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Hi friend,
Recently, some young filmmakers have embarked on an ambitious project to film modern adaptations of 36 of Jesus' parables in dramatic short films. They have just completed the second in the series, Purple, and are in post-production on the 3rd. These short films (3 per disc) are extremely well-done and showcase some wonderful new talent in Christian film. It's always wonderful to see artistic interpretations of such well known and familiar stories, breathing new life into these truths. These DVD's are designed not just to entertain, but to be an aid for sermons or small group Bible studies.
We have made a 36 Parables Pack to allow you to get both DVD's in the series in one convenient package, also giving you an even bigger savings. By supporting these young filmmakers, you will help them to continue making these films and reach their ultimate goal of 12 DVD's of parables. You can learn more about the filmmakers behind them in our featured filmmaker interview series this week.
If you enjoy Christian short films, you may also be interested in some new short films like No Greater Love and films like Most (The Bridge), The Least Of These and the popular Nooma Collection in our Short Films category. See how today's filmmakers are using the visual medium of film to aid the church in its mission today.
Finding films with the Message,
Rod Henczel
Editor
ChristianCinema.com
Get both DVD's in the ongoing series portraying Jesus' parables
For nearly 2,000 years, the parables of Christ have instructed and inspired. Now, these powerful stories are re-told for today's audiences.
Each DVD in the series contains short films depicting three beloved parables in modern situations, thought-provoking teaching tools that capture the mind and heart.
Buen Vecino
- Based on the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37)
- Trouble at work descends on a hotel maintenance worker
Buried Talent
- Based on the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
- A rich man hires three artists to paint his wife
Found
- Based on the Parable of the Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10)
- A wanderer searches for his most prized possession
Out Of Reach
- Based on the Parable of the Friend at Midnight (Luke 11:5-8)
- A young girl tries to persuade her father to let her play with his antique fire truck
The Car Lot
- Based on the Parable of the Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-13)
- A car salesman is forced to think creatively in order to obtain a new job.
Sean
- Based on the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree (Luke 13:6-9)
- A high school teacher fights for a student facing expulsion
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Featured Filmmakers: Stewart H. Redwine & John Schimke
Stewart H. Redwine and John Schimke are two of the creative forces behind the short film series “36 Parables”. Based on Christ’s parables, each DVD in the 12 part series will contain 3 films.
Stewart (director of photography) is married to Rebecca H. Redwine, his best friend, reality check, support, dietician and personal trainer. John (writer and director) is the youngest of 3 children, and isn’t married, but does know who he wants to marry!
CC: How long have you been in filmmaking?
Stewart: If creating a flip book story about dinosaurs counts, then I started when I was 6 or 7. I asked my mom to take several photographs so I could create a flip book.
John: About 15 years. My friends and I were making little films when we were in 5th or 6th grade – they were goofy and funny. I grew up in Lodi, California, a really small town where there isn’t really much to do. Most kids used drugs or alcohol when they wanted something to do – I chose to do film, so from High School on, I was into filmmaking
CC: So how do you get from flip books and goofy 5th-grade movies to creating and filming “36 Parables?”
Stewart: For me, the journey is the real destination. Every time I go out to tell a story I learn more and more about people, stories and technology.
John: In high school, when a teacher gave the option to do a paper or a presentation in class, I’d always choose the presentation so I wouldn’t have to write a paper. I’d get “A”s for my videos, and “C”s for my papers, so I did as many videos as possible!
My parents wanted me to “have a real Career” – like law, or medicine, or teaching. Then I went to study film at Azusa Pacific University, and saw my determination, so they became supportive of it. After APU, I went on into the Directing Program at the American Film Institute (AFI).
CC: Where did the idea of doing short films based on Jesus’ parables originate?
John: I was taking a film and theology class at APU and was introduced to a project called “The Dekalog” – ten television dramas each based on one of the Ten Commandments. The stories were really amazing – they illustrate why the commandments exist. I had never seen anything like it in my whole life. I grew up in church, and most, if not all, of Christian entertainment wasn’t very good, “Dekalog” showed me how religion and cinema could mix together.
It made me think about the Parables of Jesus, and because Jesus told them His parables in ways that fit in with the culture, they were very meaningful to the people. It was just an idea until after I finished AFI, and decided to make the idea tangible. Someone offered a little seed money for the project, so I invited Stewart H. Redwine and David Gaw (producer) to join me in the project of bringing 36 of Christ’s Parables into film.
Stewart: I worked with John on his senior thesis film at APU as his DP (director of photography), and we discovered an artistic chemistry neither of us had experienced before. We were able to shoot the first film, “Found,” for no money in John’s hometown of Lodi. We’ve completed 3 of the 12 DVDs we plan to produce for 36 Parables. “Cyan” will be released in a few months, and then “Amber” goes into production. Right now, we’re focusing on marketing so that more people know about our project, and it can get into the hands of preachers, teachers, and small group leaders.
CC: Do you have an idea about what’s next after you finish “36 Parables?”
Stewart: Currently I am also working on a project concerning Christians and their response or activity during Black History Month. I’m also putting together a project that looks at mental disorders in the Church, and how Christians handle very real mental maladies. The bottom line is, I see visual media as a tool that can help people see, learn and discuss the most important issues in life. Putting that into practice is what I plan to do for now, with all the skill, ability and knowledge God has given me.
John: I want to continue moving toward my ultimate goal: directing feature length films. I love telling longer stories as opposed to short ones.
CC: Speaking of long vs. short, what are the challenges of making a short film rather than a longer feature one?
John: In many ways, the short is more challenging. In any story, you need to set up a world and people in that world that you can connect with and understand what they want or are doing in the story. What problems arise? How will he solve them, and will he accomplish what he wants? When you have just 5 minutes, it gets very difficult. So, you have to think: what is the best way to communicate the story in such a short period of time? All the films we’ve done so far were shot in 1 day. It may seem simple because they are short, but for 5 minutes of finished film, we worked for 12 hours – and still wished for more time!
In a feature length film, you have much more time to develop the story and characters, and much more filming time.
Stewart: I’ve never shot a feature film, but I know our challenges: story, story, story.
CC: So after the audience has watched your film, what do you want them to feel and/or think?
Stewart: We want them to have an emotional response to the story – either positive or negative – as long as they feel something. We also hope they revisit the source material – Jesus’ parables – with a little more understanding and a lot more questions.
John: I also want them to feel they’ve taken the journey emotionally with the characters in the story, and then I want them to think about why it happened that way and why it would connect with Jesus’ Parables.
CC: Who has inspired and guided you as filmmakers?
John: Krzysztof Kieslowski – the man who did “The Dekalog.” He was the inspiration for how to adapt Christ’s Parables. Also Terrence Malick (“The Thin Red Line”, The New World”) and Fritz Lang, a German silent film director (“M” and “Metropolis”). He was making films during the birth of cinema and stretched the ideas of how films were made both technically and storywise. Also, his films deal with the dark complexity of being human, or what Jesus calls “Sin.”
Kenneth Bailey’s books (author of “Poet & Peasant” and “Through Peasant Eyes”) helped me think about translating the parables into western culture. I also have some pastors I talk with when I need special insight into the Parables.
Stewart: Steven Speilberg and Janusz Kaminski (“Munich”) are the ideal Director/DP team, and I desire to emulate the career and work of those two masters. They have a unique working relationship. I also look to Roger Deakins, Michael Man, Spike Lee, Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Robert Richardson, and Dion Beebe.
My crew (Laurel Labate, Krissy Thorsen, Phil Eastvold, Nick Swedlund, and Nick Morgan) really enables me to work and think creatively. Without them, I’d have been stuck so many times. I cannot thank all of them enough for the guidance, help and inspiration through these first 9 films.
CC: Any advice someone gave you that has been invaluable?
Stewart: A veteran DP told me once “Light the darkness.” Technically, it’s great sense. On a spiritual level, it’s all that can save humanity from outer and utter darkness. On set and off set, that is my job.
John: Several bits: Make every film like it is your last. Only make the film if it is something you believe in. Show, not tell. And one piece that is really valuable: 2 + 2 = 5 (it’s encrypted)
CC: John, I’m sure that you’ll tell us what that means soon. In the meantime, do you have any advice you’d offer future filmmakers?
John: Sure – story is more important than technology. Just because you shoot with high-tech equipment doesn’t mean your film will be good. And, always be humble in your craft, because it will keep your eyes open to the really important things: God 1st, Family 2nd, Film 3rd. If you put film on top, you’re upside down.
Stewart: I concur. And I would also encourage everyone who has an itch to scratch it. If you want to make a story, make it, upload it to the internet (YouTube.com, or your own blog) then tell all your friends about it. Then go make another one. Get to work – crank out the stories you want to tell – it has never been easier.
CC: Thanks so much, y’all. We look forward to the next set of Parables!
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