Finding the right soundtrack for a faith-based film is a common challenge for independent studios. Music shapes the emotional core of a story, yet many productions struggle to secure rights to recognizable, era-specific songs that resonate with audiences. When a film focuses on a specific time period, the music must match the culture of that decade while supporting the core message of the script.
Joe Sanders, Executive Producer at Intrigue Films, found a direct answer to this problem for their upcoming movie, “Beyond Belief.” By partnering with the iconic 80s Christian rock band Petra, Intrigue Films integrated a four-time Grammy-winning catalog into their narrative. In this interview, Sanders discusses the process of building a film around legendary music, the vision behind Intrigue Films, and what audiences can expect from this new project.
Q: How did this partnership between Intrigue Films and Petra first develop?
Joe Sanders: It really started when we realized there had never really been a faith-based movie set in the ’80s. I loved that idea, and if we were going to do it, I wanted a rocking ’80s soundtrack to go with it. So I started listening to everything—DeGarmo & Key, REZ, Stryper and, of course, Petra. But I just kept coming back to “Beyond Belief.” I must have listened to that song a thousand times. Finally, I went to the team and said, “Not only do I think this is the best song of the era, I think this is what our movie is about.” And then I said, “I wonder if Petra would be interested in working with us on this movie?” So I called Bob Hartman and basically said, “I’m not calling from Hollywood, I don’t have any money, but I’ve got this idea.” Thankfully, he listened. And the rest is history.
Q: “Beyond Belief” centers on Andy, a teenager chasing stardom while dealing with personal loss. How does Petra’s music specifically drive this narrative forward?
Joe Sanders: Petra’s music is really the soundtrack of Andy’s childhood, just like it was for so many kids who grew up in the ’80s. He loves the band, he wants to be like them, and that music is just part of his world. But as Andy’s life changes and he begins dealing with loss and trying to understand where God is leading him, those songs start to mean something more. The words he’s been listening to his whole life suddenly become personal. That’s what I love about the way we use Petra’s music in the film. It’s not just an ’80s soundtrack—it grows with Andy and becomes part of his journey.
Q: Intrigue Films focuses on creating cinematic experiences rooted in biblical themes. Why did you choose the 1980s as the setting to tell this specific story of faith?
Joe Sanders: Honestly, we just thought it would be a lot of fun. There really hadn’t been a faith-based movie set in the ’80s, and it’s such a great era for a movie—the music, the clothes, the arcades, everything. But it also gave us an opportunity to tell a faith story in a different way. There are no cell phones, no social media, no Google. When Andy is searching for answers, he actually has to search for them. And at the heart of Beyond Belief is this idea of hearing God’s voice, trusting it and having the courage to follow it. The ’80s gave us this really fun world to tell a story that is ultimately timeless.
Q: You cast Carson Lueders in the lead role. How does bringing in a modern artist and influencer help bridge the gap between classic 80s rock and today’s younger audience?
Joe Sanders: Carson was really a gift from God. He got the script, loved it and agreed to do the movie. Honestly, when we started this, we never thought we’d get an actor with his talent or his celebrity to play the lead. From the beginning, we wanted Beyond Belief to be a movie that Petra fans, many of whom are now parents and grandparents, could bring their kids and grandkids to and everybody would enjoy it. Carson is a huge part of that bridge. This isn’t a Petra biopic—which, by the way, would be amazing and their story probably deserves to be on screen. This is a family movie that happens to have Petra and their music woven throughout it. And now, because of Carson, there’s an opportunity for an entirely new generation to hear that music, maybe for the first time.
Q: Petra has sold over ten million records, but this is the first time their music anchors a feature film. What was the reaction from founders Bob Hartman and John Schlitt when you pitched the idea?
Joe Sanders: Honestly, I don’t think they thought much of the idea at first. LOL. I think they believed in me, but I’m not sure they ever really thought, “Yeah, this guy is actually going to make this movie.” But I will say this about Bob and John—their commitment to making themselves and their music available as a ministry tool is something they have never wavered on. From the very beginning, they were willing to let us dream big with this. And as the movie went from an idea, to actually shooting it, to now being released in theaters across the country, they’ve been there every step of the way. That says a lot about who they are and why Petra’s music has continued to impact people for more than 50 years.
Q: Looking at the current landscape of independent filmmaking, how does Intrigue Films plan to continue blending high-quality production with faith-driven messages in future projects?
Joe Sanders: We want to make great movies. It really is that simple. I don’t think audiences should have to choose between a movie that is entertaining and a movie that says something about faith. You can do both. Beyond Belief is a family movie. It’s fun, it has great music, it has heart, but underneath all of that it has something very real to say about faith, purpose and listening when God calls you to something. That’s what we want to keep doing at Intrigue. We want to tell stories that people genuinely want to watch, that feel cinematic and entertaining, but that aren’t afraid to say something meaningful. We learned a lot making Beyond Belief, and this is just the beginning for us.
Music and storytelling share a natural connection, especially when addressing themes of faith and identity. The collaboration between Intrigue Films and Petra shows that independent studios can successfully integrate major musical catalogs into their narratives. By building “Beyond Belief” around established, culturally significant rock anthems, the production team created a natural bridge between older fans of the band and a new generation of viewers.
Faith-based cinema continues to grow, and audiences increasingly expect high production values alongside strong messages. Intrigue Films demonstrates a clear model for meeting these expectations. As more studios look for ways to connect with viewers, using authentic, era-specific music will remain a highly effective approach to storytelling.
To learn more visit https://beyondbelief.movie/
Explore the film’s press kit here to learn more about the film.
