I don’t know if I believe this idea that the film Creation hasn’t gotten a US distributor because it’s too “controversial” for backwards-thinking Americans. For one thing, the target audience for this thing aren’t the people who still believe the Earth is flat, but those who like historical epics. In fact, had Creation been more about evolution vs. Creationism it would probably would have a better shot. Indeed, news flash, I don’t know everything. I would like to think I do, but alas. Perhaps it’s true that there aren’t any studios willing to distribute it for those reasons:
“The film has no distributor in America. It has got a deal everywhere else in the world but in the US, and it’s because of what the film is about. People have been saying this is the best film they’ve seen all year, yet nobody in the US has picked it up.
“It is unbelievable to us that this is still a really hot potato in America. There’s still a great belief that He made the world in six days. It’s quite difficult for we in the UK to imagine religion in America. We live in a country which is no longer so religious. But in the US, outside of New York and LA, religion rules.
The question is, how good is the movie? If it is indeed a great film it should have found a distributor whether it is about something controversial or not; after all, they’re in the (mostly) money-making business. But if the real reason is that they all were too afraid of rabid fundamentalists? Then it is truly a sad day for America. Here is the part that upset me, though:
“Charles Darwin is, I suppose, the hero of the film. But we tried to make the film in a very even-handed way. Darwin wasn’t saying ‘kill all religion’, he never said such a thing, but he is a totem for people.”
It really isn’t, wasn’t, will never be necessary to soften the blow for people who don’t have the presence of mind to accept reality. It doesn’t need to be explained: Darwin existed. Darwin was a great thinker. Darwin discovered patterns in biological development that eventually led to a theory which eventually led to evidence that backed up the theory and from thence it has grown and, erm, evolved. It happened. His story is worth telling. And it doesn’t need to be told in soft-focus. Tell it in full color, loud and proud.
(thanks to Derek)
12 Responses for "It’s a Slippery Slope – Christian Hysteria?"
Eh, I certainly don’t buy it not being picked up because of “religious fundamentalists”. I also don’t buy religion ruling anywhere outside of LA or New York City; perhaps the Brit writing this hasn’t been to this country. This is coming from someone who was raised Catholic in a small town.
I recommend The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins.
This makes me agitated. Religion agitates me. Crazy religious people in this country agitate me. Grr to them all.
A few thoughts:
*I have read nothing from American reviewers that paints the movie as one of the best of the year. It’s gotten fairly positive reviews, but I think there are just too many films right now with louder agendas such as Antichrist, Capitalism: A Love Story or Up in the Air. Let’s not forget that this time last year The Hurt Locker was struggling to find distribution stateside and that had ZERO to do with the religious right and more to do with the fact that it’s just difficult to get theatre distribution in America right now.
*If the film had been more in your face about evolution and been more anti-religious, I guarantee it would have a distribution deal in the states BECAUSE of the protests and publicity it would stir up. Antichrist got scathing reviews in Cannes, is by a director who has had one minor crossover hit in the states and got an immediate theatre distribution and dvd deal. Controversy, especially in today’s competitive marketing environment, is good for business, not bad.
*Evolution and creation have nothing to do with each other imo. Evolution describes a process of species adaptation. Creation theorizes the origin of all things. If atheists or religious nuts want to butt heads over theories, they need to be yelling at each other over astrophysics not biology.
And while Christians have what amounts to a truck bed full of scrolls to base their faith on, Darwin acolytes have what amounts to a truck bed full of bones to base the early history of man on. Both groups seem to be stretching their knowledge beyond their means to define how we should view the world.
I have the same skepticism, but it does make you wonder when the film has been picked up for distribution in every country excep the US. This film suffers from a Catch 22 in America. Because of how contoversial the subject matter is, it was only gonna get picked up right now if praise was unanimous (I was hoping for this). Reviews so far are mixed, so distributors are still hesitant to take a risk. And the reviewers who disliked the film all seemed to be commenting that it did not touch enough on the controversy, enough on his theories. But if the filmmakers did that, it’s even less likely to get picked up because of the fear that it won’t sell well in America. So it seems like a bit of a vicious cycle. Shame it’s always all about the money, but that’s the way of the world.
“Controversy, especially in today’s competitive marketing environment, is good for business, not bad.”
Generally I do agree. But marketers get really funny about this particular issue. Half the country is in denial about Darwin’s theories. If this half hears the film has what they perceive as an agenda, they will not see it. They will pretend it doesn’t exist. And that’s bad for business.
If the filmmakers try to show the subject matter without pushing an agenda, it has the best chance at reaching the largest number of people in the States. But with some reviewers unhappy that the film was not more controversial, it causes some not so great reviews which causes the distributors to fear taking it on. The filmmakers can’t seem to win here.
KatKat, that true but we’re not even talking about a controversial film here – it seems that it’s the very idea of Darwin would potentially be upsetting. Which is silly.
Thank You poster #1! Religion rules outside of NY and LA….huh? Don’t blame ALL America except for two cities because a movie you like has not been picked up. If the US does not pick it up, it has nothing to do with religion, it’s b/c the US does not think it will make any $$$$$$. How about instead of sitting on you ass trying to /imagine/ religion in America, get off it, come to AMERICA (you know the part between NY and LA) and see for yourself.
Harry: nice post. Right on the mark. I have always found this creationist vs. Darwinist dichotomy to be silly beyond words. A large number of Christians in the United States accept the basic premises of evolutionary theory; some of them are even “creationists” in the loose sense of the word (you won’t find too many ‘young-earthers’ agreeing with evolutionary theory). On the other side of the coin, not all non-religious people are attempting to beat Christians over the head with Darwin–nor should they be, considering that Darwin’s work: 1. is scientific in nature and not religious; 2. isn’t nearly as damaging to religion as even he feared it would be.
As far as “Creation” goes, the notion that it hasn’t received a US release because of its religious content is beyond laughable. Not only are there more mainstream Hollywood films released EVERY YEAR that attack religion rather than embrace it, there’s also one belief in the US more powerful than Christianity: capitalism. If “Creation” doesn’t have a distributor, it’s because distributors see it as something without a strong market.
Ugh. Why are some people blaming Christians? As if we are all at TIFF protesting the films release. As a Christian I am interested in seeing this film, if its any good, because contrary to popular belief, a Christian can watch and appreciate a film that may or may not promote his/her personal beliefs.
I find that hard to believe… there are all sorts of films that enter the US that are obviously opposed to the values of the christian majority. Transamerica, Brokeback Mountain…
Darwin wasn’t really anti-christian or anti-religion. There are all sorts of christians, including in the US, who don’t believe the world was created in six literal days. I don’t know if Darwin is really a ‘hero’ though… I think for example of some of his eugenics ideas, which would be manipulated to a tragic end decades after his death. Even if that part is ignored, scientific discovery by itself is not really something heroic, but only if he meant to use it for a good end.
God Bless,
Looks as if we may have jumped the gun and gotten all worked up over nothing:
http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/acquisitions-update-no-deals-buyer-interest_7034
The wrap.com is reporting that Creation is close to closing a deal for U.S. distribution, and in fact there haven’t been any films at all that have been picked up by distributors, who are being cautious. So it seems the economy may be causing the distributors to just be hesitant in general. Well I hope they close this deal because I’d like the opportunity to see the film at least.
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