Blue Like Jazz: Blog: The Christian Movie Establishment vs. Blue Like Jazz

bluelikejazzblog: by Steve Taylor

Blue Like Jazz tumblr page? Good post today. One of the reasons I don’t like movies labeled Christian. There are several well-said phrases that challenge what normative Christianity has been limited to namely by ‘family-friendly.’ Check it out:

But over the last five years or so, “Christian Movie” has calcified in the public consciousness into a genre where:

  • Sentimentality trumps substance
  • Good intentions trump artistry
  • All conflict must be tidily resolved
  • “Safe for the whole family” is ade facto requirement
  • Or as writer David McFadzean summarized, Christian movies are like porn – poorly lit, poorly acted and you always know how they’re going to end.

…

He told me, “It seemed like it was even bigger than just this movie. It was a movement of a new generation of Christians who want to see us making better art. It seems like the Christian Media industry has become all about replicating culture. But we want to be creating culture.”

As Christians working in the creative arts, our job, first and foremost, is to tell the truth. Jesus himself said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”

One of the most consistent criticisms I got as a recording artist came from fellow Christians saying, “Why do you do these songs criticizing the church? Why would you go airing our dirty laundry for the public to see?” And, of course, that same criticism had been leveled at Blue Like Jazz.

This perspective has always amused me, as if the public thinks we’ve got our act together perfectly, as if they don’t already see the hypocrisy in our midst. They just think we’re too dumb to see it ourselves.

Which is why the image of a guy in a confession booth finally confessing the truth started my six-year-long quest to make Blue Like Jazz.

When we tell the truth – even the uncomfortable truth – the truth sets people free.

And when your done, support the film!

  1. fbcoverx reblogged this from bluelikejazzblog
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  5. alicenicole reblogged this from bluelikejazzblog and added:
    Christian… or both…
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  7. sortofamechanic reblogged this from bluelikejazzblog and added:
    YES! YES! YES! THIS IS IT! This...be sermonizing crap! Make
  8. youaremy4ever reblogged this from bluelikejazzblog and added:
    great conversation...over break now. So good.
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  13. karlynoelleabreu reblogged this from bluelikejazzblog and added:
    Preach it, Steve Taylor.
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  20. ephremhiphop reblogged this from bluelikejazzblog and added:
    labeled Christian. There...several well-said phrases
  21. andrebob reblogged this from bluelikejazzblog
  22. cmjimenez reblogged this from bluelikejazzblog and added:
    normally tumble log about, but
  23. sxeptomaniac reblogged this from bluelikejazzblog and added:
    surprised. Steve Taylor has certainly received these kinds...his music career. He somehow...
  24. calebgetsstoked reblogged this from codymichaels and added:
    Steve Taylor always has been and always will be on point. the truth will set you free, but it’s also gonna piss off a...
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  26. seelb reblogged this from bluelikejazzblog and added:
    GREAT article from Steve Taylor, the director of the upcoming film “Blue Like Jazz”. Beautifully articulating what I’ve...