Magnolia Pictures presents Jesus Camp. 87 minutes. Rated PG-13 for some discussions of mature subject matter.
Release Date: 1/23/07
Directors:
Heidi Ewing &
Rachel Grady
Featuring:
Becky Fischer.. ..Herself
Mike Papantonio.. ..Himself
Levi .Himself
Rachael .Herself
Tory .Herself
Ted Haggard.. ..Himself
The Movie:
The subject of religion is a very volatile one. Even in the context of film it is sometimes hard to separate ones personal thoughts on religion from the film at hand. Such is Jesus Camp, a documentary about an Evangelical Summer Camp that teaches kids to “take back America for Christ.” That said, Jesus Camp is hands down the scariest movie of 2006.
The film spends most of its time following Becky Fischer, a children’s pastor and founder of the Camp. The only contradictory opinion comes from radio personality Mike Papantonio, a Methodist who doesn’t agree with fundamentalist Christian movement and their fanatical ways. The film also focuses on a couple of the kids at the camp: Levi, a young man with an amazing mullet and a passion for preaching, “I don’t write the words, God writes them through me”; Rachael, a young girl who prefers Christian metal to Britney Spears; and Tory, a young girl who feels she has a calling to speak out against abortion.
Obviously those who agree with the sentiments being expressed here won’t be scared, they will be inspired. And it is that mentality that’s scary. These kids seem like they could be normal kids, only at church they speak in tongues, they cry and collapse to the floor. They are forbidden to read or watch Harry Potter because making a hero out of a warlock is evil. However one kid points out that even though his mom won’t let him watch the movies, he gets to see them at his dad’s house.
One evening at the camp the kids are in their cabin doing what children do. The lights are out and they are swinging flashlights all over, they are laughing and being kids. Then one child starts telling a ghost story. Before he can get too far a counselor pops his head in and tells them that ghost stories are evil and don’t spread the word of God so they should not be told. The children’s’ fun is instantly ended.
Later on we see these same kids being riled up about the evils of abortion then having red tape slapped over their mouth with the word “Life” written on it. During one sermon Becky points out that many kids are hypocrites, not doing the word of God at school and around their friends. She demands they shout out their sins and come forward to repent. For the third time in this film we see kids in tears, with some falling to the ground covering their heads. The power this woman has over these kids is frightening.
After the camp some of the kids are taken to Colorado Springs, one of the country’s largest populations of Evangelicals, to see Pastor Ted Haggard speak. After he speaks, condemning gay marriages and such, the kids get to come up and meet him. For these kids it’s like getting to meet a rock star. Young Levi tells Haggard that he preaches, too. Haggard immediately belittles the boy questioning whether it’s his words or the fact that he is young that people listen to him. Levi admits he’s not sure. Haggard then tells him to play up the young kid thing until he’s old enough to say something interesting. You can see on Levi’s face that he is crushed by these words. It is interesting to note that a few months after the doc’s release Haggard was outted as having relations with a male prostitute for over a period of three years. He is no longer a pastor at that church.
The film concludes with Papantonio interviewing Becky. He questions whether what she is doing can be considered brainwashing. Becky of course denies this and the argument continues.
There are many disturbing moments in this film, many which have been mentioned already. One other moment that sticks out is when Rachael approaches three black men to ask if they think they are going to Heaven or Hell when they die. The men say Heaven. As Rachael and her friends walk away she says, “I think they were Muslim.”
The one thing I can say about Jesus Camp is that it manages to present both sides evenly without favoring one or the other. The only that can be considered jarring, effecting the viewer’s emotions, is their own personal beliefs, which is a rare thing in film today. Is this a good or bad film? Hard to say. What I can deduce is the quality in how well the documentary was made. It sheds light on a side of America that is not seen too often. Whether you agree or disagree with the subject matter that Jesus Camp examines, it is sure to stir strong emotions deep within you.
One child practicing what she learned at Jesus Camp.
The DVD:
The Video:
The film is presented in fullscreen 1.33:1. It appears the film was shot on video and it shows. Jesus Camp doesn’t have the crisp look of film, but not all docs need to be that technically sound.
The Audio:
The film is presented in Dolby Digital. There are no problems here. Clean sound, everyone can be heard.
Extras:
Sadly, the copy I received did not include any special features. Which is a shame because the directors’ commentary could have been interesting, with even more behind-the-scenes information about Jesus Camp.
Deleted Scenes
