#Kendrick Brothers
To Sermonize or Not To Sermonize, That is the Question
Christian film makers are not the only ones who often forgo entertainment to preach from the screen. Bulworth, from wonderful actor/filmmaker Warren Beatty was the first cause driven film I saw, that I didn’t walk out on, THOUGH I WANTED TO.
And I don’t recommend it to anyone for that reason.
Good production value starts with good writing.
It’s not that I don’t have strong beliefs. It’s not that I’m afraid to stand up for what I believe. It’s not that I shy away from communicating what I believe and the reasons for my stand. I have experienced turned people both toward me and away doing that very thing in my every day life -just like film makers do.
I think cause driven films are not worthy of the ticket price because FILM IS AN ENTERTAINMENT MEDIUM.
It’s a truth that every well written story makes a point, but I want to catch that point, not have it crammed down my throat. I want to be led to consider and think about what I caught for along time afterward. If you, the writer/filmmaker has done all the thinking for me, then I, the audience member, won’t change.
For instance, I am very much against sex trafficking. I would like to see every pedophile, every person who has sold a woman or child into sex slavery, every person who puts out pornography and forced sex on women or children to be burned alive very, very slowly. I don’t have to do it because there is a hell and they are headed there.
I have strong feelings in other areas too. Too many to go on in a blog about,
But writers need to be cognizant, if you are going to change people’s minds about your cause, whether it’s walking in righteousness, sex trafficking, global warming, marriage, etc. it’s your responsibility to draw those people into your show. If you are preachy about your topic, the very ones you want to reach, including me, will stay away.
3 Reasons Christian Films Don’t Box Office Like Secular Ones Do
When we consider great films with Christian themes, they are rarely made by Christians themselves. Those that are made by Christian film makers don’t generally box office well for three easy reasons to understand.
1. Though Christians will frequent popular films with or without Christian themes, non Christians will stay away from films they believe will preach against their chosen life style.
2. Non- Christian film makers, don’t have an agenda. They are not wishing to proselytize, or edify, or encourage, or instruct. They just want to put out a good compelling story.
3. Christian Filmmakers, often forget the GREAT COMMISSION, making disciples of all nations which require us to make ourselves understood to people who don’t speak our language.
Granted it’s to the whole body of believers that this responsibility is given. That does not negate the responsibilities of those in media to use their public platforms to utilize the best written, best produced product to exemplify the faithful, integrous, loving, caring, forgiving, healing, prosperous, delivering, redeeming natures we have within our new DNA, as born again, children of the living God.
Some examples of hit films not necessarily thought of as Christian but sporting christian themes: Chariots of Fire, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, It’s A Wonderful Life, The Bishop’s Wife, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Superman, The Lion King, The Truman Show, Frozen, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Les Miserables, Captain America, Civil War.