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Has a movie ever changed your life?

That's a question frequently posed by cineastes, especially those who make a habit of engaging the spiritual, moral, and philosophical issues explored at the movies. And while some might be skeptical as to whether a film could ever actually change a life, actor Eduardo Verastegui is convinced that a movie can not only change a life—it can actually save one.

Verastegui knows this from personal experience; his acclaimed movie Bella—a story of a girl with an unplanned pregnancy—has been instrumental in saving at least 40 lives … including the child of one of the movie's co-stars.

The Christian Post reports that Verastegui, researching his role in the film, went to an abortion clinic, where he was recognized by a couple who remembered him from his acting work in Mexico. Verastegui quickly found himself counseling them against going through with the abortion, using the story of Bella to illustrate his points. The couple ultimately had their child—and named it Eduardo.

The Post notes that filmmakers are "aware of some 40 babies whose mothers were contemplating abortion, but decided to keep their children as a result of seeing the film." Among these mothers: Tammy Blanchard, Bella's lead actress.

Copies of Bella are frequently donated to pregnancy resource centers, as are editions of the book Behind Bella, by author Tim Drake. Drake, a Catholic journalist, wrote the book to illuminate the true stories of babies whose lives were saved because of the movie; he calls these "Bella Babies." Says Drake, "[these stories] tell of what can happen when we say "Yes" to God. For each of these individuals who were involved with the film … this project didn't always make sense. 'Why get involved?' might have been the initial thought of a lot of these folks. But yet there was the powerful feeling that this was something that God was asking of them."

In other movie news:

Directors' Guild announces award nominations (Movie City News)
DGA honors Dark Knight, Milk, others; Wall*E's director ineligible

WGA announces award nominations (Movie City News)
Writers' guild picks Coens, Woody, Slumdog, others

Christian film festival comes to San Antonio (My San Antonio)
Fireproof, nine other films compete for large cash prize

Bishop T.D. Jakes talks about his screenplay (San Francisco Chronicle)
Talks about not being too preachy in Not Easily Broken

Chris Morris directing satire of suicide bombers (The Scotsman)
Four Lions takes aim at British jihadists; begins filming this summer

Mickey Rourke in talks to join Iron Man 2 (Hollywood Reporter)
Sam Rockwell might also join; both would play villains

Disney making 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea prequel (Variety)
Intended to be a family film, directed by McG

Two Kirks, two Vaders lend voice talents to animated Quantum Quest (Variety)
Shanter, Pine, Jones, Christensen joined by Mark Hamill, Sam Jackson

Director Peter Weir announces The Way Back (Variety)
Period piece set to star Colin Farrell, Ed Harris

Taylor Lautner on board for Twilight sequel (Variety)
Despite rumors of his replacement

Josh Brolin is Jonah Hex (Hollywood Reporter)
Milk, No Country for Old Men actor to star in new western; based on DC comic

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