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.
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.
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48 comments:
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?
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.
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!
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.
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.
From the ballots:
Very good and inspiring movie. Should be shown in schools.
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The movie made me cry in many places.
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Loved it! Absolutely great!
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Best movie so far!
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Tense, Troubling, Powerful.
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Slow start but I really liked it.
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Excellent but still needs work.
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Beautiful, moving.
Thank you!
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Excellent. True to life.
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Excellent. That was heart-breaking!
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What a good movie!
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Excellent.
A necessary interracial gay romance.
From the ballots:
Excellent.
A bit slow.
Beautiful cinematography.
From the ballots:
I was really touched by the film. I'm going through the same thing. Thank you so much.
May God Bless.
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.)
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?
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This movie is great and I loved it!
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Stunning and intense.
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Just a fair movie for me. So tired of the killing.
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Sometimes I felt like this was a propaganda at a Unitarian Church educational.
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WOW! Very timely. Thank you for including it.
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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.
From the ballots:
Top Ten. So well written and acted. And sad this shit still goes on.
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Loved all the stories going on at one time -- the hypocrisy was so real. Really well done. Liked it a lot.
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Beautiful movie - so well done with a timely story. Thank you for bringing this to Rochester.
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... went far and beyond what I expected. Great choice!!!
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One of the best movies in the festival!
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Very profound.
Good actors.
Neat setting.
Good script.
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It "floats"
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Sad and beautiful. WOW! Probably one of the best movies I've seen in years.
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Best film yet! It deserves all the accolades it has received at other festivals.
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Well done movie.
Sad people!
But true and honest!
I am a christian in heritage but despise the twisted thinking.
From the ballots:
Beautiful setting. Good depiction of the various outlooks and difficulties. I'm glad not all religious people were portrayed as bigoted.
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.
From the ballots:
Excellent. More of the same! What issue wasn't in here?
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.
From the ballots:
Hate can only lead to destruction. Interesting portrayal of the dichotomies in Bahamian society.
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Please continue showing movies that tell stories from the GLBT communities of color.
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Excellent. NOT simplistic. Very multi-layered and multi-dimensional.
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Good points.
Good story.
Cool soundtrack.
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Excellent.
When will they figure it out?
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One of the best. Should have been Opening Night!
From the ballots:
Excellent.
Gave me perspective that I did not have before.
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