The arguments: part one
So, I had recently posted about arguing semantics when it comes to Christian art. The comments really helped me along: particularly, in a response, I said:
There ought to be at least two discussions occurring:
1. What does a movie that reflects/supports/advocates/illustrates a Christian world view and Christian values look like?
2. What should the quality of a movie that reflects/supports/advocates/illustrates a Christian world view be like?
Because right now, the conversation breaks down at “is it a Christian movie / song / painting” and breaks down into semantics like, “There’s no such thing as a Christian movie.”
So, I thought perhaps we could try to discuss those two things… and I thought we’d start with… number 2! Because it’s the easy one! Exclamation marks!
What should the quality of a movie that reflects/supports/advocates/illustrates a Christian world view be like?
There are whole Christian industries formed around books, movies, and music. I work in one of those industries (so I guess I should tread lightly). What’s interesting to me is that I can most easily identify the problems with the industries I’m not involved with.
Starting with music, find a 16 year old at your church and ask them what they think of their local Christian radio station. Here’s what you’ll likely find: “I wish they would play more than just the same 20 songs. And they all sound pretty much the same.” There’s not room for a whole lot of artistic differences within Christian music. You need to fit into one of the molds that has been proven to sell for the industry to get behind you. The problem with that isn’t the “proven to sell” part, it’s who the molds are proven to sell to. The primary buyers aren’t kids looking for new artists. The primary buyers are parents and grandparents trying to keep their kids from finding new artists that aren’t safe.
As a result, there’s a lack of depth lyrically and musically. It’s easier that way. If there are never complex lyrics, there are never questions to answer.
You see this in Christian movies, too. If you look across the bulk of the movies made, they are shallow, filled with superficial “tragedy” that in every case resolves perfectly, helping the protagonist to more exciting faith.
This is why so many believers who are artists choose to do art outside of the community of faith — or on the outskirts of it. You can communicate harder things, deeper things, if you’re not constrained by an industry that doesn’t want depth, preferring an easy sell. So, you get a movie like Primer, made by a Believer, that explores hard questions about man’s nature and does it interestingly (time travel and the relationship dynamic between best friends). This movie would be a hard sale into the Christian art buying community (Christian bookstores, web stores, etc). But, ironically, it found an audience with thinking people in the general industry. And it was better done than any Christian movie I’ve ever seen.
So, one thing that Christian art must have is depth.
Another area that current Christian art is lacking is technical excellence. Obviously, technical excellence is not necessary for commercial success these days, but the lack of it does hurt us. You can find this in a lot of different areas — the editorial quality of some Christian fiction, the repetitiveness of guitar solos, production techniques, and styles in some Christian music.
Lastly, instead of “blazing trails,” much of Christian art follows the not-specifically Christian market, usually by a year or two. This lack of originality betrays a bias (it worked for them, let’s try it!) that is harmful.
So, in my opinion, the quality of art supporting a Christian worldview should be marked by depth, excellence, and originality. What else should it be?
(You can find part two of this discussion over here).
Might have a longer comment on this later when I’m not on my lunch, but I would just like to say that Primer is awesome.
Joel
4 Feb 10 at 12:23 pm
My mind is still in a twist from my three viewings of Primer. However, I’m starting to believe that trying to understand Primer will end up helping me understand Lost… Version of characters on the island = Granger. IMHO.
If you don’t follow Lost and/or Primer, that won’t make any sense. Welcome to the world of sci-fi geeks.
andrew mackay
4 Feb 10 at 1:04 pm
I have heard this a lot “Well, for a Christian movie it was pretty good…”
I hate that! I’m not sure why people in the Christian movie industry are able to get away with this! I was asked to watch the movie Fireproof, with Kirk Cameron, hearing that oh no this movie is actually good, for a Christian movie. I’ve actually come to the conclusion that if you are a Christian you are just supposed to suspend the ideas of good acting and well written dialogue, and agree to recommend the movie to all your friends.
It reminds me of the Southpark episode (yes, Southpark how could I watch such a show) where Cartman decides to start a “Christian” band in order to go platinum. I believe his quote is “All you have to do is replace words like honey with Jesus and your a success! We become huge in the christian music scene and then switch to contemporary; it worked for Creed!!” (his album was huge but in the christian music scene albums don’t go platinum they go myrrh)
This comment really has no ending point just a small rant on how I really dislike “Christian” movies.
Joel
4 Feb 10 at 6:00 pm
Joel, that’s exactly how I feel. I just can’t understand that “… for a Christian product” disclaimer things get. Shouldn’t we be MORE committed to quality, not less? Why is it okay for our actors to stink, our musicians to be repetitive and derivative, our writers to be less-than-stellar? Why do the artists from our faith community who ARE great get shoved outside of the community? It just doesn’t make any sense. I’m totally with you.
andrew mackay
4 Feb 10 at 7:45 pm
Great post, Andrew. And thanks for putting me on to Primer. It was so great.
Great points, and well said. You should start a company, identify and produce great art by Xians.
Great, great, great.
SD Smith
5 Feb 10 at 8:53 am
A great example of “too much depth” or “too complicated” is Mister Eric Peters. An amazing musician, but not “safe” enough for CCM.
SD Smith
5 Feb 10 at 9:07 am
Why, Andrew, are you actually saying that Fireproof did not have excellent acting and well-written dialogue?
(Tee hee)
The Hermit Editor
5 Feb 10 at 11:48 am
I enjoyed Fireproof.
Ken
Ken
6 Feb 10 at 9:16 am
Ken, I think there’s a difference between “I enjoyed Fireproof” and “Fireproof was a great work.” Rebecca and I watched fireproof, and I think we enjoyed it on some levels. But, the actors weren’t great — that is, at times they were hard to believe in their delivery. The writing wasn’t great — the dialog was weak, the pacing was very predictable. The camera work wasn’t great: it was better than a “made-for-tv” movie, but not by much. I very much love the Mighty Ducks, but I know that it’s not because it’s a great movie, it’s because I enjoyed it beyond its inherent qualities. I think that’s how a lot of people feel about Fireproof. Does that hit you right?
andrew mackay
8 Feb 10 at 7:29 am
I did not really consider most of the things you just mentioned which tells you of course that I am far from being an art critic. I think the only “popular” movie I have seen in the last five years is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. So I no doubt disqualify myself from entering this discussion at all.
I will make one observation. My guess (and I emphasis guess) is that the producers of Fireproof dialogue about the same desire for artistic excellence and creativity that you write about but have about $50 million less to bring their ideas into reality. I do applaud them and their church for wading in and wonder if actually being involved in the process is a bit disappointing (by not having the resources to pull off their own ideals or the ideals of others) and a bit eye opening (kind of like marriage or parenting).
Ken
9 Feb 10 at 11:37 am
[...] Andrew Mackay has some excellent thoughts (and chats up the cool film: Primer) answering the question: What should the quality of a movie that reflects/supports/advocates/illustrates a Christian world vi… [...]
A Primer for Christians in the Arts? | S.D. Smith
11 Feb 10 at 6:06 am
Can you explain the first part in a little more detail please?
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