A couple nights ago I got to hear documentary filmmaker Nate Clarke speak about his work and the art of storytelling. It was refreshing to see the work of someone who is so passionate about capturing people's lives and sharing their stories. He had a lot to say about film today-- most of which, I agreed with. Like me, he is frustrated with the "Christian" film industry. It has pretty much isolated itself, creating predictable plots with neatly wrapped up endings that are saturated in an agenda. Granted, these popular Christian films with a strong message do have a place and can be effective; however, I long for some innovative individuals to step forward and produce films that raise theological questions without cramming an agenda down people's throats.
At the end of his talk, Nate exhorted us to be better patrons of the arts, to go out and invest in it, instead of staying in our homes and trying to download it for free. It isn't a lucrative business, the documentary film industry. (I guess not many jobs in the arts are) Many people tend to make excuses for not investing in the arts because looking through another's frame of reference and belief system can be uncomfortable. I believe that people are impressionable and we must monitor our intake; however, we will never understand those around us if we don't turn and look at things from their perspective. It certainly doesn't mean we have to agree with everything we see, but we owe it to others to listen-- after all, I want people to give my point of view a chance.
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| Art 180 love! Monument Avenue looks great! |
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| Crooked Beauty |
On this note, a particularly unique film festival is coming to Richmond in May. Here is the site. I'm excited to get the chance to see some good films that focus on individuals with disabilities.
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