To Be or Not to Be

by Candace Salima | More from this Blogger

19 Apr 2006 07:35 AM

Richard Dutcher, a prominent LDS filmmaker, has stated that all the satires and comedies which have been pouring forth into the market are a disservice to the LDS faith. Oh, I beg to disagree. There is room for everything and everyone. Who can't appreciate the richness of "Singles Ward?" There was a stereotype for each person in the ward in that film. As my sister and I watched it, the viewing experience was constantly interspersed with, "Oh, that's so-and-so, or that's exactly what so-and-so was like." Isn't that what satire is all about? Pointing out the idiocies that exist within society.

If there's no room for "Singles Ward," "The R.M." or "The Best Two Years of My Life" and many others, we'd be left with Saints and Soldiers, which is fantastic, or the offerings of Richard Dutcher. No, I'm not really a big fan of his work, but he is the one that started this whole thing with "God's Army," so what's he complaining about?

I love to laugh. Laughing is good for your health, spirit and emotions - and it feels good too. It plays a necessary role in a society that is a pressure cooker waiting to explode. Good grief, if there's no room for satire in the market, then we would have been deprived of Robert Kirby in the literary field. How sad would that have been? If there's no room for satire, then Johnny B wouldn't have a job. (Hey, I think he's funny.) So to all these other LDS filmmakers, go for it. Improve your craft, work hard and continue giving us movies that make us laugh. We're really just laughing at ourselves anyway. We appreciate your efforts.

So Richard, lighten up and let these other filmmakers alone. I happen to enjoy their work.

Learn more about Candace Salima

Candace E. Salima was born right smack dab in the middle of twelve children.

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Miriam Caldwell (8030) 20 Apr 2006 02:56 AM

I agree with your blog. I've heard it said that once a culture can laugh at itself, it has finally come into its own. Some of my favorite LDS films are the satires.

kino (30) 20 Apr 2006 04:08 PM

I don't mean for this comment to sound rude, but I noticed that you got the title of Scott Anderson's film wrong; it is titled simply, "The Best Two Years." "The Best Two Years of My Life" is the filmed stage version and the play itself. Also, I would be curious to know where the statement by Richard Dutcher comes from.

Candace Salima (1604) 22 Apr 2006 01:32 AM

Thanks for the correction, it's important to get the title right. And you are absolutely right - I got the two mixed up. Richard Dutcher made this statement in a speech, I believe, at some kind of organization where he was invited to speak. I can't remember if it was a film festival or what - but it was all over the news in Utah the next day.

BigalSa5 (33) 22 Apr 2006 06:22 AM

Kino, the comment was made during the LDS Film Festival held at the Scera Theatre earlier this year. Ironically, the festival was held at the same time as the Sundance Festival.

Candace Salima (1604) 23 Apr 2006 01:17 AM

Thanks Big Al - I was having a hard time remembering where he made the comment, although the comment itself was clearly stuck in my head.