Christian Filmmakers & Hollywood

I read an article last week that begins with the following headline: “More on Christian Movies in Hollywood.” This headline implies that Christian filmmakers are expected to work with Hollywood. That’s just the way it’s supposed to be, according to the site master. He is a filmmaker, and has let on numerous times that he sees it necessary for Christian filmmakers to work in conjunction with Hollywood. To some Christians, it is not only necessary, but it is also desirable to work with Hollywood. It’s a Christian filmmaker’s dream to land a three picture deal with one of the major studios.

Someone please tell me, why is it that Christians are supposed to join Hollywood to make “faith-based” films? When Christians work in/with Hollywood, we will undoubtedly work on Hollywood’s terms. This will always result in compromise at some level, because it forces Christians to bow to the wishes of pagans. Why are we choosing to eat scraps from the pagans’ table?

Unequally Yoked

2 Corinthians 6:14, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”

Scripture makes it clear that Christians are not to be yoking with unbelievers. This verse is most often used in reference to marriage, which is a proper application. However, this verse can (and should) also be applied to other things, such as business alliances. I’m not sure how strictly we should apply this verse to Christian partnerships with Hollywood, but there are certainly some instances when Christians have “yoked” with unbelievers in Hollywood, and this is wrong.

A Counter-culture Movement

There is a movement in development that is poised to eventually topple the mammoth Hollywood system. This movement is called the independent Christian film industry. It is still in its infant stage of development, but it is a burgeoning industry. Each year, dozens of Christian filmmakers are kissing Hollywood goodbye.

Doug Phillips, founder of the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival, has written an article which is excerpted below:

The Independent Christian Film Revolution

We live on the threshold of a revolution in independent Christian filmmaking. For the first time in more than half a century, Christians have the opportunity to change the terms of debate for this crucial medium of cultural influence by challenging the Hollywood giant. Like David’s sling before Goliath’s enormous sword, the weapons of this warfare are unconventional by industry standards, but when wielded with accuracy and faith, they can strike a devastating blow to the modern pagan elites who seek to crush the very witness of God in this nation. At least four factors fuel this revolution in filmmaking:

First, America needs a permanent break from Hollywood. The need for alternatives to “Babylon Central” is not only recognized within the Christian community, but by typical Americans who are disenchanted with the present state of affairs. The domination of the film industry by Christ-hating, family-denigrating elites, and the general absence of family-affirming, spiritually truthful media — at a time when the family is being redefined out of existence — has created a vacuum in our culture. Christians with a spirit of innovation who take the field and step up to the plate with courage and wisdom have an opportunity to fill this vacuum by communicating life, hope, and beauty from God’s perspective.

Second, we can market our products without selling our souls to the enemy. In the past, the only way a film could be financially viable was by getting the blessing of the Hollywood studios that influenced the distribution process. At bare minimum, this has usually meant sacrificing the spiritual and creative integrity of the project. The growing availability of alternative distribution networks means that independent Christian filmmakers have the ability to encourage the Body of Christ and influence the culture as a whole, while generating a dollar return sufficient to finance their projects.

Read the article in its entirety here.