Well as Christians we’re constantly faced with the question of where lines should be drawn in regards to life and art. Our film “In the Closet”, a religious-horror based cautionary tale, faced this in spades over this past year. “That’s too much for me! It was horrible. It was all about the demons!”

Exclaimed a woman as she left the theater at the opening in Bakersfield. “Where was God in it? Where was the hope?” she said, Followed by another woman who exclaimed, “If you really know the word then you’ll understand the storyline.” We later found out that the former lady was the pastor’s wife. Maybe she didn’t see it the way we saw it that as a person who lives in LA, we have seen the horrors that are displayed in the movie. We’ve lived in apartment buildings where the police had to surround the building because after asking a tenant to turn the music down, moments later gun shots rang out and the very guy lay in his house dead from 3 gunshots. The guys’ girlfriend was tired of being beat up and brought two guys to help protect her. Where was God in it? Did God allow the world to take him out to stop the girls suffering? Was God in it because he protected the woman who asked them to turn the music down just minutes before from getting caught in crossfire? The movie was originally written in 1999 and 10 years later chillingly prophesies the national discussion of today. For example, the controversy over legalization of marijuana currently on California’s ballot or the building of the wall along our southern border. What the pastor’s wife

obsessed on was the manifestations of the demons that we are dealing with every day, knowing that we rely on the power,

grace and mercy of God to overcome the battles with these demons.

The movie came out at Halloween, giving an alternative to “Freddy” and “Jason” and fictionalizing the real demons of children who deal with the aftermath of divorce, broken homes, and infidelity. In the movie “Jonathan” is beaten brutally by a demon tormentor played by Legendary UFC fighter Kimo Leopoldo.

Although Jonathan is the only one who sees this demon in the supernatural world, the physical effects are no less real. It parallels the physical wear and tear seen on the face of a drug addict or the toll that year of prostitution may take on a woman’s body. This film also tackles the shortcomings of a pastor “Lamont Maxwell” who strays from his purpose.

Something we see unfortunately happening too often now in some of America’s biggest churches. There are a lot of preacher’s families dealing with spiritually challenging situations that makes them question their belief in God. These children grow up witnessing the contradictions in how some of these preachers live their lives.

The moral confusion that can develop from this must be faced by these men of God. (Matthew 18:6- But whosever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.) These are sins of the heart that have plagued man since David and Bathsheba, from Presidents to preachers, from rich to poor.

This is the relevance of the film because these things are still happening every day in our nation. Maybe we should come out of the closet and say “We are a Christian Nation”. So where is God in it all? “In The Closet” is actually the first in a trilogy of films in which we will continue to see where the journey takes our characters spiritually. It’s not over yet people!!! We have always thought as filmmakers and writers that if you attempted to tell the story of Revelations from beginning to end that you would have to show things that can be very disturbing. The blood and guts of life are displayed in the Bible and unfortunately throughout life.

Likewise, the movie also explores what desperate measure people will go to obtain worldly gain. Money, power, and lust have seduced many a heart and we see that here. One question we try to provoke is “Are you living life your way or God’s way?”

The film suggests that the answer to that question can be found by examining the fruit that you are bearing. (Luke 6:43-“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.”)

Now the storyline of “Florence”, the matriarch of the family, speaks to what happens to many wives and mothers.

The character of Florence was written to have had a nervous breakdown due to the treatment of her husband. She loved a man who never loved her back in the “Christ’s love” way. What a terrible feeling that must be. And like life imitating art, in another

prophetic turn of several in the movie, one of our mothers would end up needing medications and anti-depressants to overcome the stress of mind and body brought on by her past relationship.

The message out there for women is clear but some might miss it. If you claim to be a Christian and pray to God, don’t go to soothsayers and fortune tellers and those outside the will of God to get help for your situation,
But wait on the lord. Another scary thing happening today is that if the nation’s economic situation doesn’t change and people become more destitute then people will start using more revolutionary tactics like certain facets of the current “Tea Party”. Why did the character of “Jonathan” snap and commit these horrific murders.

It’s a common tale that visits many economically challenged households where children witness the destruction of the family unit often involving v

iolent fathers.

It may not be an Obama tale but it is a very common tale in South Central Los Angeles as well as many inner cities across the country. “In The Closet” won best Religious themed film at the San Diego Black Film Festival so let’s talk about what is too much for a Christian film.

The Bible is filled with stories of violence and intrigue so should it be taboo to portray it realistically in a film? Even the title “In the Closet” scared off some Christians. Kimo Leopoldo who stars in this film explains it well at the MMA convention in Los Angeles when he talks about it referring to Matthew 6:6 King James: “But when ye prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy father which seethe in secret shall reward thee openly.” This film deals with many of the skeletons that we all have in our closets personally and as a nation.

One example of the controversy is over legalization of marijuana. Another example is building a wall along the Mexican-American border. Kimo Leopoldo, himself has admitted to having to deal with his own demons publicly as a celebrity and understands the changing and healing power of God. He is an unabashedly proud Christian warrior to the surprise of many. We've already done and continue to do promotions in the realm of horror films and through the mixed-martial arts community via Kimo Leopoldo, but we also want to keep a heavy focus on the church community.

We have a plan to capitalize on the built-in controversy of the film winning best religious film but having a substantial horror/demonic and violence theme alongside the biblical messages. Some Christian denominations shy away or outright refuse to look at anything that may portray demonic themes. Interestingly enough we find the bible filled with stories that speak about demons as well parables filled with murder and mayhem. We want to advance this film to the churches as a word-filled alternative to the normal Halloween fare that leaves

most Christians opting out of the scene. Young people can watch this film and not only get a good scare but a "cautionary tale" at the same time.

In addition to winning Best Religious Film at the San Diego Black Film Fest, it's also been solicited for some prison ministries and recently in association with a church who is supporting the vision.

One of the plans we have to advance this is a "letter campaign" which will be an open letter to the local churches that will challenge them in certain areas.(i.e., outreach). The letters will parallel the idea of JOHN'S LETTERS TO THE 7 CHURCHES in REVELATIONS. We’re sending out 15 messages to the world. They will be intended to challenge Christians to examine the merits of "In The Closet" in particular and what is "too much" for a so-called Christian film when it comes to harsher or edgier portrayals. We want to raise questions for debate...Read our blogs!...

1) Should Christian films and projects ever have demonic themes represented in them?
2) Should Christians be allowed to participate in Halloween?
3) What should our attitudes be towards it?
4) Should you stay in a church whose pastor has fallen in obvious sexual sin?
5) Should he be supported in staying in or retaking the pulpit?
6) Should Elders, pastors, bishops, and Popes be held to a higher standard?
7) As a Christian should Marijuana be legalized like cigarettes and alcohol so the government can tax it to make money?
8) Some Christians believe that once saved, always saved. Can you lose your salvation by committing the unpardonable sin?
9) If someone has the gift of foretelling the future, is it sinful to use it?
10) The bible says that if you divorce and re-marry except in the case of unfaithfulness then you commit adultery. Are you then living in a continuously sinful relationship?
11) As Christians should we support the death penalty?
12) Should Christian movies be allowed to have cursing or other worldly things in it if it’s realism attracts worldly people to the ultimate message of God?
13) Is God responsible for pain and suffering since the bible says that Satan needs permission to sift us like wheat?
14) Should Christians support laws on the books even if they contradict biblical principles?
15) Is the United States of America a Christian nation?

The Writers

Check out the controversy on Facebook and other websites:

Look for the other five parts of the Writer’s Commentary on

http://youtube.com/colsacstudios

Also visit:

http://www.colsac.org
http://www.biblicalfilms.org
http://youtube.com/
http://biblicalfilms.orghttp://intheclosetmovie.com

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