Overall the gamble is will that part in the film will it be used to help connect people to the core message or just turn people away from the film entirely? Is it worth keeping in those scenes? I’d say no. You can still have a film about a couple falling in deeper love then getting married and exploring a relationship together without fan service.
Christian movies don't need to be edgier they just need to be *better*: Realistic characters, engaging and well-written stories, not shying away from difficult issues, and a willingness to leave some questions unanswered. Maybe take some tips from old movies during the time of the Hays Code–they were subjected to heavy content rules and censorship but they still had engaging dialogue, believable characters, and interesting stories that touched on edgy topics.
From my experience, I have learned to keep clean stories clean, but don't water down edgy stories. You just got to let them be what they need to be to fit their purpose.
I would honestly like to see that in Christian movies. I'm N-O-T saying we need a Wolf of Wall Street with a Christian message, but we can show more reality.
If a Christian story is about how to avoid a marriage that isn't God-centered (like Fireproof), don't just show a blank computer screen. HINT at nudity.
Or, if a spouse is unfaithful, show them getting out of bed with a different person. We don't need a whole erotica moment, but getting out of bed in underwear would do the trick.
Not all Christian stories need to be PG. We can show more sin and its consequences and still get a Christian message across.
PS: My favorite Christian movie, The Apostle, shows a clothed woman, married to a Pastor, making out with another man in their bed. It's a PG-13 movie. It's very possible to show infidelity without showing too little or too much.
I think that topics that occur in the real world should definitely not be off-limits for Christian media. Even the Bible describes the depths of human depravity in no uncertain terms. But they do not need to be explicit or titillating, especially in matters of sex and violence, to discuss those matters. And there’s a very long history of Christian books that walk this line just fine. As an example, The Hiding Place displays some of the absolute depths of human depravity in Corrie’s experience in Nazi imprisonment in a prison and later a concentration camp. But it’s clearly written to show how horrid things were, not to excite the reader.
New thought: a pay-per-mo Christian, mega-church style 'PornCross'. Upload your own work! Our slogan: "God won't know…but the next pew might!" I promise to credit you with helping me think of this.🤣
Ah yes, the idea that including sex will make your film more mature. An inherently juvenile, immature thought. Just cut this crap out. You're not going to get the hip young millennial audience by having sex in your Christian film, you'll get it by appealing to things they care about. Not things you think they care about, things they actually care about.
Having a halfway decent script and dialogue will go a long way too.
There's "edgy" and then there's controversial topics that can be handled with respect. I don't think Christian movies should be "edgy", but they should speak certain topics with empathy as well as their ideas. It can be done; it's just respect for the audience.
Tough topics with Kevin!
Christian movies just trying to gain money through sex. Smh…. Shame.
Overall the gamble is will that part in the film will it be used to help connect people to the core message or just turn people away from the film entirely? Is it worth keeping in those scenes? I’d say no. You can still have a film about a couple falling in deeper love then getting married and exploring a relationship together without fan service.
Christian movies don't need to be edgier they just need to be *better*: Realistic characters, engaging and well-written stories, not shying away from difficult issues, and a willingness to leave some questions unanswered. Maybe take some tips from old movies during the time of the Hays Code–they were subjected to heavy content rules and censorship but they still had engaging dialogue, believable characters, and interesting stories that touched on edgy topics.
From my experience, I have learned to keep clean stories clean, but don't water down edgy stories. You just got to let them be what they need to be to fit their purpose.
I would honestly like to see that in Christian movies. I'm N-O-T saying we need a Wolf of Wall Street with a Christian message, but we can show more reality.
If a Christian story is about how to avoid a marriage that isn't God-centered (like Fireproof), don't just show a blank computer screen. HINT at nudity.
Or, if a spouse is unfaithful, show them getting out of bed with a different person. We don't need a whole erotica moment, but getting out of bed in underwear would do the trick.
Not all Christian stories need to be PG. We can show more sin and its consequences and still get a Christian message across.
PS: My favorite Christian movie, The Apostle, shows a clothed woman, married to a Pastor, making out with another man in their bed. It's a PG-13 movie. It's very possible to show infidelity without showing too little or too much.
I was not prepared for the in-Coming joke right at the beginning 💀💀💀
I think that topics that occur in the real world should definitely not be off-limits for Christian media. Even the Bible describes the depths of human depravity in no uncertain terms. But they do not need to be explicit or titillating, especially in matters of sex and violence, to discuss those matters. And there’s a very long history of Christian books that walk this line just fine. As an example, The Hiding Place displays some of the absolute depths of human depravity in Corrie’s experience in Nazi imprisonment in a prison and later a concentration camp. But it’s clearly written to show how horrid things were, not to excite the reader.
At first I wasn't ok with this movie, but I came around.
Are you actually wearing Shorts™️? Yeah, a small % should just include sexy stuff – like ordinary movies.
New thought: a pay-per-mo Christian, mega-church style 'PornCross'. Upload your own work! Our slogan: "God won't know…but the next pew might!" I promise to credit you with helping me think of this.🤣
Ah yes, the idea that including sex will make your film more mature. An inherently juvenile, immature thought. Just cut this crap out. You're not going to get the hip young millennial audience by having sex in your Christian film, you'll get it by appealing to things they care about. Not things you think they care about, things they actually care about.
Having a halfway decent script and dialogue will go a long way too.
For those who are "conservative" G-d saw Adam and Eve naked does that make Him sinful? David danced naked and G-d saw him righteous.
But in all seriousness it just boils down to the intention of the film and it's core message to the audience… and I'll leave it at that.
There's "edgy" and then there's controversial topics that can be handled with respect. I don't think Christian movies should be "edgy", but they should speak certain topics with empathy as well as their ideas. It can be done; it's just respect for the audience.
I know know, the Bible is pretty edgy. But I suppose how/if we portray that on the screen can be borderline sinful.
Unhinged Kevin is my favorite Kevin
The Bible is rated R, but The Bible did not glorify the sin it describes (unlike Hollywood)