Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Passage to Something More Apocalyptic

When the words "Book of Mormon" and "Film" are brought up in the same sentence, in my experience, the conversation usually takes one of three forms:

1. "Yeah, too bad it's already been done;"
2. "I don't think it could ever be done justice;" or,
   
3. "I want to make it."
   

I invariably have my arguments for all three of these statements.

The first argument I just scoff at and think or say to the person I am talking to, "you pathetic rat for thinking so narrowly about the world." (Okay, so I don't think I've ever said that, but I probably have thought it.) But it does always seem to boil down to the idea that because its been tried, and didn't work, it shouldn't be tried again. This of course, is what the second statement is about, which I am about to get to. But anyone who doesn't think there is room enough for more than one interpretation doesn't deserve to have anything to do with such a project, either as a funder or an artist or a producer, and, of course, they won't, because they have already self-prophesied that such a thing isn't going to happen.

The second argument is silly merely because that person lacks vision. This is a very difficult point to argue on, and I usually don't press the issue to hard (it exhausts). Most people who don't think the Book of Mormon can be expressed in any sort of magnitude in film are the kinds of people I try not to associate with on any really substantive level. It's not a matter of personality. It's a matter of human dignity. I hope you realize I am kidding, or at least trying to.

The final argument is one I can sympathize with the most. But I react, typically, and perhaps less-so invariably, by thinking to myself, "I don't really believe you have it in you." There is one exception to this way of reactive thinking, but I don't really want to go into that because it involves myself. I hope you realize this is also a joke. Sort of. In any case, when I hear people talk about getting it done, I am much more prone to say, "good for you," or, "go for it," or, "we need more people like you."

Then I have to stop and really analyze what I am doing or saying.

Case in point.

I have never met Chris Heimerdinger, nor have I ever read any of his Tennis Shoes Book-of-Mormon-themed novels. I am, however, quite—well—I would hate to alienate myself from him, should I ever meet him, and should he happen to read this. Just the same, based on some of the music I have listened to from his pending movie, Passage to Zarahemla, adapted from the first book in the series (I think), I can't imagine the rest of the work being anything but amateur at best. Fun, perhaps, if you're into that kind of thing. But I am fairly certain I will not be.

In any case, a recent updater was passed around, from Heimerdinger:

Dear Carolyn,

My rough edit is done. John Lyde (editor of Mobsters and Mormons, Outlaw Trail, and writer/director of Take a Chance) is doing the final edit on the film. I believe it really is a fun movie, and a genre never attempted before in this market -- action/fantasy/adventure. Beyond that, I hope it's the strongest movie with a Book of Mormon theme ever produced. Special effects from Sandman Studios are being finalized. We'll soon start sound editing and music. My guess is that it might be in theatres in Jan/Feb of '07.

I truly do wish Heimerdinger the best.

But I can't help and make the following comparison.
Many Mormons seem to have adopted the idea that Mesoamerica is the likely setting for many past Book of Mormon events. Among such folk are prominent Mormon scholars, and others who have taken keen interest. Heimerdinger seems to be so oriented. I, myself, am partially persuaded by such a possibility, based on rudimentary things I've seen, but I in no way am as conclusive about the possibility as some people are. Just the same, since that does seem to be the general orientation of late, how will, say, Heimerdinger's movie—presumably set in Mesoamerica—compare with the likes of Mel Gibson's next mega-epic, coming out this December?

Of course, there are all kinds of things to compare, but I'll let you be the judge on where to begin. Obviously, Gibson has done his research. Will Heimerdinger be able to say the same?

posted by Rhapsidiomite @ 9:15 PM
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