The Artist Who Knocks on Doors: An Immigrant Filmmaker's Journey of Faith and Purpose

(🎧 Audio Version) The Artist Who Knocks on Doors: An Immigrant Filmmaker's Journey of Faith and Purpose

[📖 Prefer reading? Here's the story in script format.] ⬇

(Scene: An Interview at a Film Festival. The HOST has just asked about your journey and motivations. The audience listens intently.)

Host:

Your journey sounds like it’s been full of challenges. Could you share some key moments?

You:

Well, I’m 48 now, and looking back, I realize I’ve spent a lot of time trying to figure out where to focus. I’ve always been good at many things—music, writing, drawing, sports—but I never knew where to put my energy.

For 20 years, I drifted, trying and failing. Growing up in a working-class family, the only advice I received was, “Study and work.” My parents kept warning me, “You’ll fail and end up begging on the street.” So I tried to play it safe. I didn’t realize I could combine all my talents into one big project.

It wasn’t until I packed up and moved to this country that things began to change. I didn’t have much—just a little savings and a saxophone I probably played too loudly in public.

I still remember the winter nights practicing in the park, busking on the streets to make a few extra bucks, or writing and drawing in cafés. It kept my love for music and art alive, and I found a way to survive.

Then I found my faith. I started knocking on doors with my fellow believers, and hearing people’s struggles changed me—A real-life education. I realized that, at the core, people are good, and I became less focused on my own art and more on connecting with others.

Host:

That sounds like it really shifted your perspective. What are your plans now?

You:

Keep knocking on doors.

Host:

Knocking on doors? What do you mean?

You:

I mean sharing God’s message—whether through art or by literally knocking on doors.

I know it might sound strange or uncool to say in a world dominated by science and reason, but it doesn’t matter to me anymore. I don’t want to be cool or hip. If something is right and needs to be said, I’ll be the one to say it.

My purpose now is to serve God and people. I want to create work that’s not just entertaining, but positive and uplifting.

I’ve learned that life is about more than just creating—it’s about helping others rise above their struggles.

Host:

Let’s give one last round of applause to R.T. for sharing such an inspiring message!

(The audience claps, and you bow with a humble smile.)

You:

Thank you all for your support. Thank you.

(Posted on Threads on 23.12.2024)

#ImmigrantFilmmakerJourney

"You’ll fail and end up begging on the street."