USA/Italy,
2007, 88 min
Shown in 2007
CREDITS
- dir
-
Michael Jacobs
- prod
-
Michael Jacobs, Zack Sanders, Matt Woods
- editor
-
Kyle Henry
- mus
-
Jeff Forrest
- source
-
Revolve Productions. EMAIL: michael@revolveproductions.com.
- premiere
-
West Coast Premiere
-
COMMENTS
Michael Jacobs and documentary subject Richard Gazowsky attended.
OTHER
Most filmmakers are drawn to their work by a strong creative impulse and a driving passion to tell a particular story. Few are called by God to make a magnum opus. Meet Richard Gazowsky, pastor of the Voice of Pentecost Church in San Francisco and self-anointed film director. When a message from God instructed him to start a film company, Gazowsky knew he had no choice, and Christian WYSIWYG Filmworks was born. Despite his complete lack of filmmaking experience, Gazowsky goes into production on Gravity: The Shadow of Joseph, an overtly religious sci-fi epic pitched as “Star Wars meets The Ten Commandments.” Shooting on 70mm to achieve true biblical proportions, Gazowsky spares no expense in amassing a large crew (featuring family members in key roles), state-of-the-art equipment, elaborate props and costumes and a principal shooting location in Italy. A highly ambitious undertaking, but the project is readily blessed—and partially financed—by members of Gazowsky’s congregation. However, production hinges on the $100 million promised but not yet delivered by Jesus-loving German investors. In the meantime, the crew works on blind faith. Miracles and blessings soon give way to a series of technical—perhaps satanically influenced?—difficulties. But the pastor’s divine directorial vision keeps his filmmaking flock resolute in their mission to make this movie for their “audience of one” (God). Back from Italy, they lease the Treasure Island Film Studio to continue production. Inexperienced and in over their heads? Clearly. Committed and motivated to make their movies? Absolutely. Which makes them not too different from passionate, persistent filmmakers of any faith.
—Joanna Parsont
FACTOID #188
According to an item in the 1969 Halloween edition of the Hollywood Reporter, Swedish director Bo Widerberg cancelled a Festival tribute at the last minute with a cryptic telegram from Stockholm that read, ’Sorry impossible to come. Must stay in bed.’
