Jesus Camp
Dir: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady
2006
*****
2006's Jesus Camp is shocking. Not shocking because it tells us something society wasn't aware of as such, but quite how excepted the subject matter is. This isn't cutting edge investigative journalism, it's very simple stand and shoot stuff and that makes it quite a frightening watch. No one openly challenges the subject and everyone in the film seemed to be quite happy to contribute to the filming, all the better for documentary makers Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady and Mike Papantonio but terrifying that they were allowed in many respects. Their restraint must have taken a lot of will power, I applaud them for that. Personally, I wouldn't batter an eyelid if this film were to be re-categorized as a horror. The clever thing about this fly-on-the-wall documentary is the idea of acceptance. It's not the hate or ignorance that is on display that frightens the most though, we've seen this before. It is disturbing to see such young people mislead and manipulated, even more so when the manipulators actually say "I don't see why we can't brainwash them" but it is the acceptance of the parents, the believers and those involved that there is nothing wrong with what they are saying, even when they contradict themselves that really sends the shivers down the back. I liked the fact that the opposition, or 'voice of reason' if you like, came from a Christian, a real one that goes to a real church and believes religion and politics are two very different things. You have to be pretty naive to not realise that many of the worlds problems stem from religion but to see it up close and invited can be quite deeply disturbing, especially when it can be absolutely anyone who is doing the preaching.