Do We Really Need a Christian Film Industry?
There’s been quite a kerfuffle lately surrounding the recent comments of Movieguide’s Ted Baehr (you know, the guy and the organization responsible for that Christian movie awards show that Mike wrote about) calling for Hollywood to recognize that its failing finances require a “stimulus package” consisting of the creation of more “family-friendly, uplifting and inspiring movies.” These comments are based on some pretty shaky statistics that allegedly show that the movies that make the most money are those that revolve around “capitalism, patriotism, faith and values.”
I’m sure you can see why statements like that might have some people up in arms.
Several people and organizations have responded to this craziness, including ChristianityToday, Brett McCracken, and Jeffrey Overstreet (in which he makes the wonderful comment, “If I based my diet on what food sells best, I’d be dead in a week”).
Well, now NPR has amped up things up with this article. The story contains remarks from San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival organizer Doug Phillips. Speaking at the festival, he said:
Christian filmmaking is coming of age. Christian filmmaking is coming of age! … We’re going to have our own Steven Spielbergs. We’re going to have our own filmmakers that can tell great stories, produce tremendous films, but they’re going to be doing it with a Christian world view, and they’re not going to be embarrassed about that.
Meanwhile, many of us are indeed embarrassed, and not just by his remarks.
Once again, this has drawn reactions from ChristianityToday and Jeffrey Overstreet, both of which (along with the articles above) are worth perusing.
For anyone who has read Briner’s Roaring Lambs, it’s alarming to see this kind of separatist movement. To follow Christ’s example in dealing with culture is to engage it, not to withdraw from it or create some sort of walled off section of it. Jesus engaged culture by meeting people on familiar ground, but then turning their expectations and traditions upside-down, using their understanding of culture to then counter it in a different way to make His points and to change hearts and minds.
Sadly, the withdrawl of Christians into their own cinematic enclave is just what the world expects of us, and is not in any way countercultural. It shows others in society that what they’ve always suspected is correct–that we can’t play nicely with others, that we always have to have our way, and that we’re not satisfied unless we can shoehorn a gospel presentation into everything we do.
Of course we want to present Christ in every way possible, but that is supposed to be done by living a life that clearly imitates Him and shows genuine, relevant love, compassion, mercy, justice, and truth–things that really are countercultural, unexpected, and challenging. Instead of treating people as opportunities to add more salvation notches in some spiritual gunbelt, we need to show that we care about them as people in a way that is sometimes alien in this day and age, and then take appropriate opportunities to share the complete message when the occasion is right.
Naturally, the other side of the coin that requires caution is making sure that in all of this we’re working for God’s glory, not for our own aggrandizement or for the sake of feeling good about ourselves.
It’s a fine line to walk. It’s difficult and challenging. I don’t think, though, that God would have called us to do it if it were easy.
Anyway, the best summaries of this come from both CT and Overstreet. CT says:
Christians don’t need their “own” movie industry. Yes, Christians should make indie films, and make them really, really good. Keep honing the craft, improving the art, and telling the best stories — but learn how to do those things from the best in the business, not by creating a Christian-ese ghetto that only preaches to the choir.
And Overstreet (referring to his book Through a Screen Darkly):
That’s where I shared stories from my own life about the awful consequences that can come from such good intentions, and I also shared examples of what is possible when Christians cast off “branding” and instead glorify God with quiet excellence. If we stop focusing on creating “Christian Spielbergs” we may realize that God is already revealing himself through Spielberg himself, and that by working in the world rather than separating ourselves from it, we follow Christ’s own example.
I heartily agree. What are your thoughts?
Reader Comments
I was actually going to write something on this today, but since you beat me to it, I’ll just add to yours
A few things have jumped out at me on this, one was this quote from the NPR story:
“These Christian directors will make movies about subjects that evangelicals care about, Phillips says, the kind that were finalists at the San Antonio festival: dramas about abortion, documentaries about creationism and home schooling — and even a musical about taxation.”
Ouch.
While this is NPR’s filtering of what was happening, from the descriptions of some of the films listed in the Final Category, this message seems to be “Evangelicals care more about high taxes, homeschooling, and being right about Science than showing the story of redemption.” The stereotype of “Evangelicals as culture warriors” seems to be firmly set, even in the Final Films.
The other major thing is the “send a Message to Hollywood” line. I remember hearing it when The Omega Code, Left Behind, Veggie Tales, and The Passion came out. I think the message is sent, but it’s not the one they wanted to send: Evangelicals have money – and its yours if you market the movie right. We’ve heard the phrase “Passion Dollars” for 5 years now. Yes, there’s been Narnia, but there’s been numerous movies and companies (remember FoxFaith?) far more interested in using the church to fit their agenda. Even Rocky Balboa came with a Bible Study and Pastoral recommendations.
Still, there’s something admirable than can come from this. I want Christian filmmakers to get better at their craft. I want them to have encouragement from other believers. I want them to have constructive criticism, criticism that will not make up excuses because it is “Christian” art (I cannot remember the number of times I’ve been told “Yes the story’s simplistic and the plot is stilted, but it’s reaching people!”), but also one that will not turn up its nose because of the subject matter. I don’t want to see Christians’ films languishing in cut out bins at the local Christian bookstore and airing at 2am on TBN. I want them out in the open where they have a chance to shine or fall.
Yes, please make independent films, away from the Hollywood sheen if needed. Please encourage Christian filmmakers to address their faith in their films. But, please, don’t feel like you have to start a niche industry to make it happen. Instead of a new Christian film industry, I’d rather hear about a group of filmmakers accountable to each other — where they encourage themselves to be better in their craft. Part of that is happening here and that is good, I just hope we don’t see another alternate universe senario like in CCM, where it primarily becomes entertainment for Christians, by Christians.
Thank you for some thought-provoking material. I was following some of those links, and wow. Just wow. First of all, there is the whole issue of what exactly Christian values are. I’m sorry, I don’t think Jesus really cared that much about capitalism vs. communism. He was kinda more worried about things like, I don’t know… telling people about God? How on earth is capitalism a Christian value, and why would you even be silly enough to say that it was? Especially right now, when we are seeing capitalism seemingly crumble away.
That is not even getting into the issue of the fuzzy math they were using in their original article, or their shaky classification of the movies they listed. (I think plenty of commenters have said plenty about that).
Bleh. The world needs more film makers willing to make original, thought-provoking films about interesting topics, and there’s plenty of room in the mainstream industry for Christians to be influential. Setting aside a niche industry ensures that lots and lots of people WON’T go see the film, who might otherwise if there was no Christian label attached to it.
I couldn’t agree more. My brother and I wrote and directed what could be considered a “Christian” thriller. We never intended to make a “Christian” film. We just wanted to tell a good story. We feel like our mission was to show the love of Christ to the cast and crew we worked with. Many of whom were atheists and lacked any sort of Christian background. It as great to work 16 hour days with them. You really bond as a crew on a film set. We had many opportunities to discuss our faith and it was one of the greatest joys of the entire process.
By creating our own film industry, we miss out on the opportunity to demonstrate our faith to the people in the real film industry.
Josh
Josh – Thanks for your comment! It’s great to hear from Christians in the film industry. Not just to hear from them, but to hear their agreement with this issue. Thanks for your work — I’ll definitely have to check out your film!