First a disclaimer, I think art is art, it comes from an individual and there is not wrong in the personal interpretation of a subject. The artist presents a personal message that is often open for general interpretation.
I am a filmmaker / storyteller, so my perspective comes from that side of the spectrum.
Christian films (films made by Christians that depict Christian themes) are often seen as "boring", "preaching to the choir", "judgmental", "lacking production value" - sadly those are some of the labels given. This type of criticism though, never touch the core of the film, nor refer to the story or message being presented, nor invest too much time going into the background of the movie.
But, the audience doesn't really have to though. Movies / art in general, are made for an audience, and the criticism comes from the first brush with the product.
What conviction should a Christian artist have? Should that conviction be presented in an open platter? Should a Christian artist be limited to only serve a limited market?
I think there are many, many levels to an artist, there are many, many more to a Christian artist.
I recently watched the movie Knowing. I have never been bothered so much by a movie as I have been with this one. It was a good movie, the effects were a little iffy, a little cheesy at times, but a movie.
What bothered me was that it "separated" me, it separated my views and convictions. It made me feel guilty and glad, impressed and disappointed at the same time, and could not put it a single concept.
I posted a comment on my facebook page, and I love the comments I got, to some it was just a movie (as it have should been) to others it went a lot deeper (as it should have been).
I decided to bring my concerns to the Lord and ask Him to help me sort out those feelings that were driving me crazy.
Since I was a child I was always taught to aim high, to have high expectations in whatever it is I do - and I don't mind that type of teaching at all. It did translate on what I do though.
When I write I want to give a message of compassion, evoke a "good feeling", write a story that inspires change (which is ironic because someone always dies on my movies :) )
While in school I did make a short movie that had the Jesus theme on it. I had fun with the reactions :)
I do want to write movies that will present the gospel message.
I do want to write movies for non-believers - then, how do you do both?
How do an artist transcend and crossover two different worlds? The Christian audience and secular audience.
After watching Knowing I was looking at my convictions (for lack of a better term) in a horizontal way.
A story was presented - by the end of the movie there was sort of Christian message on it - there were also aliens, God is not an alien people! - was the artist trying to show a Christian message? - was the artist trying to make it pass Hollywood? - if I want to make it pass Hollywood, do I have to compromise? - I love God and I am a servant of Christ, would He be mad if I compromise? ah! I better change careers!
After a while and asking the Lord for help with my thought process :) I began to put my thoughts in a more vertical way.
- I love God and Christ lives in me.
- In NO way I want to offend my Father in anything I do (no, I don't want to turn Him into an alien)
- God has given me and everyone else a gift, desire and passion.
- I have the desire to share that gift with many or a few, depends of what I am sharing.
- There are stories to tell, I can mention God in them, or I could not.
and they became like a list of priorities on how to approach art.
The audience is still an audience, Christian or not. Who do you want to touch and how, is on the artist and he/she bears the responsibility, but above all God receives the glory - He gave us the gift.
Art is still art, Christian or not.
I don't know if the author of Knowing is a Christian, but he decided to present a message in a particular way, it touched some, it didn't others.
Same with the Passion of Christ movie. It did tough many, it didn't others.
A message was shared.
With some movies, we wish they keep it to themselves :)
Christian artist, God has given you a gift. Give thanks for it. Honor the Lord in all that you do, and to Him and only Him the glory belongs.
Criticism will be there no matter what you do, but you know that :)
