Thursday, October 14, 2010

Program 30: Children of God

Another favorite among ImageOut's programming team, Children of God marks the first time that we've screened a film from the Bahamas. In this film, a beautiful and touching romance is underscored by the fact that sometimes gorgeous scenery can mask the ugly bigotry that lies beneath the surface.

48 comments:

Stefan said...

Another wonderful film. Yep, the programming committee really scored.

OK so somebody already explained to me the part at the end. The cute "skinny white Bahamian boy" really died at the end, at what we saw were the "last 5 minutes of brain activity". Ah yes, now it makes sense as it was explained in the film.

But I'm still wondering, do you know why the "older dude" stabbed him? Probably because he couldn't handle him being gay but I thought he was "the nice one."

Also, was this based on actual events? Was there recently a "save the Bahamas" campaign? Did anyone, esp. among those who are older than me, did anyone think the "religious wife" seemed like Anita Bryant?

Woody said...

I liked the film, but wasn't huge on the ending (which was so super-foreshadowed that it was obviously coming). The story line didn't resolve quite as one would have expected it, but it's clear it's headed that way in the end for the most part.

The message it sends is one I've been trying to send out to all religiously active gay people: You need to stand up IN your church as much as you stand up FOR your church. Many gay religious people I know are very touchy/vocal about their religious beliefs in gay circles, but remain very quiet about gay issues in their religious circles. To make a change in the churches, we need to stand up and say something when we're condemned from the pulpit. Do you think the pastor in this movie would have said anything if the "child of God" had not stood?

I have to say, overall it was a beautiful story. I just wish the ending had been a little more uplifting.

Anonymous said...

I thought this was an absolutely beautiful movie. It was compelling, and you really felt sorrow for all the characters; yes, even the minister who cheated on his wife with men. While he is an obvious antagonist to the story, we have to recognize the desperation that he faces as well. I would be lying if I said that I never lied to myself about my sexuality when I was first grasping it. I'd be a liar if I said that I never lied about being gay or maybe didn't make my sexual orientation 100% clear. These characters are chained down by religious hypocrites who would rather have the world suffer with them because that's how God would supposedly want it.

Yes, it is a heavy film. Yes, bad things happen to good people. Yes, it made me cry. However, when he is in his own "heaven" dream, it is absolutely astounding and breathe-taking. I know we'd all like to think that life is one big romantic comedy, but sometimes it isn't. Like ying and yang, or a half moon cookie, which I love, we have to take the dark with the light.

Highly recommend this film!

Rick P said...

This was a fantastic film. It showed the subject of violence in our community as being world wide, not just confined to where we live.
I thought the actors in the film were very natural and believable. They really sold the story (the ending could be seen from the beginning) but it was still a compelling journey.
It was fantastic to see the wife of the anti-gay minister confronted by the main character during the meeting to "Save the Bahamas." That is when that is needed. People who espouse these beliefs need to know what happens to real people when these words and ideas are put into action, and not just spouted into the vacuum of their church or like-minded groups.

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Well developed storyline. Looks as if the Fundamentalist Christians are everywhere, even in a tropical paradise!

A few poor edits, otherwise a fantastic film. Great diverse film choices this year. Keep on doing what you do.

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Very good and inspiring movie. Should be shown in schools.

Tammy F of West Henrietta said...

From the ballots:
The movie made me cry in many places.

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Loved it! Absolutely great!

M Hardy said...

From the ballots:
Best movie so far!

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Tense, Troubling, Powerful.

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Slow start but I really liked it.

Herb said...

From the ballots:
Excellent but still needs work.

Jamie W said...

From the ballots:
Beautiful, moving.
Thank you!

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Excellent. True to life.

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Excellent. That was heart-breaking!

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
What a good movie!

Aatis L said...

From the ballots:
Excellent.
A necessary interracial gay romance.

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Excellent.
A bit slow.
Beautiful cinematography.

Tremain H said...

From the ballots:
I was really touched by the film. I'm going through the same thing. Thank you so much.

May God Bless.

Masisi said...

From the ballots:
Loved the movie.
Hated the chairs (very uncomfortable).

Michael's response:
Sorry about the seats at Little 1. Please help them by becoming a member or patronizing the films shown there. It's going to be an expensive undertaking when they do tackle chair replacement. (Not sure if they will or when.)

Dennis F said...

From the ballots:
Very well done and very relevant for today. I wonder which minister who preaches hatred for gays is going to get caught with his pants around his ankles having gay sex next?

Rudy L said...

From the ballots:
This movie is great and I loved it!

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Stunning and intense.

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Just a fair movie for me. So tired of the killing.

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Sometimes I felt like this was a propaganda at a Unitarian Church educational.

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
WOW! Very timely. Thank you for including it.

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Very nice cinematography - liked the sotry between Jonny and Romeo of course, and appreciated Mojo. Could have done without the Lena story. Used focal distance changes too much. It got distracting.

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Top Ten. So well written and acted. And sad this shit still goes on.

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Loved all the stories going on at one time -- the hypocrisy was so real. Really well done. Liked it a lot.

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Beautiful movie - so well done with a timely story. Thank you for bringing this to Rochester.

Julian B said...

From the ballots:
... went far and beyond what I expected. Great choice!!!

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
One of the best movies in the festival!

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Very profound.
Good actors.
Neat setting.
Good script.

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
It "floats"

Michael D said...

From the ballots:
Sad and beautiful. WOW! Probably one of the best movies I've seen in years.

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Best film yet! It deserves all the accolades it has received at other festivals.

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Well done movie.
Sad people!
But true and honest!
I am a christian in heritage but despise the twisted thinking.

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Beautiful setting. Good depiction of the various outlooks and difficulties. I'm glad not all religious people were portrayed as bigoted.

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Excellent.

The two male leads were excellent esp the Bahamanian man. The female lead was not so persuasive.

Floating sequence did not fit after the underwater swimming.

No pure villains.

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Excellent. More of the same! What issue wasn't in here?

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
The construct of intolerance is built sensitivity, leading to the inevitable consequence of dehumanization.

Beautifully filmed and acted - slow, deliberate and emotionally very powerful.

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Hate can only lead to destruction. Interesting portrayal of the dichotomies in Bahamian society.

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Please continue showing movies that tell stories from the GLBT communities of color.

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Excellent. NOT simplistic. Very multi-layered and multi-dimensional.

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Good points.
Good story.
Cool soundtrack.

Bill W said...

From the ballots:
Excellent.
When will they figure it out?

Thomas W said...

From the ballots:
One of the best. Should have been Opening Night!

Anonymous said...

From the ballots:
Excellent.
Gave me perspective that I did not have before.