[Borges]

You misunderstood my point about Passion and Last Temptation. The reason people were gun-shy about financing Passion is because of the reception of movies like Last Temptation. From the point of view of a Studio Exec it looked the same...a passionate filmmaker with a fervent religious film they want to make. Before Passion, films like that were Box Office poison.

As to your final point, someone can only produce something that reflects their beliefs. Would you complain to a novelist that his work should be more 'in line' with what 'most' people believe or simply accept the idea that his work reflects him and nobody else? There's nothing preventing Believers from making their own films. You just have to hustle for financing just like everyone else. Most people of devout faith don't want to do that.

[DoughtyOne]

You misunderstood my point about Passion and Last Temptation. The reason people were gun-shy about financing Passion is because of the reception of movies like Last Temptation. From the point of view of a Studio Exec it looked the same...a passionate filmmaker with a fervent religious film they want to make. Before Passion, films like that were Box Office poison.

I believe I did touch on the subject of the Last Temptation not making a good box office.  I'm surprised that you would suggest that the studio execs couldn't see the difference between the two movies.  One stepped all over the toes of Christians, not just Catholics, and the other reinforced what most Christians firmly believe in.  You may be right that the execs didn't see a difference, but if that is true then you have to a certain extent proven my overall assessment of the movie industry.  They just don't get it.

As to your final point, someone can only produce something that reflects their beliefs.

Perhaps we're kindof talking past each other here.  I have said that I belive the industry is turning out vile material.  I have implied I have serious problems with the caliber of people in the industry.  You are now saying that folks will turn out what reflects their beliefs.  It seems to a certain extent that we agree on that point.  And that also seems to confirm my contention of the caliber of people in the industry.  Do you disagree?

Would you complain to a novelist that his work should be more 'in line' with what 'most' people believe or simply accept the idea that his work reflects him and nobody else?

To be sure the novelist is responsible for the content of the story line.  He is not responsible for the decision to convert the novel into a movie.  As long as we're talking about adult fair here, I'm not in the business of trying to censor what filmakers wish to produce.  I will occasionally advocate for toning it down a bit, but I have no control over that.  I do wish there were less violence for kids through the age of 18.  We seem to see so many acts by kids enacting things they have seen portrayed in the media.  It is also a policy of movie chains not to keep young children out of R rated movies.  I watched a very violent movie a few years back with unattended seven, eight and about twelve year old boys.  I informed the manager and asked him to get the kids out of there.  He told me the chain policy was to let the kids watch whatever they want after the folks dropped them off.

There's nothing preventing Believers from making their own films. You just have to hustle for financing just like everyone else. Most people of devout faith don't want to do that.

I agree.