Too Harsh? Or…

…movie reviews: ______ didn’t have people living Christian lives. Therefore, ______ stinks. Also, there is swearing.

I saw this tweet yesterday from @cinexcellence: “WORLD magazine movie reviews: ______ didn’t have people living Christian lives. Therefore, ______ stinks. Also, there is swearing.”

I’ve been on the receiving end of good and bad reviews for my film work. In some cases, Christian reviews do seem to take this rubber-stamp, reactionary approach. In other cases, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by reviews – from very conservative audiences – that let me know that they understood the film, what we were trying to accomplish, and why it contained ‘objectionable’ elements. [“The Enemy God” has nudity, violence, drug use, occult practices – the whole deal – within the context of a highly redemptive and God-honoring story.]

My favorite is when we get something like a ‘highly recommended’ but a 2 out of 5 rating. The ratings are based on content elements that may offend people. But the film is excellently done and compelling! I think that’s an OK place to be.

Islam’s Answer to MTV – NYTimes.com

Irony, or tragedy? My peers in the Muslim world are creating broadcast media to counteract the influence of the “Christian” West.

"Your Voice Is Heard" - Muslim Pop Idol?

Irony, or tragedy? My peers in the Muslim world are creating broadcast media to counteract the influence of the “Christian” West.  When I read this article from the NYTimes Magazine, and watch the video below, I can see myself saying similar things in my Christian context. It’s about values.

Imagine MTV without the gratuitous gyration and skin, and with videos about family, public service, Palestine and, above all, salvation. In trying to make Islam relevant to youth, 4Shbab is part of a recent trend that, from Cairo to Kuala Lumpur, has inspired restaurants with Islamic themes, Islamic entertainment centers and even Islamic water parks and beaches. 4Shbab’s mission seems to be communicating that there is a middle ground between the rigid Islam of stern-faced elders and jihadists on one hand and the louche ways of the West on the other. On 4Shbab, you can be traditional and modern at once, Islamic and hip, pious and fun.

Be sure to watch the video clip “Impressario of Islam” on the sidebar of the article.

Here’s a link to the whole article in NY Times Magazine. “Islam’s Answer to MTV – NYTimes.com“

Forming Artists to Reform Culture « StoneWorks

Forming Artists to Reform Culture – We’re pleased to be connected with Stoneworks, an organization that shares our passion for creative expression of faith.

We’re pleased to be connected with Stoneworks, an organization that shares our passion for creative expression and the desparate need of our world to hear from artists who can speak in compelling and authentic ways about the redemption we have in Christ. Here’s how Stoneworks describes their vision.:

Forming Artists to Reform Culture

StoneWorks is a global arts initiative for cultural restoration and the recovery of the imagination in the life and mission of the church.

StoneWorks exists to articulate a global vision for Christians in the arts, to clarify the biblical and theological mandate for the arts, to affirm what artists are sensing that God is doing through the arts around the world, and to call Christians to be a part of it.

While I was away in Africa recently, a new link to our ministry, 10X Productions, was created on the new Stoneworks web page. We appreciate the opportunity to connect with others through their network, and encourage you to check out the other artists and organizations who are doing amazing things around the world.

Here’s the link to our post on Stoneworks-arts.org: 10X Productions « StoneWorks.

How Mobile Technology is a Game Changer for Developing Africa

I find myself constantly amazed by how technology is permeating even the most remote places on the earth.

I’m think pretty well-traveled, but I find myself constantly amazed by how technology is permeating even the most remote places on the earth. Of course, there are still very isolated cultures, but our image of places like Africa may be way off.

I saw this article the other day that talks about how different organizations are using mobile phone technology for education and development work in Africa. You may be surprised at what they are doing in places that are far from urban tech centers.

Read about it here: How Mobile Technology is a Game Changer for Developing Africa.

Related to this, here’s a link to explain Why I’m Going To Tanzania (leaving today) from an earlier post here on this blog.

The Second Trail – God Behind The Scenes

It was about a dream fulfilled and a God who made it all come together. I couldn’t put it down!”

The Second Trail
The Second Trail - Behind the scenes of The Enemy God

“This book is an exciting adventure in the art of filmmaking in a challenging environment and among diverse cultures.  It was about a dream fulfilled and a God who made it all come together.  I couldn’t put it down!” – Lita Stang

Sometimes, the stories behind a film equal the drama and emotion of the film itself. The making of our film, The Enemy God, has those kinds of stories behind it. Now, in a new book, Amber Castagna, one of the crew members on the film, captures the drama, the joys, the pain, and the miracles we saw in bringing one of God’s stories to the screen.

Amber has written her own account of the film in this new book, The Second Trail. We’re happy to be making it available alongside the DVD of the movie and some other books that tell about what God has done among the Yanomamö of Venezuela. You will be amazed and encouraged by this book!

Click here to check out the book: The Second Trail – The Making of A Yanomamö Film « The Enemy God – The Movie.