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==History==
==History==
Films about Latter-day Saints are nothing new. The first feature-length documentary ever made, and the sixth feature-length film made in the United States, was "One Hundred Years of Mormonism" (1913). Films about Mormons, especially lurid pulp fiction-inspired tales of hypnotic missionaries and Western pioneer stories, were a staple of the early silent, black and white film era. With films made primarily by LDS filmmakers for an LDS audience, the "LDS Cinema" movement is distinct from the broader use of Mormon characters in mainstream Hollywood films. The "LDS Cinema" movement began around 1999, when [[Richard Dutcher]]'s company [[Zion Films]] released ''[[God's Army (motion picture)|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.
Films about Latter-day Saints are nothing new. The Church sponsored the production and release of the feature-length films ''[[One Hundred Years of Mormonism]]'' (1913) and ''[[The Life of Nephi]]'' (1914). Films about Mormons, especially lurid pulp fiction-inspired tales of hypnotic missionaries and Western pioneer stories, were a staple of the early silent, black and white film era. With films made primarily by LDS filmmakers for an LDS audience, the "LDS Cinema" movement is distinct from the broader use of Mormon characters in mainstream Hollywood films. The "LDS Cinema" movement began around 1999, when [[Richard Dutcher]]'s company [[Zion Films]] released ''[[God's Army (motion picture)|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 [[Missionary (LDS Church)|LDS missionaries]], and many LDS comedies are sometimes incomprehensible to people outside the Mormon Church, 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 have been thought by some as likely to ensure larger potential markets. However, "accessibility" has not necessarily translated into greater box office earnings or critical acclaim than achieved by the more "insider"-oriented LDS Cinema films.
Although ''God's Army'' dealt with the overtly religious subject of [[Missionary (LDS Church)|LDS missionaries]], and many LDS comedies are sometimes incomprehensible to people outside the Mormon Church, 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 have been thought by some as likely to ensure larger potential markets. However, "accessibility" has not necessarily translated into greater box office earnings or critical acclaim than achieved by the more "insider"-oriented LDS Cinema films.

Revision as of 17:44, 14 June 2010

LDS or Mormon cinema (informally Mollywood, a portmanteau of Mormon and Hollywood) typically refers to films with themes relevant to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, though the terminology has also been used to refer to films that do not necessarily reflect Mormon themes but have been made by Mormon filmmakers. Many of these films are screened extensively within high LDS population centers such as Utah, Idaho, and Arizona and do not regularly reach mainstream viewers in other parts of the world.

LDS cinema films might be considered distinct from LDS Church movies like Legacy and Testaments, since 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 typically have LDS themes and are often marketed especially toward Latter-day Saints, though there has been an effort to "cross over" into more mainstream themes.

History

Films about Latter-day Saints are nothing new. The Church sponsored the production and release of the feature-length films One Hundred Years of Mormonism (1913) and The Life of Nephi (1914). Films about Mormons, especially lurid pulp fiction-inspired tales of hypnotic missionaries and Western pioneer stories, were a staple of the early silent, black and white film era. With films made primarily by LDS filmmakers for an LDS audience, the "LDS Cinema" movement is distinct from the broader use of Mormon characters in mainstream Hollywood films. The "LDS 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 Mormon Church, 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 have been thought by some as likely to ensure larger potential markets. However, "accessibility" has not necessarily translated into greater box office earnings or critical acclaim than achieved by the more "insider"-oriented LDS Cinema films.

LDS comedies in particular have been panned by critics, who have branded most efforts thus far inaccessible and unfunny to those outside the intended market. Such movies have frequently been perceived as overly reliant upon the audience's extensive knowledge of LDS practices and LDS cultural norms.

MPAA ratings

One aspect of the culture of LDS cinema is heightened concern over MPAA film ratings. Many Mormons feel disinclined to view movies rated R, so LDS film producers risk greatly diminished revenue for exceeding a PG or PG-13 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. Some critics[who?] leveled a common complaint about the MPAA – that it more harshly rates movies not from the major film studios. 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. Producers edited the movie to receive PG-13 for commercial distribution.

Companies

Films

Drama
Romance
Comedy

Several comedies, mostly produced by Dave Hunter, have also been released. Because the humor of these films often relies on specifically Utah-centric Latter Day Saint culture, they tend to have a smaller audioence than the other LDS sub-genres, even among Mormon viewers.

  • The Singles Ward (2002) – The title refers to an LDS congregation (ward) composed only of single adults. A comedy with romantic aspects.
  • The R.M. (2003) – About the experiences of a returned missionary.
  • The Work and the Story (2003) – A mockumentary 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 polar opposite home teachers that "fulfill" their responsibility on the last day of the month. "Home teaching" is the LDS practice of a home teaching companionship – a holder of the Melchizedek Priesthood and a 14-year old teacher or older – visiting and teaching families in their ward each month.
  • Baptists at our Barbecue (2004) – Longfellow – consistently called "Longwinded" by the inhabitants – 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. Based on a novel by Robert Farrell Smith.
  • Sons of Provo (2004) – Mockumentary about an LDS boy-band named Everclean.
  • Mobsters and Mormons (2005) – After testifying against his mob boss, Carmine "The Beans" Zindelli Pasquale and his family are put in the Witness Protection Program in "Happy Valley", Utah, resulting in significant culture clash.
  • Suits on the Loose (2005) – Two escapees from a youth detention camp in the Mojave Desert assume the identities of two Mormon missionaries whose car they stole.
  • Down and Derby (2006) – Slapstick comedy about the lengths, and depths, to which some fathers will go to "help" their sons win the Cub Scout pinewood derby. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a strong supporter of Boy Scouts of America including the Cub Scouts programs, although no overtly LDS themes are present in the movie.
  • Church Ball (2006) – In the last year of a basketball league, a church team does not want to place last again. The storyline centers around the juxtaposition between a desire to win at all costs and an expectation for sportsmanlike conduct in church sports.
Fantasy/Adventure
Documentary

Notes

  1. ^ The Shadow of Light at IMDb
  2. ^ Handcart at IMDb
  3. ^ Happy Valley
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