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| News Papers |
| Sedona, Arizona: Reading, 'riting, and 'rithmatic. To those Three Rs, the filmmakers of a thought-provoking new documentary present a fourth: religion. |
On Monday, Nov. 20, the Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present a
one-night engagement of a film that's got people talking all across America: Jesus
Camp. Sure to be one of the most discussed movies of the year, Jesus Camp is a
searching look into an intense training ground that recruits born-again Christian
children to become an active part of America's political future.
The award-winning filmmakers, Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady (whose previous film,
The Boys of Baraka, was a stunning look at inner-city boys sent to school in Kenya)
have presented a balanced film that has critics and audiences across the country
heralding it as a must-see.
"The film is very topical, timely and important, especially now that Ted Haggard, who
is featured in the film, has stepped down from his church amid scandal," said Patrick
Schweiss, festival director. "It is so much more than a religious film, it has political
ramifications, as well."
Jesus Camp follows three children from Missouri as they attend Pastor Becky
Fischer's "Kids on Fire" Summer Camp in Devil's Lake, North Dakota. Levi (now 13)
is a shy, thoughtful, and compelling boy who dreams of becoming a preacher like his
father. Rachel (now 10) has been home schooled all her life. She speaks as
passionately about her desire to bring her religion to her friends and neighbors as
she speaks about her isolation from these same people. Tory (now 11) has also
been home schooled. She loves music and dance, but is careful to distinguish
between entertainment for God's glory and entertainment "of the flesh."
Fischer's camp brings children from all across the country to rural North Dakota for
an intense program of religious education. The camp uses motivational speakers,
PowerPoint presentations, plays, and other activities to energize the kids'
attachments to Christ, and mobilize them against their enemies, in spiritual and
cultural wars across the country and the globe.
The children are taught that there is a revival underway that requires Christian
youth to assume leadership roles in advocating the causes of their religious
movement. And the causes of the American Evangelical movement are familiar to
anyone following American politics: school prayer, intelligent design, ending
abortion, and fighting the spread of Islamic fundamentalism.
The powerful and emotional images in the film will stick with you long after the film
has ended. Red, tear filled eyes straining upwards. Eleven-year-olds, weeping and
convulsing, crying out for "righteous judges" to end Roe v. Wade. A room full of
children, arms upraised, praying toward a life-size cardboard cutout of the
President, or standing with tape on their mouths in front of the Supreme Court,
awaiting the confirmation of justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr.
In the world of Jesus Camp, the personal and the political are as indivisible as "one
nation, under God."
The images in Jesus Camp can inspire both joy and fear, but the filmmakers are
careful to present a fair view of a divisive subject. "We see making non-fiction films
as a way for our viewers and ourselves to connect with others," say Ewing and
Grady, "We were reminded while making this film that you cannot judge people for
their beliefs, and no one can just be categorized in a simple black or white fashion.
People are nuanced and just because someone does not share the same political
beliefs as you does not mean we cannot learn from one another."
The film presents an alternative religious viewpoint from Mike Papantonio, host of
the Air America call-in radio program "Ring of Fire."
Says Pastor Fischer, "They show both sides of the issue without making judgments
on either side. Give the movie a chance. At least see it before you make a
judgment. I honestly feel it's a fair look into what we do."
Critics agree with Pastor Fischer about the movie's fairness and heart. David
Edelstein of New York magazine calls it a "profoundly compassionate documentary
about the indoctrination of children by the Evangelical right" and Jessica Reaves
of the Chicago Tribune says its "remarkable at capturing the visceral humanity,
desire and unflagging political will of a religious movement." Ebert & Roeper give
Jesus Camp two thumbs up and call it "one of the most compelling documentaries
of the year." Claudi Puig from USA Today calls the film "eye-opening... a riveting
film that is sure to stir debate. A must for people who worry about religion
encroaching into the political arena. It may bring viewers to their knees."
Jesus Camp will be shown on two screens simultaneously at Harkins on Monday,
Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10, or $8 for members of Film Sedona. Tickets will be
available beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Harkins Sedona Six Theatres lobby each
evening. Cash or checks only, please. Seats are limited, so arrive early. Film
Sedona members have the option of purchasing their tickets in advance at the film
festival office, 45 Sunset Drive, or by calling 928-282-1177.
one-night engagement of a film that's got people talking all across America: Jesus
Camp. Sure to be one of the most discussed movies of the year, Jesus Camp is a
searching look into an intense training ground that recruits born-again Christian
children to become an active part of America's political future.
The award-winning filmmakers, Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady (whose previous film,
The Boys of Baraka, was a stunning look at inner-city boys sent to school in Kenya)
have presented a balanced film that has critics and audiences across the country
heralding it as a must-see.
"The film is very topical, timely and important, especially now that Ted Haggard, who
is featured in the film, has stepped down from his church amid scandal," said Patrick
Schweiss, festival director. "It is so much more than a religious film, it has political
ramifications, as well."
Jesus Camp follows three children from Missouri as they attend Pastor Becky
Fischer's "Kids on Fire" Summer Camp in Devil's Lake, North Dakota. Levi (now 13)
is a shy, thoughtful, and compelling boy who dreams of becoming a preacher like his
father. Rachel (now 10) has been home schooled all her life. She speaks as
passionately about her desire to bring her religion to her friends and neighbors as
she speaks about her isolation from these same people. Tory (now 11) has also
been home schooled. She loves music and dance, but is careful to distinguish
between entertainment for God's glory and entertainment "of the flesh."
Fischer's camp brings children from all across the country to rural North Dakota for
an intense program of religious education. The camp uses motivational speakers,
PowerPoint presentations, plays, and other activities to energize the kids'
attachments to Christ, and mobilize them against their enemies, in spiritual and
cultural wars across the country and the globe.
The children are taught that there is a revival underway that requires Christian
youth to assume leadership roles in advocating the causes of their religious
movement. And the causes of the American Evangelical movement are familiar to
anyone following American politics: school prayer, intelligent design, ending
abortion, and fighting the spread of Islamic fundamentalism.
The powerful and emotional images in the film will stick with you long after the film
has ended. Red, tear filled eyes straining upwards. Eleven-year-olds, weeping and
convulsing, crying out for "righteous judges" to end Roe v. Wade. A room full of
children, arms upraised, praying toward a life-size cardboard cutout of the
President, or standing with tape on their mouths in front of the Supreme Court,
awaiting the confirmation of justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr.
In the world of Jesus Camp, the personal and the political are as indivisible as "one
nation, under God."
The images in Jesus Camp can inspire both joy and fear, but the filmmakers are
careful to present a fair view of a divisive subject. "We see making non-fiction films
as a way for our viewers and ourselves to connect with others," say Ewing and
Grady, "We were reminded while making this film that you cannot judge people for
their beliefs, and no one can just be categorized in a simple black or white fashion.
People are nuanced and just because someone does not share the same political
beliefs as you does not mean we cannot learn from one another."
The film presents an alternative religious viewpoint from Mike Papantonio, host of
the Air America call-in radio program "Ring of Fire."
Says Pastor Fischer, "They show both sides of the issue without making judgments
on either side. Give the movie a chance. At least see it before you make a
judgment. I honestly feel it's a fair look into what we do."
Critics agree with Pastor Fischer about the movie's fairness and heart. David
Edelstein of New York magazine calls it a "profoundly compassionate documentary
about the indoctrination of children by the Evangelical right" and Jessica Reaves
of the Chicago Tribune says its "remarkable at capturing the visceral humanity,
desire and unflagging political will of a religious movement." Ebert & Roeper give
Jesus Camp two thumbs up and call it "one of the most compelling documentaries
of the year." Claudi Puig from USA Today calls the film "eye-opening... a riveting
film that is sure to stir debate. A must for people who worry about religion
encroaching into the political arena. It may bring viewers to their knees."
Jesus Camp will be shown on two screens simultaneously at Harkins on Monday,
Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10, or $8 for members of Film Sedona. Tickets will be
available beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Harkins Sedona Six Theatres lobby each
evening. Cash or checks only, please. Seats are limited, so arrive early. Film
Sedona members have the option of purchasing their tickets in advance at the film
festival office, 45 Sunset Drive, or by calling 928-282-1177.
| Gateway To Sedona |
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| Kids in Ministry. Becky's Web Site |