YOUR AD HERE »

Documentary ‘The Drop Box’ showing in Vail

Pastor Lee Jong-Rak built a “baby box” in front of his church in Seoul, South Korea. It's a safe harbor to welcome abandoned babies . So far, more than 600 babies have been left in his care. A documentary film abou it is screening Tuesday-Thursday at CineBistro in Vail's Solaris.
Special to the Daily |

If You Go

What: The Drop Box

When: 7 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday

Where: CineBistro, Vail Solaris

Tickets: $12.50

Information: Arrive 30 minutes early if you want to dine. For information go to cinebistro.com/solaris.

The movie “The Drop Box” is a tale of quiet heroism, and how heroes beget heroes.

“The Drop Box” tells the story of one man’s efforts to protect and care for newborn babies who might have otherwise been abandoned on the streets of Seoul, South Korea.

Pastor Lee Jong-Rak built a “baby box” — a safe harbor to welcome and care for these babies. So far, more than 600 babies — many of whom have disabilities — have been helped. A portion of the film’s proceeds will go to support Pastor Lee’s ministry.



“It’s a movie about the value of life,” said Jason Haynes, pastor of Gracious Savior Lutheran Church.

The movie runs from Tuesday through Thursday at CineBistro in Vail’s Solaris. Showtime is 7 p.m. Get there 30 minutes early if you want to dine — and you do.

Support Local Journalism



It’s part of Cobb Theaters alternative content program, films that are not a big studio release — independent films, documentaries — things like that, said Fred Meyers, vice president of CineBistro.

Five of the seven CineBistro locations across the country are showing “The Drop Box.” The other two wanted to, Meyers said, but other theaters already had the rights.

One man’s work

Pastor Lee’s story goes something like this.

One day, he came upon a newborn who had been abandoned on a cold night in a Seoul alley. That experience prompted him to build a “baby box” at the front of his church – a warm, safe place where desperate mothers can leave babies who would otherwise be abandoned. Many of the babies who are left in Pastor Lee’s baby box have developmental or physical impediments.

Orphans everywhere

The need to care for orphans and to recognize the value of every human life isn’t limited to Korea: There are more than 150 million orphans worldwide, according to Focus on the Family, which produced the film. Babies are abandoned in every country of the world. Here in the U.S., there are about 100,000 children in foster care waiting for adoptive families, said Focus on the Family president Jim Daly.

In the last year, almost a half million Focus on the Family constituents have opened their hearts and/or homes to orphans.

“Even in the midst of a heart-wrenching situation, we see the heart of a father’s love in Pastor Lee,” Daly said. “Not everyone is called to do what he’s doing or adopting a child themselves, but all Christians are called to care for orphans. Watching this documentary changes a person. It draws you to care even more deeply for the most vulnerable among us.”

After the screening, audiences can watch a group discussion featuring the film’s director Brian Ivie; musician Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth; and Focus on the Family President Jim Daly addressing issues related to adoption, orphan care and the sanctity of human life.

The power of parables

“There’s a reason Jesus chose to teach in parables,” Daly said. “We’re drawn to compelling stories, especially those told through the power of film. Audiences will leave theaters empowered to make a difference — it happened with ‘Irreplaceable,’ and it will happen with ‘The Drop Box.’”

Director Brian Ivie graduated the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts.

“Through this movie, we’re hoping that people would see more than Christians working on behalf of orphans,” said Ivie.

“The Drop Box” won the Best of Festival award for the documentary at the 2013 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival, and earned five Doves from the Dove Foundation, its highest rating.

Staff Writer Randy Wyrick can be reached at 970-748-2935 or rwyrick@vaildaily.com.


Support Local Journalism