For almost twenty years, Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ was the highest-grossing R-rated film. This portrayal of Jesus Christ’s final hours resonated with audiences of assorted faiths worldwide – reaffirming what a Christian-driven narrative can do. Recently, that film has been dethroned by Deadpool and Wolverine, reflecting the evolving popular culture.
This shift speaks volumes in regards to the need for a recent generation of Christian movies. The surpassing of a movie about Christ is greater than a statistical fact. It serves as a call for Christians to re-engage with the cultural arena with renewed vigor. As Christians, we must always be motivated by this recent development. It should spark motion throughout the body of Christ and proceed to empower a recent generation of filmmakers who’re willing to be daring for the Kingdom of God.
A call to Christian filmmakers
Even in a media landscape that’s dominated by secular content, audiences still have the capability to attach with well-crafted Christian stories. This was demonstrated recently at an event called Teenstreet Europe, a gathering of Christian youth from all around the world. There, my team and I presented a primary take a look at JESUS, an animated film in regards to the lifetime of Christ. The response was overwhelmingly positive, even ending with an impromptu chant of, “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!” It was amazing to see and listen to the reception of a movie about Christ. The teenagers in attendance were excited to see a gospel-centered movie they might enjoy and share with friends from different languages and backgrounds.
The response to JESUS underscores a chance and a challenge for Christian filmmakers: to tap into the need amongst audiences for Christ-centered stories and create content that connects. The viewers are there, waiting for gospel-led stories; we just must bring them to life on screen.
Adapting while remaining consistent
As we craft these stories, we must ensure they’re fit for the aim. Christian movies must evolve — not in message, but in method. We must strive to share stories that talk to the realities of contemporary life and address contemporary audiences, and that accomplish that with creativity, authenticity, and excellence. This not only involves high production value and compelling storytelling but in addition an understanding of the cultural contexts from which audiences are experiencing the content.
Christian movies should embrace the complexities of latest life, delivering narratives which are each relevant and redemptive. By creatively communicating timeless truths, filmmakers can engage audiences in recent and impactful ways, whether through animation, drama, or other types of storytelling. As we produce our film, JESUS, we remain mindful to make sure it’s compatible with the newest technology.
Engaging a recent generation
Our experience at Teenstreet Europe also highlights the necessity for Christian storytellers to grasp and interact with younger audiences. Today’s youth are bombarded with media — a 24-hour news cycle, constant stimulation on social media, and a never-ending stream of entertainment online and in theatres. If we hope to succeed in them, we must meet them where they’re by utilizing the language and mediums they understand and revel in.
We need well-produced, daring, relevant, and thought-provoking movies that provide not only entertainment but in addition an exploration of what it means to live a lifetime of faith in a broken world.
The power of storytelling
The proven fact that The Passion of the Christ has been surpassed on the box office should encourage, not dishearten, the Christian community. For centuries, the Church has been on the forefront of the humanities, creating a number of the most beautiful and profound works in history. From Renaissance paintings and stained-glass art to the architecture of centuries-old cathedrals, to texts just like the Book of Kells, to hymns and Christian music which have served to shape each sacred and secular spaces, Christianity and art have been interwoven for hundreds of years, they usually should remain so.
Content consumption is at an all-time high, with more people watching movies than ever, because of streaming services. Christians can and may harness these services to share the gospel and stories that reflect the sunshine of Christ in a world that needs it.
Let us not lament the rise of movies like Deadpool. Instead, let’s use it as motivation to create something greater. The world is watching–we must always give them something truly value seeing.
Geoff Peters, Global Marketing Director of JESUS, a recent, animated family film in regards to the lifetime of Jesus designed to succeed in families, recent generations, and folks of all ages with the story of Jesus. To discover more in regards to the JESUS film, visit jesus.film
