I happened upon a documentary the other morning on Sundance Channel that I highly recommend. I should be less surprised that it is about a church.
(It was Sunday, after all.)
An Audience of One follows Richard Gazowsky, a Pentecostal pastor from San Francisco who used donations from his congregation to found a movie studio and production company. He said he received a vision while praying on a mountaintop to spread the Gospel through filmmaking.
Stone tablets are so B.C.
The documentary begins as Gazowsky and his followers are in pre-production on their full-length feature, Gravity: The Shadow of Joseph, described as a ‘biblical science fiction.’
The movie poster tagline reads “filmmaking is hard.” Gazowsky would no doubt agree. During principal photography, the novice director only manages to get two scenes in the can during their five days on location in Italy.
Cameras jam. Cranes freeze. Cords snap. Tempers flare. Of course, you see that kind of ‘tech diff’ on film sets all the time.
What makes Audience of One a must-see is watching Gazowsky lead his congregation on this journey. Despite the setbacks, the lack of funds, and — let’s face it — the project’s absolute and total failure, the preacher constantly spins the story in such a way, his followers never blink.
Even though the movie is never been made. Even though their major investor never comes through. Even though the city shuts them down.
They call it faith. But on camera, under the harsh glare of the lights, the delusions are harder to disguise.
During her four days in Manhattan, we saw two Broadway shows, a taping of Anderson, a movie on a rainy day, shopping, holiday lights, more shopping, and lots and lots of food, drink and wonderful conversation.
Open arms
What can help you both build up your immune system and decrease your risk of heart disease and stress?
Hint: it’s not a pill, an exercise routine or the now ubiquitous green smoothie.
Fantastic, huh?
Lucky for all of us, today is National Hug Day! The holiday was established in 1986 to encourage PDA-phobic Americans to ‘reach out, reach out and touch someone.’ So now’s your chance to get out there and improve your health, your happiness and your overall state of being.
You’ll probably freak out a few people along the way, but hey — that’s just a bonus for feeling so gosh darn happy!
(See you out there.)
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Posted in Commentary, Exercise, Family, Friends, Health, Holiday, Humor, Life, Love, Philosophy, Relationships
Tagged commentary, exercise, family, friends, green smoothie, Health, heart disease, Holiday, hug, hugs, human contact, Humor, immune system, life, National Hug Day, National Hugging Day, pills, Relationships, stress, well being