Amy Schaffert on the Health Ranger Report: The making of "17 Miles" and the vision of Brighteon Films

By kevinhughes // 2025-04-18

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The movie "17 Miles," directed by Bob Denney and produced by Brighteon Films, challenges prevailing narratives on illegal immigration and human trafficking at the U.S.-Mexico border – offering a stark, truthful portrayal of the crisis.
Amy Schaffert and her daughter portray a mother-and-daughter tandem exploited by traffickers, highlighting the film's mission to expose the harsh realities and advocate for human dignity and God's creation.
Despite a modest budget of $58,000, the film is a powerful testament to passion and conviction, featuring a dedicated cast including Michael Yon, Ann Vandersteel and Sheriff Richard Mack.
"17 Miles" stands in contrast to mainstream Hollywood's often sanitized and politically correct content, providing viewers with authentic, pro-human stories that address critical, often ignored issues.
The film aims to fund future projects from Brighteon Films, continuing the production of pro-human, pro-Christian content and supporting a broader vision of free speech and human values.

In a world where media often serves as a conduit for divisive and anti-human narratives, the independent film "17 Miles" stands out as a beacon of truth and humanity. Directed by Bob Denney and produced by Brighteon Films, this groundbreaking feature film is set to challenge the prevailing narratives surrounding illegal immigration and the human trafficking crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. "17 Miles" star Amy Schaffert sat down with the Health Ranger Mike Adams to discuss the film's powerful message and the broader mission of Brighteon Films. The movie is a dramatic reenactment of the harrowing journey of individuals crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. The film sheds light on the often-overlooked realities of the border crisis, where migrants are frequently exploited by cartels and NGOs [non-governmental organizations]. Schaffert and her daughter play a mother and daughter who are taken advantage of by traffickers, highlighting the dark underbelly of the border situation. (Related: HUMAN TRAFFICKING: Mexican cartels offer $15,000 VIP border crossing packages to migrants trying to get into the U.S. via tunnels.) Outside acting, Schaffert is the founder of In the Field with Amy, a platform advocating for sustainable farming and local food systems. She shared her motivations for taking on this role, telling Adams that "the culture we live in is anti-human." According to Schaffert, it is important to shine a light on the realities of what is happening at the border. She added that the film is a call to action and a way to fight for God's creation and the world He wants humanity to have.

The power of a low-budget film that challenges Hollywood's narrative

Despite a modest budget of $58,000, "17 Miles" is a testament to the power of passion and conviction. Denney – who wears two hats as writer and director – and his team managed to create a compelling and authentic film with minimal resources. "It's not a high-budget film, but it's a film of passion and love for humanity," Adams emphasized. The film's cast – including Schaffert, Michael Yon, Ann Vandersteel and Sheriff Richard Mack – brought their roles to life with dedication and authenticity, driven by a shared belief in the film's message. The film stands in stark contrast to the often sanitized and politically correct narratives perpetuated by mainstream Hollywood. "People are starving for content that is not woke or anti-human," noted Schaffert. "They want their children to have access to things that are true." The film's release is timely, as it addresses issues that are often ignored or misrepresented in the media, such as the spread of diseases like tuberculosis through the open border. "17 Miles" was released in May 2024, with its proceeds going toward funding the next project from Brighteon Films. The studio aims to produce more films that are pro-truth, pro-Christian and pro-human.

Beyond the screen: The vision of Brighteon

The success of "17 Miles" is just the beginning of Brighteon's broader vision. Adams and his team are committed to building a platform that promotes free speech, human values and decentralized technology. They are currently developing advanced AI models that will be released for free, open-source and non-commercial use. These models, trained on a vast array of content, will serve as powerful tools for preserving and disseminating human knowledge. During the interview, Schaffert also discussed the potential for collaboration between Brighteon and the homeschooling community. "We are looking for a homeschooling organization that would let us have access to their entire curriculum," Adams said of this potential partnership. The Health Ranger added that Brighteon's AI models will be trained on faith-based, Christian content to ensure that true knowledge is preserved and accessible to everyone. "17 Miles" is more than just a film; it is a movement. It challenges the status quo; sheds light on critical issues and offers a glimmer of hope in a world often shrouded in darkness. As Schaffert and Adams emphasized, the power of truth and human connection can overcome even the most daunting challenges. By supporting "17 Miles" and the mission of Brighteon Films, viewers can be part of a larger effort to create a more just and humane world. Follow Trafficking.news for more news about the human trafficking happening in America's southern border. Watch the full interview between Amy Schaffert of "17 Miles" and the Health Ranger Mike Adams below. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

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The power of a low-budget film that challenges Hollywood's narrative

Beyond the screen: The vision of Brighteon

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