. They run after little pointless stories with beautiful but often useless metaphors. "Machine Gun Preacher", an action film in the typical Hollywood mould that also packs in a caring heart with good writing and direction, gives such films a tight slap.

Hence, besides writer Jason Keller and the director, credit also goes to people like producer Gerard Butler to have believed in a story that needed to be told and for saying it the way it is. That it is true, helps to reinforce the urgency of action.

The film has an even pace and builds the transformation of Sam very well. Yet, where it scores over many others in the genre, is in not ending with just this. It goes beyond and explores Sam's character, and how he loses sight of his faith in the onslaught of uncaring souls till a second transformation finally purges him.

The film is relevant in the Indian context as well. What's happening in Africa is also the story of India's tribal hinterlands.

Those of you who have seen photos of the 644 burnt villages in Chhattisgarh will see an uncanny resemblance with similar scenes in the film. Perhaps burnt villages look the same everywhere. And so does poverty. The poor are expendable everywhere. Yet, the most relevant point is, would you shake up your rust and do even a bit of what Sam Childers continues to do?

http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/Machine_Gun_Preacher__Believable_Drama_with_a_Strong_Message-nid-100219-cid-50.html

Gerard Butler: Machine Gun Preacher: Movie Review

Renuka VyavahareRenuka Vyavahare, TNN | Dec 8, 2011, 09.50PM IST

Cast: Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan, Michael Shannon Director: Marc Forster Genre: Biopic/ war

Machine Gun Preacher showcases one man's journey from hooliganism to humanitarianism.

Machine Gun Preacher is a biopic on Sam Childers, an outlaw biker who amended his errant lifestyle and eventually became the gun bearing messiah for the children of war-torn South Sudan, Africa.

Sam (Gerard Butler) an outlaw biker, drowns himself in drugs and alcohol when he's not in prison serving for drug dealing and other criminal charges. He prefers his wife do the striptease for better income than take up some low paying dignified job.

The hooliganism however comes to a sudden standstill when he realizes he's gone way too far. He takes to Jesus and the church lands him in Sudan where he finds himself staring at the loss of innocent lives in the war-torn barren land of Africa.

Finding redemption in the process of saving innocent lives, Sam not only lets go of his indecent ways but also takes an active part in the Sudan People's Liberation movement.

From a white supremacist who beats up the blacks, to the father who devotes his life for the well being of the Sudanese orphans over his own, the film takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride.

You end up asking yourself, how far can you go to help someone who may not survive to see another day!

Directed by Mark Forster, Machine Gun Preacher is uplifting and depressing at the same time. War, bloodshed, poverty, apathetic society turning a blind eye to those in dire need...the film leaves you with a heavy heart. It makes you want to google Sam Childers and tell him how ashamed you are for not knowing about his fight in Africa, for not thinking beyond your regular petty worries.

The cinematic depiction of the bloody atrocities committed on the Sudanese kids by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) is brutally real. It makes you cringe in horror. The film will also remind you a lot of Edward Norton's American History X.

Gerard Butler bares absolutely no physical resemblance to Sam but nevertheless gets into the skin of his character with aplomb. The film revolves around him and just like Sam he single-handedly takes control and holds our attention in the otherwise long docudrama. His body language, mannerisms, glance, psychological unrest speaks volumes of how talented an actor he is. One wonders why someone would waste him in moronic romcoms like The Bounty Hunter! Michael Shannon as Sam's best friend and fellow druggie Donnie impresses too.

Machine Gun Preacher is about preaching and practicing philanthropy. Intense and disturbing, it's a must watch provided you are not too faint hearted.

Verdict: Very Good

Times of India

Gerard Butler: Sudanese children sung chorus for Machine Gun Preacher

Hindustan TimesMumbai, December 07, 2011

First Published: 15:35 IST(7/12/2011)
Last Updated: 15:50 IST(7/12/2011)

Actor Gerard Butler attends a gala screening for the film Machine Gun Preacher during the Toronto International Film Festival.

 

Machine Gun Preacher, a biopic starring Gerard Butler, that is set to release soon, talks about the life of Sam Childers, a former junkie and biker who turned his life around and became a messiah for many Sudanese orphans.

Apparently, Childers, whose life the film is based on, as a special request, asked for a song to be added to the soundtrack of the film. Recorded by the Australian musician Aaron Hendra, it’s called One Man’s War..., which is the name of Childers’ book as well.

The song ends with a chorus sung by the 300 Sudanese children now living at Childers' orphanage.

For the song, Aaron went to Africa and spent over a week with the children that Childers rescued. The Australian musician feels that the song is a brilliant piece of work and will leave a lasting impression on people’s hearts.

 

Unfortunately the song did not make it to the official movie soundtrack released on iTunes but is available on YouTube.

The released compilation consists of some great tracks from Asche and Spencer (Monster’s Ball) accompanied by a 60-piece Slovak National Symphony Orchestra.

The symphony was recorded in a historic facility outside Vienna, Austria, in the town of Bratislava and was conducted by Vladimir Martinka. The soundtrack also features the song The keeper... by Chris Cornell.

 

Hindustan Times