Nicola- Your post made me think of this interview online I read about Richard Jones. He played Mike in "Why Did I Get Married?" His answers aren't very detailed but it's enough to make his point. I took it to mean Richard Jones is a Christian and even though his character Mike wasn't, he took the part because of the overall message of the movie and the blessing it would have on someone who's dealing with a guy like Mike. Here's the link to the article...
http://www.jesusgroupie.com/saved-fly/display.php?id=10
Nicola - I do agree with you on the point that not everyone can play the good guy. There has to be bad guys in movies otherwise the story will be boring and at times Christians will have to play those roles but in the case of "Rent" it's well known for having a homosexual theme. The characters have pretty much created a support group amongst themselves for homosexuals who are living with AIDS. I would have to watch it again but right now I don't recall there being a message in there that glorifies God. I think Amante will have to survey every role individually.
But I do agree with you that her acting career should not be limited to only good roles. The overall message is what's important.
I agree with this.
Denzel Washington is a Christian (he shared that he is and I believe him).
In two of Denzel's Washington's movies, where he played a desperate father in one (John Q) and a corrupted policeman in the other (Training Day), there were lessons taught.
In John Q., although he received much support and sympathy for what he did, (I mean, his baby boy was diying and he was being 'played' by the insurance companies, big time), yet Denzel got the message across that it could not go unpunished. For in real life, who knows who would have followed suit; by going out and doing the same thing, taking people hostage.
This was a movie, but in real life, it would be a tragedy. Denzel's character, although rightfully understood, still ended with him paying his debt to society. I didn't want him going to jail. It should have been the insurance racketeers who were the catalyst behind it. Yet, there was a 'lesson' that had to be told.
In training day, he was just demonic. At the end, his character who was unrelenting, wasn't allowed to be the hero of crime. I would have preferred that he had gone to jail, but he was in a violent lifestyle, and he actually reaped Biblical principles.
His character sowed death to many and death is what he reaped. His character did not give glory to his chosen lifestyle. (I still didn't like how he was shot up at the end; it borke my heart to see that, even though it was a movie).
Too many movies today, the message has no retribution for the crimes committed. They just don't.
In the case of playing a homosexual role (which is not a crime), what is the message that the Christian is giving to others, that gives God the glory. Did the person, leave the lifestyle and give their hearts to God. Or did they give the lifestyle glory?
There are so many beautiful testimonies of gays who have been set free and live for God.
When will someone produce a movie such as that? It could be entitled:
"Living Free" or even this one,
"He Called Me, to be Free"
If the world can produce
'Broke Back Mountain", then the
Body of Christ can command that mountain to go back into the sea; for our 'Faith' moves mountains.
We are the head and not the tail; we are above only and not beneath. It's time that we set the standard of what's good in the Arts and let the world learn from us, that's it's God who gets the glory.
Make your movies Reminiscing. Make them. If Tyler Perry could come from a homeless situation, living in a car and move from mansion to manison in Atlanta, then how much more ... you can too.
No one can stop you and I can give you God's word to back it up. :Rose: