To entice me to write an article from time to time the powers-that-be at Meridian Magazine flatter me with the impressive title of “film editor.” Some “editors” get suggestions. Some get assignments. It usually takes an hour of diplomatic dialogue for me to “get it” at all.
The publishers requested that I write about the bubbling broth of “Mormon Cinema.” Well, they didn’t call it that. That’s how I see it in my mind. For curious reasons I am near the bottom of the list of writers best suited to illuminate the unexpected phenomenon.
You will understand what I mean if I reveal the genesis of this article. Otherwise you might like what I say more than it deserves and me less than I’d like. So here is how this article came to be.
I was In the middle of writing an open letter to the producer of The Book of Mormon Movie Vol. 1 when the big boss of Meridian Magazine stopped me cold. “We don’t attack individual members of the church on the pages of Meridian no matter much we disagree with them,” she said.
I shuffled my feet like a kid caught stealing a piece of apple pie. “Shucks Maurine,” I waffled, “my letter to Gary Rogers is not a personal attack. It’s a professional request.”
I tried to explain that the recently released film, The Book of Mormon Movie-Vol. 1, was so disturbingly disappointing to me that I felt compelled to say something. Do something. Write something. As the “film editor” of Meridian Magazine I have received a surprising number of e-mails from readers who went to The Book of Mormon Movie with great expectations and were equally disappointed. In some cases “disappointed” is a gentle euphemism for other reactions like outrage, anger, and embarrassment.
Meridian Magazine caters to Latter-day Saints. The Book of Mormon Movie – Vol. 1 presumes to approach the very soul of Mormonism. “What is my official responsibility?” It was hard not to wonder. Trusted friends in high places who share my dismay over the movie encouraged me to be the voice for a myriad of silent opinions.
Back to the boss. “You see Madame Proctor,” I tried to explain recovering from the wave of adolescent guilt, “my open letter to Brother Rogers is not a personal assault it is an objective and professional appeal for him NOT to make another movie ripped from the pages of our most sacred book of holy writ without (1) a close alliance with the First Presidency of the church (2) enough money – and I mean A LOT MORE MONEY – to do it right (3) a more qualified and experienced team of artisans and actors (4) shooting it on film instead of video and please (5) making sure it will be the excellent epic we expect and that the Book of Mormon deserves to be.”
“Can’t you share your reactions to Roger’s movie by addressing your article to the rising tide of Mormon Cinema without being so specific?” the boss asked.
“Well maybe,” I mused. After all even Singles Ward is a better movie than The Book of Mormon Vol. 1 — though I’m not sure whether the fun of one and the inescapable measure of truth in the other outweigh the negatives of both.
Bolstered by my flawless logic and glib wit I found courage to push harder for the boss’s blessing on my public outcry to Brother Rogers for a cinematic cease and desist. There was good cause in my mind of course and I quoted disgruntled readers to prove it. Even so I might have been able to ignore the e-mail assault if the impact of the film had not come home to roost on my head like a wounded bird.
What would you do? A close non-Mormon friend of mine rented The Book of Mormon Movie from Hollywood Video. In spite of disclaimers on the box my friend assumed that a movie called The Book of Mormon Movie HAD to be an official production of the LDS church. He took it home and showed it to his family. My friend is a movie buff. He has a high tolerance for “less than great” movies but he was sorely puzzled and nonplused by the mediocre quality of this movie. He presumed that the Book of Mormon was of great importance to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and that a movie about it should be comparable to The Ten Commandments. Bingo! He was embarrassed for me. I was embarrassed for all of us.
By the time I could explain that The Book of Mormon Movie -Vol. I was NOT produced by, endorsed by, approved by or sanctioned by the Mormon Church it was too late. His interest in reading the real Book of Mormon was gone.
My crowing over this painful incident seemed sufficiently persuasive to forge forward with my open letter to Brother Rogers. Then I got an e-mail. It came from a young woman in Brazil. Amidst the flurry of disparaging e-mails – subject line “The Book of Mormon Movie” – it was a white rose in a pile of coal. Struggling to write me in English she said – and I quote verbatim, “I am 24 old, one single adults just try to back to the church after inactive hard 2 years.” She explained that she was reading the Book of Mormon once again and, “it was helping me to back walk in the light”.
She told me about a “Fireside-Cinema” that came to Sao Bernardo in Brazil. She invited friends. She remembered the night. “I take my place and waiting to the beginning. The lights were switched off and the film started. The Book of Mormon Movie! Many important things I could see. Now I’m prepared to read Book of Mormon with other eyes. Now I’m prepared to repent my sins and back to the Lord with my Heart full of Lord loves.”
Then this surprising revelation. “Thank you so much to produce so special film to us, special to me, many times I was like Laman and Lemuel but NOW I desire to be like Nephi and Sam. Thank you so much, really the film is wonderful.”
Why young sister Daniela believed that I made the movie I can’t imagine. I suggested that she write Gary Rogers and give credit where credit was due. And it seemed apparent that credit was certainly due for touching a young woman’s heart and changing her life.
Few things have sobered my arrogance like this humble heart-felt message from a quiet grateful girl whose life was changed by a movie that I found embarrassing. Seen through her eyes it was an entirely different movie than the one I saw. For her it was not about the low budget, weak script, mediocre acting, terrible costumes, bad art direction, negative impact on the non-LDS audience or the artifacts from shooting on video. She saw none of the flaws that troubled me. The spirit of the film penetrated the wall of technical and creative flaws and touched her heart.
The hand of destiny reached out and slapped my woeful pride up the side of the head.
I did not change my mind about the movie. I did change my attitude about my own ability – or right – to condemn and criticize the artistic works of other Latter-day Saints.
Personally I am still very disappointed in The Book of Mormon Movie Vol. 1.
Professionally I still hope that Brother Rogers will find more money and rally better resources before attempting Volume 2. But both personally and professionally I recognize that I am probably the last person who should comment or criticize.
Which brings us back to this article about “Mormon Cinema”.
Even in this broader landscape I am most likely the LAST person you should trust when it comes to forming an opinion about Mormon movies made for Mormons by Mormons. Even alluding to the possibility that the storm of movies deluging the Wasatch Front may be nothing more than a temporary “tempest in a teapot” most likely goes beyond any “official editorial responsibility”. I should probably even apologize to my young friends Dave Hunter and Kurt Hale who surfed the wake of Richard Dutcher’s bold adventure and turned their keen sense of humor and great sense of business into a remarkably successful company.
Whether Kieth Merrill likes their movies or not – or any of the movies gushing from the energy and passion of young Latter-day Saints liberated by digital cinema — is really irrelevant.
To you, whom I may have offended with my hard criticism, terse quips, honest critique, or just pokes of innocent fun, forgive me. Gosh if I change my tune and tone enough I wonder if I might have a shot at directing A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to The High Priest Group Social for Halestorm Entertainment?
The unexpected message from a young woman in Brazil made me realize that my opinion of movies made by Mormons for Mormons is not only irrelevant but also contrary to the reaction of some and perhaps many of the audience starved for something different than the predictable fodder of Hollywood. Entertainment is highly subjective. Even The Book of Mormon Movie-Vol 1 has garnered abundant praise according to the “audience feedback” posted on their official website. It is remarkable that what is embarrassing to one is inspiring to another.
I thus disqualify myself. Not from my right to a personal perspective chiseled from 25 years of hard rock movie- making but from presuming to be an objective critic that reflects a general view or endeavors to taint your own pleasure in these films.
What is “Mormon cinema” anyway? Since only a few of the “movies made by Mormons for Mormons” get significant theatrical play beyond the Wasatch Front some of you may know of them only by the paid ads in Meridian. Even where I live in the gold country of California I have yet to see a “Mormon movie” show up in “a theater near me.” Heavy promotion on DVD and video is pushing the boundaries of the audience though the audience remains predominantly if not exclusively LDS.
Here is the “official list” of LDS genre films published on the website of ldsfilm.com. These are films that are completed and in distribution. It does not include films in production and does not list movies made by LDS filmmakers. “Mormon Cinema” is usually defined as films with character(s)s that are notably Mormon or a theme that embraces well-defined aspects of Mormonism.
. God’s Army – (2000)
. The Other Side of Heaven – (2001)
. Brigham City – (2001)
. The Singles Ward – (2002)
. Out of Step – (2002)
. Handcart – (2002)
. The R.M. – (2003)
. Suddenly Unexpected – (2003)
. The Work and the Story – (2003)
. The Book of Mormon Movie, Vol. 1: The Journey
. Day of Defense – (2003)
. Pride & Prejudice: A Latter-day Comedy – (2003)
. The Home Teachers – (2004)
. The Best Two Years – (2004)
. Saints and Soldiers – (2004)
There are several “works in progress” including Work and the Glory, coming at Thanksgiving and the much-anticipated God’s Army II is in postproduction.
By the way, ldsfilm.com is THE source on the Internet for all things related to Mormon movie making. You can subscribe to their newsletter and stay “tuned in” to Mormon cinema if you want to watch the swell.
It was recently reported that 45,000 people a day in 186 countries including China and North Korea read Meridian Magazine. 400,000 people read Meridian during a month. To you readers “out there” I am curious to know your views. How many of these films have you seen? Or heard about? How relevant in your worlds are these “Mormon movies” flickering primarily out of Utah? Send me a note and let me know.
Two weeks ago I was in Copenhagen, Denmark to participate as keynote speaker at a Youth Conference. I was surprised to discover that none of the teenagers I talked to – most spoke English and I speak Danish from the days of my mission — had ever heard of “Mormon cinema” per se’ nor knew the titles of any popular Mormon movies. I was even more stunned when my daughter and husband finishing graduate school in New York City had never heard of The Book of Mormon Movie until I asked them to proof read this article.
Perhaps my concern for the impact of mediocre Mormon-made movies on the non-Mormon audience is misplaced. [No inference here by the way that all of the movies coming out of Utah are mediocre by any means.] Some of them, like Saints and Soldiers, are actually terrific and I hear Sons of Provo, yet to be released is very funny. But there I go again. Just can’t keep those opinions to myself. Too many years immersed in movies I guess. You may ignore the foregoing – both praise and criticism since now know my tastes are not your tastes. Not universally at least.
The grand dream of “Mormon Cinema” from where I stand needs to be the vision of a prophet. Spencer W. Kimball spoke often of the power of arts to portray the message of the restoration.
“The full story of Mormonism has never yet been written, nor painted, nor sculptured nor spoken. Can we not find equal talent to those who gave us A Man For All Seasons, Dr. Zhivago, and Ben Hur? My Fair Lady and the Sound of Music have pleased their millions, but I believe we can improve on them.
Our moving picture specialists, with the inspiration of heaven, should tomorrow be able to produce a masterpiece. that should run for months in every movie center, cover every part of the globe in the tongue of the people. A masterpiece that will live forever.
It remains for inspired hearts and talented fingers yet to reveal themselves. They must be faithful, inspired, active church members to give life and feeling and true perspective to a subject so worthy. “
[Addresses to BYU faculty and staff 1967-68)
Filmmaking is a passionate pursuit. All of the films tagged “Mormon Cinema” are made with passion. But passion does not always greatness make. Some of these films are very good. A few are excellent. One or two have projected a positive image of Mormonism beyond the walls of the Wasatch front and surely made a difference.
The question for me is whether Latter-day Saint moviemakers now teetering at the brink of creating films that can possibly crossover from the predominantly Mormon audience to the general audience aspire to create significant films that will “cover the globe in the tongue of the people” as President Kimball envisioned or be satisfied to make movies that talk only to ourselves.
When you consider the disproportionate numbers of films being made that are categorically qualified as “Mormon Cinema” you might share my optimism that great things lay ahead. If you are aware of the outstanding young generation of LDS moviemakers working in or toward the Hollywood mainstream [not named or numbered as a part of Mormon Cinema] you might share my hope that it is the dawning day that Mormon-made movies catch a glimmer of light from the vision of a prophet.
Whether we are at the threshold of creating “movie masterpieces to cover every part of the globe” or simply deceiving ourselves into believing that this bubbling broth of Mormon cinema is the foreshadowing of prophecy fulfilled will be determined by those among us who aspire to make movies. Where aspirations lead will determine whether it is a tempest in a teapot or the time that talents will be tested and the filmmakers described by President Kimball as “faithful, inspired, active church members qualified to give life and feeling and true perspective” will be seasoned and prepared.
The inimitable Frank Capra whom I had the pleasure to know said once,
“To others that belong or aspire to belong to that privileged group of one-man-one-film filmmakers, I dare to say, don’t compromise. For only the valiant can create. Only the daring should make films. Only the morally courageous are worthy of speaking to their fellow men for two hours in the dark. Only the artistically incorrupt will earn and keep the people’s trust. “
You may know Capra only by the classic films he made. Who of you has never seen It’s A Wonderful Life? Any among the rising generation of LDS filmmakers who are unfamiliar with Capra or have never taken time to study his work should probably consider another profession.
Add Capra’s clarion call for moral courage to the prophetic vision of Spencer Kimball and you will be inspired to excellence with no admonition from me. You do not need my advice to keep the vision of what is possible before you. The future has been seen through eyes quickened by the power of heaven. What more encouragement should we need to aspire to excellence? To work harder, reach higher, be daring, be worthy and shun compromise.
The digital revolution has changed our world of movie making. Extraordinary as it seems, whatever the mind can conceive or imagine can be created on the screen. What an exciting time to make movies. What an extraordinary opportunity lies before us. How enormous is our responsibility.
