ok, so i was listening to npr on the radio on the way to work this morning (yes, on a saturday ) and they posed the question, 'what was the highest grossing independent film of 2008?'
like you (probably) my mind went straight to 'slumdog millionaire' (which if you haven't seen yet- stop reading this, leave the house immediately and get thee to a theater). apparently though we are wrong. the top grossing indie film of 2008 is a film that you've probably never even heard of (and if you have i have to wonder about you).
it's called, 'fireproof' and it was made by some group that calls themselves something like the independent christian film counsel. i did like that the commentator on npr said that this group of christians was 'drawing to maginot line between themselves and the hollywood and mainstream indie film worlds- don't being to ask me how indie films are mainstream... that's another post- i just like that he actually made reference to the maginot line which clearly isn't referred to enough). it should come as no surprise that teen heart-throb cum crazy christian zealot kirk cameron starred in this film (and if you haven't seen the thing about how the banana proves creationism then you're missing out on some REALLY good stuff-- view it here-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLqQttJinjo ).
so i have no idea what this film, 'fireproof' is about (other than that it's clearly about God and Christ...) but what i do know is that it was made for $500,000 (which is pretty impressive- although i haven't even seen a clip so the production value could be super crappy) and that it pulled in... wait for it... $33,000,000.00!!! wtf??!?! when it opened (in sept of 08, i think) it actually opened at 4th!! it beat out spike lee!
it also happens that i found out their secret to success (they're not shy about sharing it). they did sneak previews all over the country for ministers and pastors, etc who then went and told their congregations that they HAD to go see this film. and you know, when God tells you you have to see something you really have no choice. this seems like totally duplicitous marketing to me (it's like tithing, i feel) but it worked.
i think that we should all boycott these films (not like you were all running out to see them anyway) because of the dubious marketing tactics (and because, judging by the promo poster below they might actually make you ill.
3 comments:
Wow. So full of errors, but yet so passionately stated. If only passionately stating the untrue was worthwhile.
I think you should keep boycotting (or, rather, continue NOT seeing these films). It seems to be working great.
hmm, the only error i see is that i wrote 'christians was' as opposed to the correct 'were'. the rest is straight from npr. i'm curious to know what it is about this post that is untrue... i'm sure npr would be curious to know as well as it came pretty much straight from them (other than the whole banana thing).
and there's no need to get sarky about not going to see the films. you post anonymously, state no position other than to say i'm wrong (without pointing out how) and fail to miss the obvious humor that was in the post. there was no passion there, just a post about a curious christian indie film.
you want to read a passionate post? go back to my post about zimbabwe or something that ACTUALLY matters (as this whole christian film world thing clearly doesn't).
Let's not forget those passionate Angelina posts. Or the Peanut Butter proves spontaneous generation video.
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