Film Clips: On 'The Golden Compass' and Story -- And Will You Go See It?
Filed under: Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, New Releases, New Line, Fandom, Family Films, Movie Marketing, Columns, Film Clips, Polls
My earlier column about the controversy swirling around The Golden Compass generated a lot of thought-provoking comments, and I thought that, with the film's opening date coming up on December 7, this might be a good time to address one of the questions underlying a lot of the comments we've had on the subject: Is a story, in this case, just a story? Or is it a tool with which to push or indoctrinate a set of beliefs?
One of our commenters, Rodway, included a link to this post titled "Sympathy for the Devil" over on Plugged Online, a movie blog arm of Focus on the Family. The site's "About Us" section says about its mission:
"Plugged In is a Focus on the Family publication designed to help equip parents, youth leaders, ministers and teens with the essential tools that will enable them to understand, navigate and impact the culture in which they live. Entertainment is a potent influence on our culture for both good and evil. Through our reviews and discussions of that entertainment, we hope to spark intellectual thought, family discussion, spiritual growth and a strong desire to follow the command of Colossians 2:8. "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."
So you can probably figure out going in which side of the debate this post is going to weigh in on. Nonetheless, the piece does offer a fairly reasoned argument to its target market for why Christian parents should keep their kids away from The Golden Compass, both in its (likely to be) watered-down film form, and its even "more dangerous" written form to which your children (so implies the author) will surely be led if they watch the film.
One of my favorite writers and philosophers, Joseph Campbell, says in his tome Hero With a Thousand Faces, "It is possible to speak from only one point at a time, but that does not invalidate the insights of the rest," and I find that quote particularly relevant in any discussion of The Golden Compass. Does Pullman's exploration of his own ideas around organized religion invalidate the insights of Christianity? The truth is, this is more than a movie, it's a representation of a particular world-view and set of ideas. If it wasn't, it would matter neither to the Christians who consider it a heretical tool to lure children into Atheism (I guess that makes Atheism the new Satanism) that the film exists, nor to the Atheists that New Line has reportedly watered down author Philip Pullman's ideas to make it more palatable to the Christian Right. But does the fact that the film is about religion mean that people of faith shouldn't see it and discuss it?
Should children be exposed to stories with ideas of spirituality that differ from their parents' faith? If watching a movie with ideas that run counter to your family's religious beliefs causes your children to ask questions, are you prepared and willing to engage with them in an open discussion about it? Do you believe that your religious path is the one and only true path, or that (to loosely borrow from Campbell) it's one of many paths leading to the same place? Are you willing to let your children explore ideas and find their own path, or do you feel that it's a parents' job to firmly set the path and guide your children down it? The way you answer those questions might help you determine whether The Golden Compass is right for your family. On the other hand, if you feel that studios cater too much to the Christian demographic, you might be more inclined to support the film just because of the controversy.
If you are a fundamentalist Christian, the truth is you are probably not going to like this film (or perhaps, even read the books yourself to make your own judgment independent of what religious leaders say about it), and New Line knows that, in spite of any attempt at their end to dilute the story's inherently religious nature. Quite simply, fundamentalist Christians are not this film's target market, and New Line is banking on the likelihood that there are many more people -- especially in the coveted tween market -- who will pay to see a cool fantasy film with a spunky heroine and cool special effects than people who will stay away with it for religious reasons.
(They might also be counting on that most onerous of human tendencies -- the one where we tend to covet all the more that which our parents forbid us from having -- ask the cosmetics industry how much money it makes from tweens and teens whose parents don't know they buy makeup.) The religious right, of course, is banking on having enough power to persuade their flocks to collectively stay away from it, and they probably will largely succeed.
In the case of The Golden Compass, the story is clearly more than "just a story" -- I wonder, though, if Christians would be getting their feathers ruffled so about it all if Pullman had made the mythical universe Lyra inhabits set in a desert setting rather than a mirrored version of England, made her dark-skinned and dark-haired instead of fair and blond, and referred to the Authority as "Allah" instead of "God"? Is it only the perception that Pullman is attacking their personal religion that has folks so riled up? Or would Pullman attacking the God of Islam offend as strongly?
At any rate, the bottom line for New Line is not really whether fundamentalist groups like Focus on the Family will win this battle by preaching to the choir, but whether the cumulative effect of their speaking out on the film will bleed over enough into the fringe of the mainstream audience to make a serious dent in their bottom line.
Now's your chance to speak out on The Golden Compass. Tell us what you think:
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
11-25-2007 @ 8:24PM
AmberM said...
I'm a huge fan of His Dark Materials and I find it disgusting that New Line is trying to appease a group of people that will never see the movie no matter how watered down it is. It's insane that the studio is so afraid of angering the christian right that they'll dilute such a wonderful book! I also wonder how they're going to keep the religious aspect out of the 3rd movie as it is such an integral part of The Amber Spyglass.
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11-25-2007 @ 8:24PM
Gina said...
I'm a Christian and a writer, and will see it so that I can write about it.
Were I a parent, I probably wouldn't take my children to see it. But I would tell them about it, explain my problems with it, and answer any questions they had about it. (As a diehard English major, I would also point out the literary flaws in the books and suggest they read something better written!) As you say, Kim, the longing for "forbidden fruit" -- to borrow from the story from which Pullman himself borrows :-) -- is an "onerous" but very real part of human nature, and I hope Christian parents will be keeping that in mind.
The thing is, Pullman is going for all-out indoctrination in the books and probably in the movies as well. I would prefer my children to be taught in a way that engaged their minds and encouraged them to develop and use their analytical skills, not just lured into a movie theater and informed, "There's no God and Christianity is a mistake." That's just plain propaganda, and until they were old enough to understand that, I wouldn't let my kids be subjected to it.
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11-25-2007 @ 11:02PM
oolookitty said...
It amuses me to see Christians freaking out because they believe that Pullman is trying to indoctrinate children with his specific beliefs. The only people I see who are frenziedly forcing children into their own specific worldviews are these very Christians. As for not letting kids see it, I refer those terrified Christian parents to Milton's "Areopagitica", which correctly makes the point that there is no virtue in choosing the "right" path if you don't know you have a choice.
11-25-2007 @ 10:16PM
MCW said...
I try my best to not be offended by anything, because I do not want to be the person who has to join a club to say "That's racist" or "That's offensive towards obese people". Life is too short to spend being offended by every little thing.
While I haven't read the Dark Materials, I have heard great things about them, and am prepared to see this movie. I do not want to know anything about the plot of the movie whatsoever, I only want to watch the movie and enjoy it.
So, be offended all you want, if that is what makes you happy. I'll be happy if I am entertained by "The Golden Compass".
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11-25-2007 @ 10:22PM
Philip said...
What's the worst that could happen? Don't parents teach their children that movies aren't always rooted in reality? If a faith is so supremely rooted in truth, will a movie like this shake it so profoundly? I have two kids and encourage them both to believe as they have been taught, and that movies are simply movies. If a mind is so weak as to be swayed by this then that person should stay at home in a closet where no harm may come to that person. That's where the religious right has gone wrong and lost our credibility. Jesus didn't stay at home in the closet. He went to the merchant's square,where the taxpayers and hagglers were. He knew to reach his target audience he had to go into the fray.
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11-25-2007 @ 10:24PM
Asia said...
I think this whole debate is absolutely ridiculous. Christians never miss an opportunity to shove their beliefs on other people, but watch out if you dare present a view that differs from theirs. If the movie is so offensive to your beliefs, hey here's an idea: DON'T SEE IT! But don't start crying about it and ruining it for actual fans of the literature.
Organized religion has become a fascist state in itself. Think about it, when was the last time we had an atheist movie? Practically every Christmas, yet another bible story is released and churches swarm to it. I'm just plain sick of it. Everyone has a different view, deal with it!
I'm with AmberM. I love the books (Pullman rocks!) and have been looking forward to this movie ever since I first heard of it. Watering it down is an absolute tragedy. If there's any kind of bright side to this, the protesting will probably encourage more people to see it.
Is it too much to hope that this whole thing sheds a little more light on just how much organized religion oppresses other people (especially the intellectuals) as they have throughout history?
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11-25-2007 @ 10:41PM
jay said...
I don't see how Pullman can be accused of indoctrination when CS Lewis or Tolkien aren't. Sesame Street could then be accused of indoctrination, by the same logic. I don't see where Pullman uses the story to claim there is no God, or where he depicts the "murder of God". This never happens in the story. To me, this seems to be the typical rumor-mongering and falsehood-peddling of ignorant fundamentalists. The strategy seems to be about sinking a movie using mud-slinging. There is no mud-slinging against God by the movie. There is a depiction of an all-powerful religious institution that rules the world in a fairytale setting. Is that more slanderous than, say, the depiction of the East Indian elephant-riders who sided with Sauron in Lord of the Rings?
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11-25-2007 @ 11:44PM
Mike said...
Well, I'm not much of a Christian, but I see value and beauty in Christian art. I still tear up everytime I hear Handel's Messiah (especially live). But it is extremely telling when Christians see "danger" and try and shelter people from art, whether it be literature, music or in this case, film.
Can it still be called "faith" if you have to guard it from knowledge?
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11-26-2007 @ 12:04AM
YouFaceTheTick said...
Just a movie and just a book. I read CS Lewis' heavily Christian novels as a kid. I read the Dark Materials stuff not too long ago. I've read Ayn Rand's books. they're just books. entertainment and nothing more. The movie looks like a visual feast and I'm sure with the religion angle watered down the movies will be a tad better and far less heavy handed. If only they'll scrap the last third of the last book as that thing is dogcrap.
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11-26-2007 @ 12:51AM
Gustavo Brunetti said...
I'm a Christian guy in a mostly catholic country (Brazil), in which there are, however, several other alternatives to Christianity. Having friends with different beliefs since my early childhood made me question my religion and the existence of God many times, and even more in College, because I'm majoring in Languages and almost everybody there is atheist/agnostic. It was hard at first listening to all the reasons against God, but instead of weakening my faith, it made it stronger, because I had to find the answers to my questions. The question I have for the parents who think the movie can be dangerous to their kids' minds is: Are your faith and capability of defending and explaining your beliefs so weak that you think a book/movie will influence your children to the contrary forever? Isn't talking honestly to them better than hiding other opinions? Sooner or later, they'll stumble across these matters, and I'd prefer it to be under my supervision if I were a parent.
On an additional comment, the movie is really being badly marketed here in Brazil, and there's no fuzz about it either. I'm not even sure the books were translated to Portuguese yet! Is the Catholic Church, so politically strong here, having its influency already?
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11-26-2007 @ 5:19AM
Scott K said...
Hahaha you Christians are hilarious. Grow up and get over it.
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11-26-2007 @ 6:46AM
sirona said...
Quote: "There's no God and Christianity is a mistake." That's just plain propaganda..."
I'm sorry, but since when are those who supposedly follow Christianity guiltless of propaganda? Christianity is, in its roots, a faith built from a cult of one great man. It has not evolved to actually include the best practices of that one great man, sadly, and that is what turns folks off. Instead of squawking about the evil influences of the media (when is that Harry Potter Six due out again?) their energies would be better spent feeding the homeless, taking care of women in shelters - you know, things Jesus would do...
I had never heard of these books before all the whining about this movie, but will definitely see the movie, and if it's not too violent will buy the books for my sons.
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11-26-2007 @ 6:50AM
sirona said...
quote: "There's no God and Christianity is a mistake." That's just plain propaganda..."
Since when are those who claim adherence to Christianity guiltless of propaganda? Christianity is a system that evolved from the cult of one great man, and no longer actually includes the best practices of that great man - which is what turns folks off. Instead of whining about the evil influences of the media (when is that Harry Potter Six due out again?), their energies would be better spent working to end hunger, house the homeless, tend to those in shelters and the sick...you know, all the things jesus actually would do.
I had never heard of these books before all the 'controversy', but now will definitely see it - and if I think its not too violent, will buy the books for my sons. We keep an open household in which my children feel comfortable asking questions, so we do what we can to keep 'em coming.
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11-26-2007 @ 8:37AM
Gina said...
"If the movie is so offensive to your beliefs, hey here's an idea: DON'T SEE IT!"
That's exactly what the Christians in question are planning to do, so what's the problem? If their talking about it -- or "crying about it," as you prefer to call it -- ruins the film for you, how great a film can it be?
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11-26-2007 @ 11:11AM
Asia said...
Nice try, Gina. But I've had similar debates before and twisting my words to suit your argument just isn't going to work.
What I was saying had nothing to do with the quality of the movie (which I unfortunately can't comment on since I haven't seen it yet), but wouldn't you agree that it would ruin it for fans of the book if you got your way and the movie was banned? That, thankfully, probably won't happen. Some semblance of freedom still remains, no matter how small.
You know, most fundamentalist Christians strike me as the most vile, self-centered bigots. They parade their children in front of them like shields and insist that media is poisoning their minds. Think of the children, they cry. What they're really saying is think of OUR children. Think of the ones like us. Who gives a damn about all those other heathens, right? I mean, we're not entitled to rights because we're in the minority.
I was raised in a family of Roman Catholics (kind of lax, but still "believers") and when I told my parents that I was an atheist, you know what they said: "We love you." Even though I don't agree with what they believe, I can respect it because they respect me. Just like I respect every person of faith who has the courage to stand up and say, "Hey, you know what? Not everyone believes what I believe, but that's okay because I understand that we're all different."
How many fundamentalists can say that? How many fundamentalists do?
11-26-2007 @ 8:40AM
Gina said...
" Instead of whining about the evil influences of the media (when is that Harry Potter Six due out again?), their energies would be better spent working to end hunger, house the homeless, tend to those in shelters and the sick...you know, all the things jesus actually would do."
Are the two types of activities mutually exclusive? I see you're here engaging in a bit of cultural conversation -- does that mean you're doing it at the expense of the poor and hungry? ;-)
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11-26-2007 @ 10:47AM
sirona said...
My point, Gina, was that the Religious Right spends an awful lot of time telling the world how to behave appropriately, and they are not an authority on the subject themselves. I wonder why no one ever reads about a Hindu or Pagan priest abusing children - since these religions are constantly on the radar of the religious right, it seems to me that if that were happening, it would be big news - 'see, the heathen pagans really are evil' sort of thing.
At any rate, one's religious background never precludes the individual right and predetermination to be a jerk - whether they are Christian, Muslim, or follow the Flying Spaghetti monster! :)
11-26-2007 @ 8:46AM
KMF said...
I will definitely go see this movie. I'm a fan of Daniel Craig and like to support his films. To say that this film or book would turn anyone athiest is a bit silly. It's an over- reaction. It's like saying Harry Potter actually made kids go out and become real wizards.
I have to say that I was raised in a fundamentalist, hardcore christian atmosphere. All it did to me was leave me damaged. I have met christians that were the most intolerant, greedy, and hateful people I'd ever met. Which is really a shame. Not to say they all are of course. There are many wonderful people of all religions. I've had great discussions with athiests that were well thought out, and never reduced to anger or pettiness.
Now I still believe in God no question, and a movie isn't going to change that. I see absolutely nothing wrong with seeing stories from every side. Keep an open mind!
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11-26-2007 @ 9:24AM
Joseph Moore said...
Thoughts from a person "of faith":
- While Phillip Pullman is personally an atheist, his "Dark Materials" books don't really push an atheist agenda. What they do do (and do very well) is posit that man uses organized religion, in the name of God, to do much evil. This has been, quite simply, fact. And we'd all do good to remember this, and to teach our children in the hopes that they might avoid repeating history.
- If the Catholic church takes affront at the book's portrayal of Catholicism, then Pullman must be hitting quite close to home since he doesn't once name the Catholic Church. (It's the Magesterium.) Since he paints it in such a negative light, it's as if the Catholic Church is validating his criticism.
- If your faith is so weak that reading a book that challenges it will cause it to falter, then maybe you NEED to question it.
- Was the first Narnia movie blasted as a "tool" to "trick" children into reading Lewis' Christian "propaganda"?
- Finally, instead of relying on James Dobson, or Paster So-and-So to tell you what to think, why not read the first book yourself?
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11-26-2007 @ 9:52AM
Flit said...
Fundie Christianity is so fragile, they have to have their own TV stations, theme parks, Creationist museums, Schools (home or private), music, books, Intelligent Design (Creationism), movies, movie studios, cartoons, radio stations, Veggie tales, etc. etc. etc.
The fact that these people won't see a movie that isn't "Left Behind" isn't really news, is it?
Oh, and thank god (hehe) for any christian who is willing to take their kid to a movie that actually examines belief/organized religion from the other side of the coin to have an open discussion about it, even though most parents won't have deep discussions with their kids, and will just throw them at the theatre and pick them up in 2 hours.
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