In the early 2000s a congregation in South Georgia decided to make a movie as an effective way to reach the general population with God's Truth. With a budget of $20,000, little to no experience, a crew of volunteers, much faith and lots of prayer, Flywheel was released in a few local theatres and to DVD a few years later. Flywheel has the look of an amateur film, but nonetheless effectively tells a good story about how doing life God's way makes a positive difference. The limited but significant success of Flywheel spurred these folks on and in 2006 they released Facing the Giants - in which the viewer is challenged to trust God through the struggle of a losing high school football coach and he and his wife's infertility. With a budget five times that of Flywheel, but still low compared to most commercial films, the cinematic quality was greatly improved over that of its predecessor. It also did respectably well in the box office, grossing over $10 million. I remember reading a review of Facing the Giants before I saw it, accusing it of being predictable, but having experienced God come through for me in so many of the ways shown in this film, what may seem predictable to some is actually a graphic depiction of God's dependability.
The next offering by Sherwood Pictures, the movie-making arm of the congregation behind these productions (Sherwood Baptist Church), was Fireproof. With a budget of $500,000, it was the highest grossing independent film of 2008, starring Kirk Cameron (well-known from the TV show Growing Pains), as a firefighter whose marriage is falling apart, but who learns the power of unconditional love.
This past weekend (September 30, 2011) Sherwood released its most daring offering thus far. Aptly named Courageous, its courage is found in much more than its story line. Against the backdrop of the lives of four law enforcement officers, Courageous deals with what might be the single most important issue facing the world today. In fact, it is so daring that most people don't want to deal with it. So why make a movie about it? Why risk a million dollar budget and the energy and time of so many volunteers who gave of themselves to be involved in this project. Up until now while these folks have produced films that were personal, emotional and life changing, they were pretty safe.
But Courageous is not safe. It confronts the viewer with what might be some of our deepest wounds, while at the same time calling us to a standard that we would rather ignore. It takes courage to offer a prescription that has been belittled for so long. It takes courage to tell the truth when so many have embraced a lie. It takes courage to offer audiences a biblical solution to the epidemic facing fatherhood and manhood today.
With the growing popularity of so-called, faith-based films, there is a tendency to water down biblical truth for the sake of viewership. I must confess I myself was a bit uncomfortable over the central place Courageous gives the message of the Messiah (just as their other films do). I was falling into the same trap of being concerned more about theatrical success than the need to deliver the Truth. But this is the crux of the matter. It takes courage to tell the truth in spite of people's reactions. It takes courage to do right regardless of others' actions. Courageous is an example we would do well to follow.
3 comments:
Is it ok for kids?
It is certainly not for younger children. The American rating for the film is PG-13 - "for some violence and drug content". There are some very dramatic and upsetting scenes.
Thank you for this. I've wanted to see this film. Haven't yet, but hope to soon. Hurray for the Courageous lion-hearted lambs in the sheepfold!
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