Hollywood Banks On The Bible

Tinseltown Has Rediscovered Religion — But It's Looking For Profits, Not Prophets

(CBS)  It was a Vatican first: Thousands of the faithful gathered not for an audience with the pope, but for the premiere of a movie called "The Nativity Story, CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric reports.

The film depicts Mary and Joseph's arduous journey to Bethlehem.

"This little girl, after she saw the movie, she said 'Mary speaks!' She always thought of her as a little statue, and not a human," says Catherine Hardwicke, the movie's director.

Screenwriter Mike Rich says there was a time when getting the green light for the film would have been a miracle.

What changed?

"Well, I think 'Passion of the Christ' changed the landscape a little bit. The phenomenal success of that film opened the door," Rich says.

Mel Gibson's 2004 blockbuster, "The Passion of the Christ," earned a staggering $1 billion in box office and DVD sales. Since then, Hollywood studios have been saying, "lights, camera, Alleluia!"

"God is enjoying a renaissance in Hollywood," says Steven Feldstein with Fox Faith, a new division of 20th Century Fox devoted entirely to faith-based filmmaking. But he admits that Fox Faith is more about the bottom line than belief.

"It's a significant market," Feldstein says. "We as a studio, we're in the business of entertainment. It's not our business to preach or proselytize."

But 2,300 miles from Hollywood, at the Sherwood Baptist Church in southern Georgia, they've moved the sermon to the screen. Baptist Minister Alex Kendrick directed and starred in "Facing the Giants," about a Christian high school football coach's struggles on and off the field.

It was made for $100,000 and has grossed almost $10 million.

"There is a large part of America that shares our faith and values, and that longs to see something that they can take their kids to — that they believe in," Kendrick says.

But what if you don't believe? That was Chicago Mayor Richard Daly's concern last week when he banned ads for "The Nativity Story" from the city's annual Christmas festival.

"I think you run that risk if you isolate yourself in your approach to either one faith or just the faith-based audience," Rich says. "I think there is a place for these stories, stories about faith, inspiration stories, spirit of the heart, I think there's going to be a place for those for quite some time."

"The Nativity Story" grossed $8 million over the weekend, but its creators hope it will resonate even more at the day it depicts approaches.

[dargay]

what the?? the above picture could be of Muslims!

[bobgee_1999]

Surprise. What, did you think Jesus was a white guy with a crew cut? Christianity is nothing but another middle-eastern religion for loons.

[winsors1]

Christ dies on the Cross so we do not have to live with the sins we deal with everyday.
The entire human race will never believe he is the Son of God. BUT....Every Knee will bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God. Romans 14.11. Obviously not everyone believes this. But
if all religions praticed what they have written in their scrolls, we would be a race of people that lived peacefully one with another, but we can't untill Christ returns and makes it right.
Now, don't forget to judge me for what I believe.
I wouldn't want you to have a day where you didn't critize someone else for what they believe.
Thank You Hollywood for being willing to make a movie that if nothing else tells the story of someone whom "Actually Lived and Died that made a difference, to a zillion people. Jesus Crist IS LORD, Sits at the right hand of the Father, and is my Best Friend!

[baye13]

Wow, That last comment was the MOST judgmental comment I have ever heard.

[crisrcraft]

The movie was good and I appreciate any good and moral movies you can get out of Hollywood but let's not forget that for them this is just a business move. Hollywood turning out a good movie is a little like a neighborhood pedophile throwing a childrens party and promising gifts, toys, food and fun to the neighborhood children. Would we get all excited and go to the party and rave about how wonderful it is and then spend the rest of our time trying to protect ourselves from him/her ?

[jimc52]

I think its wonderful that Hollywood is finally "getting it." Instead of making just 1 picture out of 10 worth watching, they may end up making 2 out of 10. I hope they make a million such movies as this one. There is a dying thirst out here in the real world for hope and decency...something Jesus was all about. I know God is behind this movement towards spirituality. I think Hollywood film makers have long been into perversion, violence and hedonism and its about time they changed their act. I'll pay any day for a movie about God.
The movie industry may not want to admit the impact they have on our lives...or the responsibilty they have to portray decency and love instead of hate and violence. There is more to this movement than you imagine, dear Horatio! All I can do is feel sorry for those individuals who prefer the perversion, violence and decadence over love, faith and hope. When I watch a movie like this, I know where it is coming from :) This is a good and decent story that needs telling over and over again and it needs to be shown to every person in the world.
God never said there was anything wrong with making money...it's what is done with that money that counts. When it results in the proliferation of decent movies like this, it results in endless paybacks. That is how God works...give a little, GET a LOT!

[jimc52]

RU surprised, then...that picture grossed $10 million when it only cost $100 Grand to make?
THINK ABOUT IT.

[lfloeber]

It matters not to me if someone makes tons of money if the movies are acurate, I am happy to see Hollywood doing something constructive. Rarely happens these days.