NATCHEZ — If given the chance to save a life, could you?

A new movie showing at Natchez Mall Cinema IV offers insight into issues teenagers face and how their choices impact lives outside of their own.

The movie, “To Save a Life,” is meant to open eyes to the problems teens often silently struggle with in an effort to identify the warning signs before tragedy.

Local church groups spent the past two months working to bring the movie to Natchez by hosting two private screenings and rallying support from churches and community groups.

The movie, which opens with three showings today, tells the story of a high school-aged star athlete who seems to have a perfect life with athletic scholarship offers, popularity and a pretty girlfriend.

One act, by a former best friend, makes him start asking what he can do differently.

Edwin Samson, youth director at Crosspoint Church in Natchez, was one of a group of local youth workers who worked to bring the movie to the local theater. Samson said he and others worked tirelessly to have the movie shown in Natchez because it “is so true to life for a lot of teenagers here.”

“It is not a big blockbuster and isn’t full of special effects, but it is a touching movie because it is so real and moving,” Samson said. “When I was at different screenings, I had countless numbers of students and parents say to me ‘This is what is happening to my friend,’ or, ‘This is what is happening in my life.’”

The movie is being shown at 4:15 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9:40 p.m. today and at 1:30, 4:15 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Showings continue through the week with 4:15 and 7 p.m. showings Monday through Thursday.

The movie is rated PG-13 for mature themes including teen suicide, teen drinking, drug content, disturbing images and sexuality.

“To Save a Life” addresses suicide, teenage drinking, teenage pregnancy, popularity pressures, the impact of marital issues on children and self-mutilation in an open and frank way, Samson said.

Having the movie shown in Natchez, Samson said, was a struggle because the filmmakers were marketing it to much larger markets.

Because of the emotional content of the movie, Samson said local volunteers will be set up outside the theater, near the mall entrance, to answer questions and offer support.

For more information on showings and ticket prices contact Natchez Mall Cinema IV at 601-442-5218.