Okay... so here is a question for you all. What do you think about actor Chad Allen, a homosexual activist, being cast as Nate Saint in the Christian movie "End of the Spear".
Personally, I wish they had not cast him because I disagree with his lifestyle, and I know that people will associate him with the character he played, but I thought he did fine, and I liked the film and supported it.
What has surprised me is the vehemence of the opposition to his casting, and to Every Tribe Entertainment and the producers of the film, by the "Christian" community.
The producers have had their lives threatened, and people are just livid about this.
This is NOT the way Christians should act. Yes, I think that Every Tribe should have been more forthcoming with this information. Yes, I think they made an unwise decision because they had to know that the casting of Chad would create this firestorm among their target audience (Christians) that would distract from the message of the film. I think it was a bad decision to cast him. They had offered the job to him, found out he was an activist (not just homosexual, but an activist) and they made the decision to hire him anyway. I think they could have honored the contract, and paid off his salary and cast someone else.
But, they made the decision to cast him, and the film was good (not great, maybe a B+ film. Better than most Christian films). As a silver lining, I am sure that Chad was very positively influenced by working on the project with true Christians who accepted him as a human being, even though they did not accept his lifestyle. I think it is a terrible witness to him, and to the homosexual (and non Christian) community when Christians get all up in arms over this with this much vehemence. Chad, from what I have heard, has had only good things to say about the production.
I am ashamed of the reaction the "Christians" are giving. Stand on principle, sure, I do all the time and I support that. But the lack of love in this is appalling. It only helps to feed the idea that Christians are homo phobic judgmental freaks.
So... thoughts?
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3 comments:
I have not seen the film, so I will assume the directors are right that he was the best man for the job.
My opinion is that Mr. Allen's selection showed a naivette on the part of the producer/director about their intended audience. However, I agree that once the job offer was made, morally they had to honor it. And let us be honest - many "Christian" films have been dragged down by hiring the most "Christian" actors, instead of finding ones that were the best for the job. This shows that directors of a religious film need to be nmore careful about who they hire and cast.
That being said, anyone making death threats is not following the path of Christ. It is God's to avenge if anyone was wronged here... and somehow I doubt that the original missionary would have been very worked up about this. More likely he would have gotten worked up that we are focussing so much on this, and NOT being inspired to reach out to overseas peoples who do not know Christ.
I agree with Nomad here (and think he should see the film). I think they made a decision to pick the actor they felt was best to play the part.
I read an interview with Chad Allen about the role he played and, as you said Will, he had nothing but positive things to say. When he was asked what he thought about Saint's beliefs, Allen responded that he respected a man who would give his life for the thing he believed in. Maybe Allen didn't understand the belief itself, but he connected to the dedication.
Regrettable that they picked Allen? Perhaps. And perhaps not. When I saw the film I had no idea that he was in it or what he believed in. I found out after the fact. I went in to the theatre hoping that they had made a decent film (that would beat out Gods & Generals, for example [I film I thought was extroadinarily regrettable, though my own family members would disagree!]) about a glorious story. When I saw Chad Allen come on the screen I excitedly leaned over to Jonathan and informed him that I recognized the actor (from his Dr. Quinn days). I was WAY HYPED that a Christian film had bothered to select a moderately well-known actor that was recognizable! I thought it helped to validify the film.
I don't believe he detracted from the main message. If anything detracted -- I would complain about the script that didn't really explain why the men where there. Or, as you have suggested, the Christian response to Every Tribe's slection of Allen.
Will, I agree with you. I was disappointed they chose Allen for the role but think the reaction of the Christian community is a bad witness.
I actually grew up playing with Chad Allen and his twin sister because he lived down the street from my grandparents (in Cerritos, CA) when he was a boy.
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