What one word describes your high school years? Fun, carefree, happy? Adventurous or
idealistic? Perhaps, restless or even rebellious?
Now in theaters, BRAVE THE DARK is based on Nate Deen’s true story of high school in
Lancaster County, Pa. Nate’s one word for high school: “desperate.”
Nate, a co-writer of BRAVE THE DARK, joined director Derek Dienner and host Rick Altizer on
the Faith Film Fan Podcast to talk about the movie.
“BRAVE THE DARK is my story, a true story about when I was in high school and in desperate
need of help,” Nate says. “That help came from an unlikely source, my English teacher. He
helped me through a very hard time in my life. It’s a story of hope and redemption, and the
small things, the small acts of kindness, which can end up turning into really big, amazing
things.”
Based on an inspiring true story, BRAVE THE DARK portrays the transformation of Stan Deen, a
1980’s small-town teacher who is drawn into the mysterious past of a student arrested outside
his classroom. Long believing no student is a lost cause, Mr. Deen discovers the profound and
direct impact he can have on another life.
“I was the son that Stan never had, and he was the father that I so desperately needed,” Nate
says. “He offered me something at a time that I needed it the most.”
Also highlighted in this podcast is director Derek Dienner’s battle with cancer.
“Being 31 years old and facing colon cancer, it’s not an easy journey at all,” he says. “Everything
stopped and nothing else mattered. I felt like it opened up my eyes to a new world of
thankfulness.”
Be sure to listen to or watch the full FFF Podcast episode about BRAVE THE DARK with Nate,
Derek, and Rick. LISTEN HERE
And let us know which teacher made a difference in your high school years.
