Passion Success: Why Not Establish a New Movie Industry, Dominated By Conservative Christians?

February 25, 2004 | ComtedeMaistre

[ComtedeMaistre]

Mel Gibson's passion movie had a successful opening, and may end up as one of the largest grossing films ever made.

I have a suggestion, that may be of interest to conservative Protestants, Catholics, traditionalist Jews, Mormons, Buddhists, Hindus, and even agnostic Americans who believe in traditional values. You may consider mentioning this on Rush, and in other talk radio venues.

For far too long, we believers in traditional values and old fashioned morality, have done nothing but complain about the dirt that Hollywood markets to our kids. All we do is complain. And we keep demanding that the FCC or some other organization, regulate Hollywood and TV Networks for us. While such actions are commendable, they do not go far enough. The successful opening of Mel Gibson's passion presents a tremendous opportunity.

During the time that he lived, Walt Disney proved that one could make pro-family and pro-American movies, and still make plenty of money. The once respected corporation that Mr. Disney founded, has descended into shame. We need to work towards restoring Mr. Disney's old time magic.

There are a few small and independent conservative Christian studios that make almost exclusively religious films. But they lack the technical expertise, that one associates with a top-rated Hollywood director (probably, now ex-Hollywood) like Mel Gibson. With a few more talented men like Gibson, a whole new film industry could be created in America.

The free market is something that conservatives understand very well. When we could not get our voices in the broadcasting media, we created talk radio. When we could not get our views in the mainstream print media, we sought alternative forums like the Washington Times, New York Post, National Review, Human Events, Free Republic, etc. Now, we stand a chance to make a similar impact on Hollywood. Unless, of course, you think that conservatives cannot be as creative as liberals, in the production of art.

The potential market for such a new movie industry includes not just conservative Christians, but will include non-Christians who believe in traditional values and do not want their children exposed to Hollywood filth. The size of the market is, at least, 150 million traditionalist Americans of all races and religions.

[ComtedeMaistre]

Just a comment on those small conservative Christian Studios. If they diversified their product line, and started producing secular, but family-friendly films, they could reach a broader audience and grow in size.

Mel Gibson might want to sit down with some of those studios and give them a few pointers.

[chicagolady]

WOW Why didn't I think of that!
Folks are always crying for family friendly films.

They have GOT to be excellent though! There is no reason the Christian Films should not be.
We were all excited about the "Left Behid " move that Tim La Haye sunk his money into . I did not see it BUT I heard IT STUNK!!

[supercat]

The problem is that conservative films have to be really good or they'll lose money. By contrast, a liberal film that shows some attractive woman naked is almost guaranteed to at least break even even if it's not any good.

[Dr. Marten]

Foreign Affairs? Really?

[cripplecreek]

There are a few big name actors who made a right turn and found themselves without hollywood wanting to work with them.

Guys like Tom Selleck and Gary Busey come to mind. I'm not sure but i think Bruce willis is in that boat these days as well.

[Argus]

As someone who works in the belly of the beast, I can tell you honestly that it's not that the studios don't want to make these movies - they don't know how, and the "creative community" that supplies their product doesn't either. Good work of any kind is very rare here - when it slips through, it's almost a miracle. Change will come the way it always has - from outside the existing system. New, alternative methods of production and distribution offer a lot of possibilities right now, for everybody. Mel Gibson has shown how to do it - others can do the same.

[hoosiermama]

Have been thinking about this today.....How much federal tax will Gibson pay? How much state tax will he pay? Does anyone have any idea.......? Can GIbson's Passion tax bail out CA?

[ducks1944]

Seen Mel movie today at 2:00, I was humble before seeing it and came our much more humble after seeing it. To read how Jesus died in bible is one thing. But to have it put right before your eyes is very much another. I feel so blessed that Jesus would suffer so much for me and you.
GOS bless us all and go see the movie, it is a blessing.

[chicagolady]

I saw some wonderful excellent films out of Canada called
"Road to Avonlea" Videos. I love them and have spent over 200 dollars buying them up.
They won Emmy awards , they are Christian and I can watch them over and over. I love the messages.

[Unam Sanctam]

I would welcome more well-done historical dramas or depictions of great literature of the ages. But that's just me.

[gnarledmaw]

Ive wondered in the past why a group like Gibson/Willis/Eastwood/Schwartzenegger didnt chuck a few bucks into a pool and start their own studio. Big egos and busy schedules, yes but, they could find someone else to run it and despite being different flavors of conservative, there has to be enough common ground to make it work in a big way.

[cripplecreek]

You just named the potential cast of one great western.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

REAGAN STUDIOS!

[sociotard]

Especially the Secular bit. Take mormon cinema for example. The three best that I've seen were 'Gods Army' 'Two Testements' and 'Singles Ward', not necessarily in that order. However, when they all tended to annoy those of other faiths, or make jokes they didn't get because they didn't know the background. I'll also agree with the quality comment. Ever seen 'the other side of heaven'? *shudder* Of course that was made by disney, but even for them it was bad!

[Freee-dame]

The once respected corporation that Mr. Disney founded, has descended into shame

I just saw Miracle. It's a great. uplifting movie. Maybe Disney is getting the message,

[Tangerine Time Machine]

Check out www.actoneprogram.com .

A very worthy organization, and deserving of prayer and support. The director's blog is here:
www.churchofthemasses.blogspot.com

[Ex-Episcopalian]

"more well-done historical dramas or depictions of great literature....."

Agree completely. I have loved some of the movie adaptations of the Jane Austen novels, e.g., "Emma."