Jesus Camp

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Movie
Original title Jesus Camp
Country of production United States
original language English
Publishing year 2006
length 84 minutes
Rod
Director Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing
production Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing
music Force Theory
camera Mira Chang and Jenna Rosher
occupation

Jesus Camp is an American documentary film by Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing about a children's summer camp run by the Christian “ charismatic movement ”. There the children are trained to work to "win back" the United States for Jesus Christ .

The film was released in September 2006 published in the US and for the Academy Awards 2007 as Best Documentary nomination. In the country of origin, it triggered numerous discussions about the methods presented by the charismatics and the objectivity of the producers. In Germany, the film was shown in the original language at the Munich International Documentary Film Festival in 2007 , and then in the German version in several locations in the winter of 2007/08 as part of the film series Über Morgen der Aktion Mensch / Die Gesellschafter. The first broadcast on German-language television took place on June 19, 2007 in a shortened version on ORF , dubbed by speakers from Austrian television. On October 15, 2007, the film was broadcast in German on WDR .

action

Jesus Camp is a documentary about the charismatic summer camp Kids on Fire (German: Inflamed Children ) in Devil's Lake, North Dakota , which is directed by Pastor Becky Fischer and organized by Kids in Ministry International . In this holiday camp, children of charismatic Christians of primary school age are trained to discover and strengthen their “prophetic gift”. The pastor calls on them in a large, simple church to "cleanse" themselves of their sins and to devote themselves entirely to mission and the spread of evangelical teachings, for example intelligent design and the prohibition of abortion . The children are referred to as the "selected generation" who should recapture America for Christ; therefore they should join the "Army of God" (Army of God). The rhetoric of the pastor - in addition to her preaching to the children, the “prophet” Lou Engle and the preacher Ted Haggard - as well as the use of music, dance and PowerPoint presentations encourage the children to take part. They obviously pray and sing along enthusiastically. Several times you can see how a large number of the children collectively burst into tears or pray in religious ecstasy “in tongues” . Becky Fischer makes it clear that as a Christian you have to concentrate on bringing up your children, because "the enemy" does it too.

The film focuses on three children participating in the camp. All three are firmly convinced of the correctness of the teachings and are committed to it. The young Levi, like many of the participants, is tutored by his parents at home and thus learns exclusively evangelical viewpoints. He is taught, for example, that global warming can not be of great importance because it is only a few degrees and that other problems are more important. Levi has already preached several times himself and therefore wants to become a preacher. Rachael regularly distributes small brochures to strangers around her when she feels that they are in need of conversion. She ignores ridicule from other children in the conviction that it is not the opinion of the people but the judgment of God that is decisive in the Last Judgment . Victoria (Tory) is a member of a children's dance group that promotes the fight for evangelicalism with martial appearances in pseudo-military uniforms and thus obviously particularly appeals to children of the same age group. She enjoys dancing but only listens to Christian rock music and despises secular artists like Britney Spears .

The producers of the documentary completely do without a commentary or narrator from the off , only brief information about people or places is faded in. Simple, depressing film music is only played for a short time, followed by the song Spirit in the Sky at the end . The plot consists of film material from the church services, scenes from the everyday life of those portrayed and statements from them. The only critical voices are recorded radio reports, especially by Mike Papantonio , who was also filmed in his studio. The background to the radio discussions was the dispute over the planned appointment of a very conservative judge to the Supreme Court of the United States by President George W. Bush , who was supported by evangelicals and because Papantonio reminds of the separation of religion and state .

controversy

The images in the film suggest comparisons with the religious upbringing of children in parts of the Islamic world, where they are brought up to be warriors of God . Becky Fischer makes this comparison in the film, albeit as a justification for her own methods. Those responsible do not discuss the fact that the children are given an indoctrination that leaves them little room for freedom of choice.

The producers claim to present an honest and unprejudiced film that does not suggest a given point of view. From the evangelical side they were accused of depicting only a small aspect of evangelicalism and thereby distorting the picture. The directors state in a statement that only Ted Haggard was dissatisfied with the way he was portrayed, and claim to have portrayed all characters realistically and benevolently.

Michael Moore showed the film at his Traverse City Film Festival , although the distribution company Magnolia Pictures did not want it to. He feared that the film would be associated with certain ideas and interests.

Web links

swell

  1. ^ Documentary Film Festival Munich - Summary of the film and information about the festival
  2. ↑ Christian Newswire - Jesus Camp Distributors Adverse to screening at Traverse: Michael Moore Ignores Request to Remove Documentary Festival from
  3. ↑ Statement of the directors on allegations by Ted Haggard
  4. ↑ indieWIRE: On The Scene - When A hard Strategy Goes Awry: Traverse City Screens "Jesus Camp" Against Magnolia's Wishes