I think the question we should be asking ourselves is whether there is a better plan to influence Hollywood and the culture through the use of media and movies. USA Today’s Weekend Magazine which appears in national newspapers offered insight into how Christian-themed films are taking many approaches at reaching audiences. They suggest that the most influential modern Christian film may be The Blindside, which grossed $256 million. This 2009 film portrayed the true story of a family who lived out their evangelical values. They adopted a young man, and they nurtured his mind, his character and his athletic talent. There was no conversion scene or, for that matter, any heavy-handed preaching. But what it offered was a portrayal of a real family who was Christ-like to the people they encountered.
The article also talks about Robert Duvall’s movies, Get Low and Seven Days in Utopia. Duvall says that he doesn’t make Christian movies. He is interested in atonement and forgiveness. What both films have in common is they portray real people who are lost in pain, anger, loneliness, addiction, poverty and profound sadness. But their lives are rebuild by small acts of love and kindness that Psalms 51:1 calls tender mercies.
Blindside is not the only Christian-themed film on the horizon. In September, Like Dandelion Dust, a movie based on the novel by Karen Kingsbury, will be released nationwide. The film offers no conversions, doesn’t mention Jesus by name, nor does it portray anyone praying. Producers Kevin and Bobby Downes say, “What makes Dust Christian is its portrayal of sacrificial love. We’re Christians who make movies. Our goal in making films is to move people with universal themes that create conversations while the credits are still rolling.”
USA Today Weekend goes on to contrast these films, which are designed for mainstream theatrical release, with Sherwood Baptist’s approach with films such as Facing the Giants, Fireproof and their upcoming fatherhood drama, Courageous. The article stated that church-made films are laced with prayers to Jesus. It’s obviously a different approach than that of Kevin and Bobby Downes’ belief that capturing a big audience or the unchurched of America requires strong storytelling. But they believe it can be done without sacrificing their Christian worldview. “We are trying to do what Jesus did, meet people where they are.”
What does all of this mean to you and I? Both articles make one thing very clear. There is a debate about what type of movies Christian’s should be making and which ones are the most effective. Do we make blatantly Christian films such as Facing the Giants and Fireproof or do we make Christian-themed films such as The Blindside, The Book of Eli or the upcoming Get Low. They use completely different approaches. The question I ask you is which one will work the best. If the goal is to reach a large, mainstream audience, I think the numbers speak for themselves. The Blindside made $256 million vs. Fireproof’s $33 million.
I’m convinced we can make movies with the right message that can speak to a broad audience. Remember, movies are good at starting discussions but not at giving all the answers. What we need to do is ask the right questions. We can challenge the audience to look at their lives and the decisions they are making. That’s what I believe films are good at doing. The choice is ours to make. I think Hollywood has found their next The Passion of the Christ. They just didn’t realize it. Could it have been The Blindside and The Book of Eli?
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