Well, now we know. The gallant efforts of Sherwood Baptist Church of Albany, GA, have brought a "PG" rating for the honor of being "accepted" by Hollywood! Religious faith is now rated "Parental Guidance" recommended.
The new film, picked up by Sony Pictures, is Facing the Giants, opened in theaters Friday. My brother is a member of Sherwood Baptist, but surprisingly I had not heard of the movie before it was featured on the local news the day AFTER it opened! Any way I am not the only one incredulous of its rating:
Narrow focus draws 'PG' rating for Baptist-backed film
By TERRY MATTINGLY
Scripps Howard News Service
07-JUN-06
The Motion Picture Association of America is crystal clear when it describes why its "PG" rating exists _ it's a warning flag.
"The theme of a PG-rated film may itself call for parental guidance," states the online explanation of the rating system. "There may be some profanity in these films. There may be some violence or brief nudity. ... The PG rating, suggesting parental guidance, is thus an alert for examination of a film by parents before deciding on its viewing by their children. Obviously such a line is difficult to draw."
Disagreements are a given. The Christian moviemakers behind a low-budget film called "Facing the Giants" were stunned when the MPAA pinned a PG rating on their gentle movie about a burned-out, depressed football coach whose life _ on and off the field _ takes a miraculous turn for the better.
"What the MPAA said is that the movie contained strong 'thematic elements' that might disturb some parents," said Kris Fuhr, vice president for marketing at Provident Films, which is owned by Sony Pictures. Provident plans to open the film next fall in 380 theaters nationwide with the help of Samuel Goldwyn Films, which has worked with indie movies like "The Squid and the Whale."
Which "thematic elements" earned this squeaky-clean movie its PG?
"Facing the Giants" is too evangelistic. (more)
Providentially, I will be in Albany this week! I have purchased tickets to see the nationally released movie in its HOMETOWN.
1 comment:
The PG rating for this one is thoroughly disgusting, but the movie has at least managed to get some publicity out of this "controversy" .. Frankly, I'm not sure if I'll see it or not, not because I have any problem with the message (I surely don't), but because the reviews have been mixed at best
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