Christmas film by Bethlehem native carries message of true beauty
Bethlehem native Jenn Gotzon didn’t have to look far for inspiration while filming the recently released Christmas movie “The Farmer and the Belle: Saving Santaland.”
“The storyline is close to my heart as it’s inspired by real-life events, including being pursued by my husband, Jim, modeling in China and being a fish-out-ofwater with the pigs, cows and chickens on Jim’s family’s farm in Chickamagua, Georgia,” says the actress. “Playing the role of Belle Winters was a look within my soul.”
“The Farmer and The Belle” which stars Gotzon and reallife husband Jim E. Chandler, follows the adventures of a famous model after she returns to her hometown and winds up falling in love with her childhood bestie, who’s now a pig farmer. The cast includes Corbin Bernsen of “L.A. Law” fame.
At its heart, “Farmer and the Belle” is a romantic comedy, but Gotzon says she was eager to include a message about the nature of true beauty.
“Since I was a little girl, I struggled with not feeling pretty enough and learned 90% of females have challenges with their body, their weight, their appearance and worth,” says Gotzon.
“This discovery launched me to create the brand, ‘The Farmer and the Belle’ with movies, books and jewelry to be a source on renewing the mind and bringing newfound hope to the viewer who may believe the same lie. If I am beautiful, then I will be loved.”
Being a mainstay in faithbased films for about a decade helped Gotzon put together a top-notch team of crew members.
“[This] is my first time producing a feature film,” says the actress, 41. “It has been a glorious experience hiring … writers, actors, producers, director, cinematographer, sound, production design, etc.
“The craftsmanship in the movie, from how the sets look to wardrobe to how the camera angles appear, are an expression of all of their talent.
“Our director Wes Llewellyn and I have been friends since I moved to Los Angeles in 2003 and he knocked it out of the ballpark. We can’t wait for
people to enjoy the movie as a family tradition to usher in the spirit of Christmas every year.”
Gotzon, who lives in the Hudson Valley of New York
with Chandler and their new baby, James, is a frequent visitor to the Lehigh Valley.
“My entire family lives in the Lehigh Valley,” says the actress. “My parents in Northampton are out in the country surrounded by cornfields. My brother Marcus and his family live 40 minutes away and my sister Shelly lives 20 minutes
away…
“And having baby James brought us home for some Grammy and Pop-pop TLC and snuggles.”
For more info on the movie, go to www.thefarmerandthebelle.net/shop.