God and Hollywood: Have Movies Improved Since "The Passion of the Christ"

One week ago, beer-drinkin’ believers gathered at Hale’s Brewery in Seattle to discuss The Passion of the Christ, “faith-based filmmaking,” and whether Mel Gibson’s movie heralded a new era for Christian filmmaking (as so many believed it would), or a new era in mediocrity and proselytizing.

Sorry, the beer’s all gone. But the discussion still lives! Listen to Dick Staub, Greg Wright, Jennie Spohr, and me as we talk it over and respond to challenging questions at The Kindlings Muse!

Here’s the summary…

In a recent PBS special titled God and Hollywood (and filmed in part at The Kindlings Muse), Reporter Kim Lawton opened with these words.

In 2004, Mel Gibson’s controversial movie The Passion of the Christ took in more than half a billion dollars. Film studios began looking for the next big hit to rake in what became known as the Passion dollars.

She goes on to say, there was a perception that Hollywood had finally found religion. Numerous new projects were launched.

But four years later, there still aren’t a lot of faith-based blockbusters on the big screen. Since The Passion of the Christ we have heard new terms like faith friendly, family friendly, faith fueled, Christian films, films for Christians…

What is a faith-fueled film?

Who is the Christian Audience and what do they want in a film?

What is happening and should happen between people of faith and Hollywood?

Here to discuss these questions are Jeffrey Overstreet film critic, author of Auralia’s Colors and Through a Screen Darkly, Jennie Spohr, film producer, producer of The Kindlings Muse reviewer with Past the Popcorn and Greg Wright Managing Editor of HollywoodJesus.com and Past the Popcorn.