This morning I opened my inbox and had a news email telling me about the winner of the Epiphany Prize for the Most Inspiring Movie of 2008 for $100,000. I was disappointed. For the unaware (which I also was until this morning), the Epiphany Prize is given out at the Movieguide Faith and Values Awards Gala in Beverly Hills, which is sometimes, allegedly, referred to as the Christian Oscars.
The film that did win was an unsurprising and cliched choice. If you haven’t guessed by now, the winner was Fireproof.
The selection of Fireproof is particularly disappointing considering that the list of nominees included the films Gran Torino and Henry Poole is Here. In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve yet to see any of the three movies I’ve just mentioned. However, without seeing any of the films on the list, I think I can safely share my two issues.
First, having Fireproof chosen as the “Most Inspiring Movie of 2008″ helps continue to propagate movies like Fireproof. While many would probably agree that Fireproof is a step forward from the cliched, poorly plotted, horribly written, I’m-only-here-to-shove-the-Gospel-down-your-throat films, I think it’s still obvious that the “Christian Film Industry” has a long way to go. Even watching the trailers, I could see that Fireproof still fell into many of the Christian Film cliches.
Secondly, I find it in some ways sad that such an “award show” even exists. As Justin pointed out in an earlier post, Christianity Today posted a list of “Most Redeeming Films of 2008″. So why does this event need an award? Additionally, I feel it sadly propagates a stereotype that Christian or Redeeming Films aren’t good enough to win a real award at the Oscars. Instead, we create our own award ceremonies. I find it fortunate that the ceremony is fighting that stereotype with nominations of films like Gran Torino, but when Fireproof still wins, it’s hard to not see it all as a farce.
As for me, I’m not sure I can think of the most inspiring film I saw this year, but if I had to pick one that left me “inspired” it would be a 2-year-old movie I just watched on DVD this year: Lars and the Real Girl. I wonder if it was ever considered for an Epiphany.
I wasn’t at all impressed with Facing The Giants so my expectations for Fireproof was fairly low. In my opinion, Dallas Jenkins is the only Christian filmmaker putting forth an honest effort to really bring a Christian message to today’s film that non-believers might actually sit through. Midnight Clear, which came out last year, may star Hollywood’s own born-again bad boy, Steve Baldwin, but the film really tried to rise above the cliches; at least I think it did.
And if you want to see a GOOD Christian football movie, check out Jenkins’ first production Hometown Legend.
I’m impressed that Grand Torino was even nominated based on the type of award show this is. I haven’t seen Fireproof, and I won’t be seeing it. I have found myself very disappointed by “Christian” films in the past, so I avoid, avoid, avoid. To me, it just raises the question of why a film has to be labeled “Christian” anyhow. Isn’t it possible that a film can just be a good film and include positive, uplifting elements/Christian characters and still compete in traditional award shows by just being a good movie all around?
I guess I struggle with the label of Christian being applied to movies, books, and music. I think something can come from a Christian perspective without the need to have a label slapped on it, a separate award show and all sorts of limitations placed on it. Anyhow.
I haven’t seen either Facing the Giants or Fireproof so I can’t comment on them. However, I do give the church some credit in finding a way to make movies on such a tight budget and even Kirk Cameron for doing it for nothing. There is something selfless about all of this that is honorable. That doesn’t excuse the simplistic storytelling I hear it has, but that part may come.
As for “Christian Films” and the like, I’m with the CS Lewis Mentality that we probably need less Christian books and more books by Christians. As movies go, I’m more excited by the themes I saw in WALL E (a movie by a Christian) than a host of Christian films I’ve seen. Still, if you’re going to see a movie with direct spiritual point to it, check out The Second Chance. Yes, it has Michael W Smith in it, and yet he isn’t an actor, but he’s surrounded by a good story and Steve Taylor’s honesty that keeps it grounded.
Kim and Justin, I think you’ve both hit my point right on the nose (and perhaps said it better than I have). I want to see more films by Christians. I don’t need a film that tells you how to get saved at the end. How about making a film with a redeeming message that lays the burden on me to use that film to share the gospel with others? That would be a way more “Christian” film. And there are more films like that made by the secular world.