Modern Christian Filmmakers - To Whom Much Is given

Source: The Huffington Post

"...For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required... " -Luke 12:48b

A recent post on Facebook from a Christian friend shared that War Room, the latest film from the Kendrick Brothers is still at number one at the box office and adding more theaters - which is a good thing I think and opens doors for other Christians to make faith based films or films with more expressions of our faith.  It's fair to speculate that it might hit number one or two this weekend as well... which would certainly be praise worthy.... especially for this being the third week as it continues to climb to stay at the top of the Box Office.   So then a well meaning Christian commented on his post: "Look out Hollywood... we're nipping at your heels"  (an ironic reference to the villain of Facing the Giants.. which I think is honestly ironic in what came to my heart)

Lately there have been some pretty harsh criticisms of War Room by Christians themselves.  As a believer - I found the trailer to War Room be quite moving as far as watching a visual expression of prayer and so I think the film will probably move many Christians spiritually much like I've experienced watching a music video for some of Hillsong's live worship experiences.    So there's a lot of excitement amongst Christians -  I've even seen one Christian brother write in their blog that the Kendrick Brothers have been called the "Spielbergs of Christian Cinema".

And so while God is clearly opening doors for us to make more films - are we really there yet?  Are these films really comparable to a great cinema experience for audiences today?  Can we clearly compare the films of our well meaning and talented brothers the Kendricks to Steven Spielberg?   I think we all know the answer to this.  And I'm not talking about modern Spielberg of big budget films like War Horse, War of the Worlds, or even Schindler's List.  I'm talking about Spielberg of low budget half silent film: Amblin or Spielberg of the amazing TV movie Duel or Jaws - his lower budget films that were more like Independent films for him in his early days.

Universal Studios

I know many Christians have been saying we haven't arrived yet -so don't be critical - but my question is why haven't we yet?  Don't tell me it's our lack of resources.  Our Heavenly Father has given us everything we need to do this, folks.  The equipment is dirt cheap, Youtube provides free learning resources,  Christians are willing to volunteer to help - even Christians who are celebrities are willing to work for lower rates to help us do this.  And never before has it been easier to watch all the greatest films in the history of Cinema through cheap outlets on the Internet than today.  At my local library I have recently been able to access hundreds of great films for free and I get them for a long time - up to three weeks sometimes.  These films are there for you and me to study to enjoy to experience like anyone else.

To whom much is given - much is required.

I honestly think the real problem is that many of my Christian brothers don't give a rip about cinema.  They don't love it.  They just want to use it for it's power to send the message.  But you can't use this tool it if you don't have at least an understanding of how it works and you will certainly always be lacking if you don't have a passion for cinema.   That's why so many Hollywood directors make great films that we can't compete with:

They. love. cinema.

 I don't say this to disrespect my Christian brothers and sisters who make films like Fireproof. (I myself actually want to make a film with faith based expressions someday - I really do.)  And I do my part to support and watch various Chrsitian films and promote ones that friends of mine are working on - because they're my family - they're my friends and I want them to do well - I want them to succeed.  I believe God is using them - I honestly do.   And I'm not saying - don't celebrate.  We should  rejoice with those who rejoice and look at the open doors before us.   We should be aware of the times we live and see the opportunity before us.

It's just that I think there's a sense of spiritual pride in here based on no understanding of what makes cinema a truly amazing artistic experience for an audience.  It's only a pat on the back that a Christian message is going out and lots of people of faith are responding at the box office with their dollars to support the message.    But ask yourself - what made Shakespeare great or Mozart or Michaelangelo's profound artwork on the Sistine Chapel great or Narnia or Lord of the Rings an amazing work of literature or even let's look at the Music of Elvis Presley or the music of Johnny Cash.   Wasn't it something more than Christians supporting something just so everyone could see or hear the art?  Something bigger was at work during those historical moments of great art.
 
                                         

Ask yourself why Spielberg so good - not only because he's a great film director- but also because he loves cinema.  He adores it.  He watched hundreds of films and studied them and it was harder for him than us - he watched great films in the theater when there was no DVD, no Internet, no cable, and and a handful of TV stations that you could count on one hand.

And the truth of the matter is that this is the underlying problem.  God has given us an open door and we are blowing it not because we don't have the tools or resources - but because we lack the love of cinema - a lack of the art.    Do you know why CS Lewis and Tolkien were great storytellers?  They loved literature - they adored it.  They even had some non Christian friends that they hung out with in a pub and talked literature and compared notes.  Do we do this?   Would we be accused of being unequally yolked for doing this?   Do we  even sit around and talk about our love of Cinema?

Source: The Common Vision Blog

With all due respect - do the people who compared the talented Kendrick Brothers even know why Spielberg is a master storyteller?  Have they honestly watched Schindler's List, ET, Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jaws, Close Encounters, and come to this conclusion with an honest heart?  Why can't we compare our films to the experience of seeing a great modern film like say Whiplash was for even Road to Perdition or cinema entertainment like that of Captain America: Winter Soldier,  and great classics by Hitchcock, Akira Kurosawa, or David Lean.   Do you even know who some of these directors are?  If you don't  - it's time to get to know them.

Universal Pictures

And fine - if you want to remove profanity or excess sex or violence from some of these films - I still do not think we can compare it at this point.  Because those elements are not what make these films great.  They distract many times but they do not make films great.  It is the cinematic expression of a great story told well that makes a film great.

And the reason non-Christians make better films with Christian themes is usually because they love making films for the sake of telling a great story... for the love of cinema.  You want to know why The Passion of the Christ was so awesome - because Mel Gibson loves cinema - he loves directing.   He just happened to also have a love for Jesus. The same goes for The Ten Commandments by Cecil B Demille. He was a great film director.

New Market Films

What I'm not talking about here is putting cinema above Christ - nor do I mean idolatry.  I mean - a genuine love of art like many Christians get excited going to a football game or over their favorite ball team.  Art was given to us by God, brothers and sisters.  Art that inspires and art that speaks in a universal language that goes even beyond religion and faith... and speaks to the very soul of a person.  It's God breathed.  And I think we probably fear that a healthy love of cinema will create idolatry. Obviously passion for this sort of art creates that risk because it touches us so deeply.  But passion is what drives an artist to create great art.

So in closing  I think we need a move of the Spirit that gives us a passion and love for cinema to truly break through at this point.    Much has already been given to us - do you not think God will hold us accountable while we are busy patting ourselves on the back and comparing ourselves to the masters of cinema when our films are purely lacking. It's really time to get to work and access what the great masters of cinema have given to us - there are a 100plus years of great films to explore.  If you do love movies - ask yourself what inspires you about a great film you saw when you were a kid or even this past year.  What makes that film so great?

We need a reformation that at least helps us to see the light beyond our own church walls and Christian art ghettos.   To my Christain filmmaker friends and family - Look to God for guidance, but also open your eyes to the world of cinema that is so easily accessible to you at this time to learn what truly makes cinema great.  To whom much is given much is required and as much as equipment is available to us at a cheaper cost to allow for lower budgets - the opportunity has also become open through the Internet and through your public library to truly experience why Cinema is great and what makes it great - the learning opportunity is just as wide and vast - never greater for us and so - we are without excuse now, friends and family.  Love God but seek to make movies that are more than messages - but great films.    The time is now.

Like people who stay in motels who have a Gidion Bible in the room - we are without excuse.  Our Heavenly Father has given us access to great cinema and it is right at our fingertips.  We must take the time to learn and experience it and have a passion for it.  The time is now.  The doors are wide open.

To whom much is given, much is required.