The landscape of Mormon cinema

Heard this article on NPR last night.

Dave Hunter, co-founder of Utah-based Halestorm Entertainment, figures that at least 10 percent of the 5 million Latter-day Saints living in the United States would be willing to see Mormon-centered films.

"If that boils down to 200,000 or 300,000 people that will actually pay for that, that will justify our box and us doing it," Hunter says.

Indeed, Halestorm's film The Singles Ward played in more than 160 theaters and reaped close to $1 million in profits ...

It's fascinating to think that, as it becomes easier to make independently-produced films, and small production films, we'll see more movies that are made to reach a specific target audience.

Can a feel-good film based on the shared experiences of Unitarians be far behind? How about this: "Spirit of Life": the story of a young UU's coming of age in O.W.L. class. (Can't say whether the UU is male, female or transgendered, as all of them have an equal stake in learning to embrace their own unique identities.) No, no, I'm already off to a bad start.

Comments

[jo]

Warning: stereotyping denegrating statements coming: But wouldn't the mormon audience be, like, 50% under the age of 3? Their movies would have to include a lot of people falling down. And potty humor. Heh! I said potty! POOPOO!

[pam]

The way the guy spoke, it seemed he had his ticket-buying demographics pretty well nailed down. But I've heard Mormon humor before - (warning: blatant stereotypes to follow) it all centers around green jello, Idaho, casseroles and SUVs. I'm happy to let the humor remain inexplicable. What did you think of the idea of a UU movie?

[Anthony]

My idea for a UU-oriented movie runs more like this:
A vicious drug-dealing, racist, sexist, homophobic, non-recyling sociopath is adopted by a UU Congregation. Initially hostile to his (the only non-offensive casting for this part would have to be a str8 white blonde/blue male with impeccable Aryan features and a lot of tatoos) "new family" the sociopath comes to understand the virtues of tolerance and inclusivity. Fueled by the almost unending acceptance of his "new family" the young sociopath burns down the UU church while the members stand by applauding his brave, unashamedly secterian approach to spirituality. The movie ends with a hot dog (tofu of course) roast by the embers of the church as the young sociopath viciously kills all his fellow UU members while obscenely praising the joys of thick steaks and biker chicks.
Think we can get Brad Pitt to play the thug?

[pam]

Well, um, it lacks that feel-good "indominatable human spirit" ending we need if we're going to get Susan and Tim involved in this project. Though I've already heard from Eminem this morning about the protagonist role.