Actor Yoshi Barrigas Testifies How Spending "Forty-Seven Days with Jesus" Changes Him

Reel Big Studios, Pinnacle Peak Pictures (God's Not Dead) and Fathom Events present the new inspirational drama Forty-Seven Days with Jesus starring The Chosen's Yoshi Barrigas and Catherine Lidstone. The film will be distributed through Fathom Events and Pinnacle Peak Pictures and will be shown in more than 800 theaters across the country for three nights only: March 11, 12 and 14, getting audiences in the Easter spirit before the holiday weekend.

Forty-Seven Days with Jesus tells the heartwarming Easter tale centered on the Burdon family, led by Joseph (Yoshi Barrigas) and Juliana (Catherine Lidstone). When the Burdons attend a reunion at Poppa and Nonna's ranch, they realize just how disconnected their family has become. Facing marital hiccups, teenaged angst and Poppa's health hurdles, the adults decide to share Poppa's enchanting 'Forty-Seven Days' story with the kids, transporting us back in time to see the miracles of Jesus' final 47 days on Earth. When an unexpected business opportunity places Joseph at a crossroads, his commitment to his family is tested. Can the Burdons pull together in the face of uncertainty? With Poppa's tale as their guide, they embark on a journey towards unity and rediscover the true essence of walking in faith.

We are honored to be able to catch up with Yoshi Barrigas for this exclusive interview.

Q: Yoshi, thanks for doing this interview with us. Could you tell us a little about yourself and your ministry through acting?

Thank you! For as long as I can remember I had a camera in my hand. As a kid I made my very Portuguese grandparents star in a franchise of films I dubbed "Portuguese Warfare" where I put my grandmothers in a comedic rivalry.

Later I would force my friends to be in my movies. I never studied acting but when I graduated college I knew I wanted to tell stories and so I hopped in my car and drove to California and never looked back. If we are made in his image and he is the creator, then we are also creators, and we learn so much about ourselves and life through story. So I have dedicated my life to this and hope to continue to have opportunities to fine tune my instrument. The way I see it, my goal as an artist is to become a hollow flute for God to play music through. 

Q: Congratulations on your new film; what is "Forty-Seven Days with Jesus" about?

On the surface this is a story about a man who is struggling with his work life/family life balance. Upon further examination we see the teeth of survival bite my character, Joseph, who stumbles from the path of faith on to the path of fear. The question then becomes, can Joseph wake up to the error of his ways before it is too late and he loses the only thing that really matters, his family. 

Q: What first attracted you to this movie?

The ambiguity of sacrifice. How easy it is to trick ourselves into thinking we are acting selflessly when there is actually a kernel of selfishness lodged into the base of our intentions. Figuring out how to play an inherently good man who is making an honest mistake was a fun balancing act. 

Q: As you reflect again on the Easter story through this movie, how does the reality of Easter impact families who are struggling now?

There is a seasonal aspect to the film. We find this family in the dead of winter, meaning it is time for them to let parts of themselves die, so that when spring comes, they can be reborn, better versions of themselves. They learn this by reconnecting with the Easter story, which is brought to life by original songs our biblical characters sing. Our own lives and relationships are very much in an ebb and flow of seasons. It is up to us to recognize what season we are in, so we can act accordingly. 

Q: What were some of the highlights as you were making the film?

A lot of the people involved in this film were in roles they have never been in before, including myself. It provided a special spark. We became a family quickly. We all wanted to do our best work and make something unique, and this really carried us through when we were met with adversities, which we had plenty of. I was sick throughout most of the filming, and some others as well. But since our characters were struggling, it was only fitting that we didn't have it easy. We had to persist through fear and doubt, just like the people we were portraying. I think we did a great job!

Q: Why should our readers see this film?

Forty-Seven Days with Jesus is the type of movie that has a little something for every member of the family. My hope is that families walk out of the theater together feeling a little closer. 

Watch the trailer HERE.

 

Tags : Forty-Seven Days with Jesus Yoshi Barrigas Yoshi Barrigas interview The Chosen