JESUS CAMP (2006)
7pm, Regal 4
Directors: Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady
Writer:
Cinematographer: Mira Chang, Jenna Rosher
Cast: Becky Fischer, Levi, Mike Papantonio, Rachel, Tory
Running Time: 86 min
Directed by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady (The Boys of Baraka), Jesus Camp explores the revival in America of Christian youth taking up leadership of the conservative Christian movement. The documentary follows Levi, Rachael, Tory and a number of other young children to the “Kids on Fire”Â? summer camp in ironically named Devil’s Lake, North Dakota, where kids as young as 6 years-old are taught to become dedicated Christian soldiers in God’s army. These campers hone their prophetic gifts and are schooled in how to take back America for Christ. The film is a first-ever look into an intense training ground that recruits born-again Christian children to become an active part of America’s political future.
Central to the story is Pastor Becky Fischer, the leader of the camp, who states “I want to see young people who are as committed to the cause of Jesus Christ as the young people are to the cause of Islam. I want to see them as radically laying down their lives for the gospel as they are over in Pakistan and Israel and Palestine and all those different places because, excuse me, we have the truth!”. Although her words and deeds can be polarizing, she is a surprisingly affable figure even as she ingrains in young children that homosexuality is evil, evolution is a false concept, global warming is a myth, and President Bush is doing God’s work by appointing judges who will overturn reproductive rights.
The comments of Air America radio commentator Mike Papantonio, a frequent critic of the Evangelical movement, provide a narrative frame for the film. Produced by A&E IndieFilms, the documentary has won praise for being even-handed and fair — indeed, audiences from all sides of the political spectrum have reacted with acclaim — and the film has already won both a Special Documentary Jury Prize at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival and the SilverDocs Sterling Award.
