LDS cinema
LDS or Mormon cinema refers to motion pictures with themes relevant to Latter-day Saints. Many of these films are screened extensively within high LDS population centers such as Utah, and do not regularly reach mainstream viewers in other parts of the world. LDS cinema films are distinct from LDS Church movies like Legacy and Testaments, because they are commercial and not produced for teaching or proselytizing LDS doctrine. LDS cinema is usually produced and directed by Latter-day Saints. The films have LDS themes and they are typically marketed especially toward Latter-day Saints. This differentiates LDS cinema from films merely produced by Latter-day Saints like Napoleon Dynamite, or films about LDS themes from an outside perspective, such as Latter Days.
History of LDS cinema
The Mormon cinema movement began around 1999, when Richard Dutcher's company Zion Films released God's Army commercially. The film, which was produced on a budget of $300,000, grossed about $2.5 million at the box office and many more millions of dollars worth of video purchases. Observing the market success of God's Army, many other LDS studios began producing films. Although God's Army dealt with the overtly religious subject of LDS missionaries, and many LDS comedies are sometimes incomprehensible to people outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a growing trend moves toward making LDS-themed movies more broadly accessible. The acclaimed World War II movie Saints and Soldiers is perhaps the most successful crossover LDS film to date. More accessible films ensure larger potential markets. LDS comedies in particular have been panned by critics as inaccessible and unfunny to those outside the intended market. Such movies depend on the audience's extensive knowledge of LDS practices, and often LDS cultural norms almost unique to Utah.
LDS cinema and MPAA ratings
One unique aspect of LDS cinema is heightened concern over MPAA film ratings. Many Latter-day Saints feel disinclined to view movies rated PG-13 and especially R. This standard has never been part of official LDS Church doctrine, perhaps in part because the MPAA is a United States institution irrelevant to Latter-day Saints overseas. Furthermore, the ratings are somewhat arbitrary and correlate poorly with LDS values. Nonetheless, LDS film producers risk diminished revenue for exceeding a PG rating. One PG-13 film, The Book of Mormon Movie, Vol. 1 garnered its rating for depicting a decapitation that occurs in the Book of Mormon. Producers defended the scene as essential, and some critics leveled a common complaint about the MPAA—that it more harshly rates movies not from the major studioss. Nonetheless, producers re-edited the movie to earn a PG rating for DVD distribution. Another film, Saints and Soldiers received an R-rating prior to film festival screening in spite of being very mild compared to other R-rated films. Producers edited the movie to receive PG-13 for commercial distribution.
LDS cinema companiesZion FilmsHalestorm EntertainmentExcel Entertainment Group
LDS cinema moviesDramaGod's Army — 1999. First Mormon cinema film directed by Richard Dutcher.Brigham City — 2001. A murder mystery also by Dutcher.The Other Side of Heaven — 2001. Not by an LDS studio, but often counted as LDS cinema.The Book of Mormon Movie, Vol. 1: The Journey — 2003. Ambitious though critically panned movie about the Book of Mormon.The Shadow of Light — 2002. Two young men break their truck in rural Utah and pick up work to pay the repair bill. They and the bishop's daughter get involved in solving a local mystery from 1947. (Direct-to-DVD release.)The Best Two Years — 2003. An LDS missionary's experience in Holland. Based on the play The Best Two Years of My Life.Saints and Soldiers — 2004. A World War II movie produced by Excel that has muted LDS overtones and significant mainstream appeal.Pillar of Light: The Work and The Glory — Releasing on Thanksgiving in Utah; nationwide in January 2005. With a $7.4 million budget, it is to be the most expensive LDS cinema film to date, and among the most anticipated. Based on Gerald Lund's LDS and historical fiction series The Work and the Glory.God's Army 2: States of Grace — Forthcoming.
RomanceJack Weyland's Charly — 2002. Based on a successful LDS fiction novel.Pride and Prejudice — 2003. Modern adaptation of Jane Austen novel Pride and Prejudice.
Comedy
Several comedies, mostly produced by Dave Hunter, have also been released. Because these film's humor often relies on Utah-centric Latter-day Saint culture, they tend to have a smaller niche than the other LDS sub-genres.The Singles Ward — 2002. Title refers to an LDS congregation (ward) composed only of single adults. Comedy with romantic aspects.The R.M — 2003. About the experiences of a returned missionary.The Work and the Story — 2003. Mocumentary about LDS cinema when Richard Dutcher (fictionally) disappears. Written, produced and directed by Nathan Smith Jones; co-produced by Miriam Smith.The Home Teachers — 2004. Slapstick comedy about particular hometeachers that "fulfill" their responsibility on the last day of the month. "Hometeaching" is the LDS practice of hometeaching companionship (a pair of Elders) visiting and teaching families in their ward each month.Baptists at our Barbecue — 2004. Longfellow is a small town that is religiously divided equally between Baptists and Mormons. A newcomer becomes the tie-breaker. Rather than tilt the scales he decides to bridge the religious divide by organizing an all-faiths barbecue.Sons of Provo — 2005. Mocumentary about an LDS boy-band named Everclean.
External linksLDS cinemaLDS Cinema Gets Better and Gets a Bum Rating — about MPAA ratings given the LDS cinema films
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