Posted on 01/17/2006 10:17:51 PM PST by I'm ALL Right!
By Cal Thomas
January 18,2006
Tribune Media Services
Fifty years ago this month, five young missionaries were killed by an Ecuadorian tribe known to the world as the Auca Indians. Auca means savage. The tribe called itself, then and now, the Waodani. The real story isn't only the death of those five young men. It is also the incredible reconciliation that took place not long after, as relatives of the dead men returned to offer love and peace to the very people who had murdered their loved ones.
That incident and that reconciliation have been told in a remarkable new film to be released in 1,200 theaters this weekend. It's called "End of the Spear" and it is the finest film of its kind I have seen.
This isn't one of those liberal sob stories one hears in a debate about capital punishment. This is about the power of true forgiveness. It is unlike anything one sees in contemporary culture. Beautifully photographed in the rainforests of Panama, because the remote Waodani village in Ecuador could not sustain a film crew, "End of the Spear" uses Panamanian actors, who were coached by Waodani warriors brought in for the project. Some of those warriors also appear in the film.
"End of the Spear" is so moving you will not believe that it is director Jim Hanon's first feature film. Every Tribe Entertainment, (www.everytribe.com), the production company behind it, was founded by Oklahoma City businessman Mart Green, who grew up in a home so conservative he had never been to a movie theater. When Green heard Steve Saint tell the story of his father and the other missionaries who were speared to death in 1956 and saw Saint introduce "Mincaye," the man who killed Saint's father, Nate, he immediately saw the power in putting the story on film. As long as we are talking firsts, this is the first feature film by Every Tribe Entertainment and it is the first time the story has been told from the perspective of the Waodani. It is rated PG-13 for violence, but it is violence necessary to the story.
Director Hanon says the Waodani at first refused to cooperate, but when he told them about violence in American culture, like the Columbine shootings, they decided to participate. In a promotional DVD for the movie, Mincaye says, "The foreigners are living as angry and violent as we once did. But they could be living well. We changed. The foreigners (can change), too."
Does reconciliation work? Shortly after the missionaries were killed, the wife of one of the slain men and the sister of another went to live with the tribe. Within two years, the tribal homicide rate had dropped more than 90 percent. That beats any "tough on crime" approach in the United States.
Among the many remarkable ingredients in this film is that with the exception of the handful of American actors, the rest of the actors are amateurs. But the performances by the Panamanian Indians are as good and as convincing as anything you'll see coming from a professional cast.
All films carry messages ("Brokeback Mountain" is not just a movie about cowboys). In recent years, with some notable exceptions, many of those messages have appealed to our lower nature. "End of the Spear" is not only a true story, but also a compelling one. For those, like me, who have longed to go to movies that are uplifting instead of bottom feeding, this is one of the best.
"End of the Spear" is the latest in a steadily growing number of films that are taking on culture on its own turf. Instead of cursing darkness, more independent producers are beginning to make good movies (do not confuse "good" in content with bad in execution) containing positive messages.
This is a story that is not only worth retelling, but is worth emulating. A liberal neighbor of mine has a sign in his yard that reads, "War is not the answer." We can debate that, but we can't debate reconciliation as the answer. It works, as this marvelous movie so beautifully and breathtakingly demonstrates.
(Direct all MAIL for Cal Thomas to: Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, N.Y. 14207. Readers may also e-mail Cal Thomas at Cal@CalThomas.com.
(c) 2006 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
Cal Thomas
Syndicated Columnist/Fox News Contributor P.O. Box 7065 Arlington, Virginia 22207-7065
Good morning, everyone! BTTT! (Shamelessly bumping my own thread...this needs to stay up!)
I've recently become aware of the controversy that's brewing in Christian fundamental circles surrounding the opening of the movie End of the Spear.
The producers cast a confessed gay man in one of the leading of the roles and now certain ministry leaders are having (and expressing) their issues.
For a little background...
http://www.challies.com/archives/001586.php
http://www.sharperiron.com
http://www.randybrandt.net/contend/rants.php?id=rEndOfTheSpear
OK...here we go.
For ministry leaders to reject the movie outright based on the sexual orientation of one of the actors is short-sighted at best and pompous and pharisaical at worst. I think this is exactly the kind of narrow-minded perspective that has given the church the current reputation of being out of touch and irrelevant...and unable to really speak to the issues of our society or contribute to the arts of today's modern culture. Of course it would be much more understanding if the situation was reversed...a Christian straight guy was playing the role of a gay man in a movie based on the homosexual lifestyle. Then, at least they could say that the actor in question was lowering his standards in order to play a role. This, however, is not that situation; a gay man in a movie with a Christian message.
I wonder how far these ministry leaders would be willing to carry their logic? What about Al Pacino, Harrison Ford, Julie Roberts, Meg Ryan, Tom Cruise, George Lucas, Steven Soderburg, Ron Howard? Are these people devout Christians? Should their collective body of work be dismissed because of their sinful lives? Have these ministry leaders come out encouraging their fellow believers to boycott their films as well because of their sinful lifestyles? What about books written by Hemingway, Eliot, Dickenson and other legendary non-Christian authors? When does the book-burning begin?
More on point...if God does not rank sin, in other words, if my sin is no worse or better than your sin or Chad Allen's sin, then how can my work or your work or anyone else's work be accepted by this strict standard?
I do not condone Mr. Allen's lifestyle. Personally, I have a real problem with the prevalence of the homosexual lifestyle being depicted throughout the media. However, I think Mr. Allen's performance should be judged by his abilities as an actor not by his sexual orientation. Likewise, the film (and the producer's casting decisions) should be evaluated on it's artistic merit and not dismissed out of hand just because one of the actors happens to be gay.
And, who knows what kind of long-term effect this role will have on Mr. Allen? Let's pray that the same beliefs and convictions that guided Nate Saint will ultimately bring Chad Allen around to the truth.
The movie opens this weekend (January 20). I encourage you to go see it (sooner rather than later) and make up your own mind about the movie; its story, its production quality, its on-location shoot, and the artistic ability of its actors. Again, go THIS WEEKEND. Remember, attendance opening weekend often dictates whether the movie hangs around a while or dies a quick and uneventful death. This movie's message is too important to allow to die.
But that's just what I think. What about you?
You cant compare Chad Allen to Al Pacino, Harrison Ford, Julie Roberts, Meg Ryan, Tom Cruise, George Lucas, Steven Soderburg, Ron Howard, Hemingway, Eliot and Dickenson.
Chad Allen is a gay activist promoting homosexuality.
I see... that makes him "more" of a sinner than other sinners, and somehow it's more aggregious to God than adultery and divorce (common in Hollywood culture, don't want to name names) and therefore the movie has no value?
Hmmm.... I guess Focus on the Family, Promise Keepers, and other Christian groups that are supporting the movie are wrong?
You must feel like the rest of the parade is marching out of step. You must not see many movies either.
Lot's of actor advocates for lots of liberal and anti-biblical world views.
I don't believe heterosexual fornication is anymore of an abomination to God than homosexual sex.
On a separate subject what if Chad Allen in is gay activism believes in Christian gay theology and would use his role in this movie as a platform to promote tolerance of practicing homosexuals within the Christian church? Does Chad believe he can be a Christian while at the same be gay? I dont know. This is basically my biggest fear of having Chad placed in this movie.
Excuse me, no fool, but what does "aggregious" mean? I can't find this word in any of my dictionaries.
I couldn't have said it better, "I'm ALL Right"!!!!
Seems like this book and movie are quite extraordinary. I'm just trying to imagine being like that with the brutal al Queda beasts who are beheading and maiming people, and God help me, I'm sure having trouble envisioning being forgiving, which means I do need that help.
BTTT
bump
Thanks much for the heads up on this movie. I look forward to see it!
Thanks for the ping. I've been hearing the advertisements for this and caught Steve Saint and others on Medved yesterday. Medved is heartily recommending it.
I am imagining. . .that even primitive tribes have 'codes of honor'.
No doubt a good film. . .but cannot really imagine any parallels here to the enemy we are currently facing.
That said. . .saw a wondeful movie last night. . . 'Mrs. Andseren Presents' (Judi Dench/Bob Hoskins).
It makes one appreciate the 'old spirit' of a Country uniting against an enemy they are at war against. And it has the best non-message re Gays as well. (If only Hollywood could 'get it'. . .instead of the 'meat cleaver' they prefer to use on their audience).
Anyway, a 'theatrical experience' and one to be enjoyed. . .and appreciated.
Thanks for the ping, BG!
Here are the show times at Cinemark Gateway Mall, Springfield, OR: 12:40pm 3:20pm 7:20pm 10:05pm
The 12:40 showing costs $4.25, the 3:20 showing costs $5.25 and $5.00 for sr/child, the 7:20 and 10:05 showing costs $7.75 for adult and $5.00 for senior/children.
. . .That said. . .saw a wondeful movie last night. . . 'Mrs. Henderson presents. . .
It makes one appreciate the 'old spirit' of a Country uniting against an enemy they are at war against. And it has the best non-message re Gays as well. (If only Hollywood could 'get it'. . .instead of the 'meat cleaver' they prefer to use on their audience).
Anyway, a 'theatrical experience' and one to be enjoyed. . .and appreciated.
I saw it and it is a great film, simple, direct, powerful.
Thanks for the ping!
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