gunns
04-30-2007, 08:53 AM
For anyone interested. As a jack Mormon and someone who lives in Utah I'll be interested to see the take.
Mormon History, Controversy The Focus Of New Film
(KUTV) An extensive documentary on the Mormon religion – which took years to produce and even attracted the help of the LDS Church – is about to air on television. But some viewers may find it controversial, since the film examines all aspects of the Church’s history – including certain things that may be regarded as derogatory.
It is no small production. In its entirety, the film – which is titled “The Mormons” – runs more than four hours long. It will be split in two parts to be broadcast on Public Broadcast Television (PBS) this week as part of a "Frontline" presentation.
“The Mormons,” made by producer Helen Whitney, tells a comprehensive story of the American-born religion which, historically, has seen its fair share of international coverage.
But never before has the LDS faith been seen quite this way – as a prominent, sometimes mysterious, often misunderstood religion. And what’s more, is that the LDS Church actually assisted in its creation.
Several years in the making, the film was created from hundreds of hours of video and archive footage, photographs, documents, recorded history and the expertise of scholars well-versed in the LDS faith.
One such expert is Ken Verdoia, associate director at Utah PBS station KUED. He has explored and researched Mormon history for more than 30 years, and though not a Mormon himself, Verdoia is a featured interviewee in the documentary.
A journalist by profession, Verdoia says the early days of the Latter-Day Saints were akin to what certain religious zealots face today.
“In the 19th century, calling someone a Mormon is like calling someone a Muslim terrorist [today],” he says.
Even though he has surrounded himself with the Church’s history for more than three decades, Verdoia says he has never seen anything like this film.
"It's the most comprehensive approach to the past, present and future of the LDS church I have ever seen."
However, viewers who are interested in seeing the documentary charter unprecedented territory had better watch the whole thing. Both parts, from start to finish. Because filmmakers say it is not something you can watch sporadically and appreciate the full context. (Click here to see photos from the film)
Part one tells the history of the Church, covering such topics as the early days of polygamy and the ‘Mountain Meadows Massacre.’
Part two covers the modern-day Church. The faith’s importance of family and missionary work are explored, along with its more controversial teachings – like its disapproval of homosexuality and the years during which it discriminated against African Americans by keeping them out of the church.
“Being gay in that culture is beyond hell,” one person says in the film. “I wanted to be cured so badly. I fasted and I prayed but the bottom line is… I was committing spiritual suicide.”
What may be the most surprising aspect of all, given the film’s potentially negative depiction, is the fact that LDS Church leaders actually assisted in the documentary’s creation.
Church leaders allowed producers great access to their resources and LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley even gave an interview for the film.
However, LDS officials have made it very clear that the documentary is not produced – or endorsed – by the Church.
“The Mormons” will air on PBS stations KUED (Channel 7) and KBYU (Channel 11) on April 30 and May 1 at 8:00 p.m.
http://kutv.com/topstories/local_story_119232205.html
Mormon History, Controversy The Focus Of New Film
(KUTV) An extensive documentary on the Mormon religion – which took years to produce and even attracted the help of the LDS Church – is about to air on television. But some viewers may find it controversial, since the film examines all aspects of the Church’s history – including certain things that may be regarded as derogatory.
It is no small production. In its entirety, the film – which is titled “The Mormons” – runs more than four hours long. It will be split in two parts to be broadcast on Public Broadcast Television (PBS) this week as part of a "Frontline" presentation.
“The Mormons,” made by producer Helen Whitney, tells a comprehensive story of the American-born religion which, historically, has seen its fair share of international coverage.
But never before has the LDS faith been seen quite this way – as a prominent, sometimes mysterious, often misunderstood religion. And what’s more, is that the LDS Church actually assisted in its creation.
Several years in the making, the film was created from hundreds of hours of video and archive footage, photographs, documents, recorded history and the expertise of scholars well-versed in the LDS faith.
One such expert is Ken Verdoia, associate director at Utah PBS station KUED. He has explored and researched Mormon history for more than 30 years, and though not a Mormon himself, Verdoia is a featured interviewee in the documentary.
A journalist by profession, Verdoia says the early days of the Latter-Day Saints were akin to what certain religious zealots face today.
“In the 19th century, calling someone a Mormon is like calling someone a Muslim terrorist [today],” he says.
Even though he has surrounded himself with the Church’s history for more than three decades, Verdoia says he has never seen anything like this film.
"It's the most comprehensive approach to the past, present and future of the LDS church I have ever seen."
However, viewers who are interested in seeing the documentary charter unprecedented territory had better watch the whole thing. Both parts, from start to finish. Because filmmakers say it is not something you can watch sporadically and appreciate the full context. (Click here to see photos from the film)
Part one tells the history of the Church, covering such topics as the early days of polygamy and the ‘Mountain Meadows Massacre.’
Part two covers the modern-day Church. The faith’s importance of family and missionary work are explored, along with its more controversial teachings – like its disapproval of homosexuality and the years during which it discriminated against African Americans by keeping them out of the church.
“Being gay in that culture is beyond hell,” one person says in the film. “I wanted to be cured so badly. I fasted and I prayed but the bottom line is… I was committing spiritual suicide.”
What may be the most surprising aspect of all, given the film’s potentially negative depiction, is the fact that LDS Church leaders actually assisted in the documentary’s creation.
Church leaders allowed producers great access to their resources and LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley even gave an interview for the film.
However, LDS officials have made it very clear that the documentary is not produced – or endorsed – by the Church.
“The Mormons” will air on PBS stations KUED (Channel 7) and KBYU (Channel 11) on April 30 and May 1 at 8:00 p.m.
http://kutv.com/topstories/local_story_119232205.html