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SALT LAKE CITY -- Amy and Shawn Kenney are filmmakers, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but they do not make Mormon films. They make Christian films.
“The difference between a Mormon film and a Christian film is that one is geared to an LDS audience — usually with subject matter or references that are uniquely LDS,” said Shawn Kenney, who pulls double duty as writer and producer. “While a Christian film is faith based, it is inspirational, not necessarily denominational.”
“A Christian film may appeal to those of many different religions and backgrounds," he added. “Where as a Mormon film may not be completely understood by those without some Mormon background.”
The reason such a differentiation is made is because of the advent of “Mollywood” — films written by and for the LDS community that are marketed in the Mormon corridor and then are distributed through the Internet and LDS retail sources specifically for Mormons and those who understand them. Many of its creators cite a dearth in family films for the need to creating their own opportunities.
"What we have in Utah is fairly unique," said Austrian filmmaker Christian Vuissa, Utah film festival founder at a showing earlier this year. "Outside of Los Angeles and New York, there's not really a community like us that makes films on a consistent basis."
It was a coup of sorts to get the DVD into Walmart. Walmart is looking for quality films for their Christian footprint banner, and our film fit the bill.
–Shawn Kenney
The Kenney’s established their company, Illumin8ed Productions, to create films that “shine the light of the gospel throughout the world.” With their first movie they have tackled impressive territory in Utah, the Midwest, and what is known as the Bible belt in the south.
The Kenney’s first movie collaboration, where he produces and she directs, is “Stand Strong,” which was released theatrically in 2011. It was recently added to the “Christian footprint” program at Walmart. It received positive reviews from the Dove foundation, a Christian-oriented not-for-profit organization, creator of the Dove “Family-Approved” Seal.
"It was a coup of sorts to get the DVD into Walmart.” said Kenney, who is currently in production on the couple's third film. “Walmart is looking for quality films for their Christian footprint banner, and our film fit the bill."
"Stand Strong" tells the story of a man who measures his success by counting the things he owns. Though he appears to have it all, ownership does little to fill the void of a purposeless he feels in his life. Broken relationships, isolation and pain for himself and his family, are the result. Through a series of financial and family crises, the man and his family are stripped of all they own and given another chance to get it right.
“Few in the industry have looked at our (home) address and asked us about our Mormon faith. We are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and our productions and production values are in keeping with our Christian beliefs. However, our being Mormon hasn’t been an issue.”
The musicians were not of our faith, but that was never a concern. They knew what we believed and they knew about us.
–Shawn Kenney
Music for the film was provided by Christian musician and producer T Cullar. The title song was written by Chris Soto and performed by the group “3 in the Same”, a Christian Rock band out of Castro Valley, Calif.
“The musicians were not of our faith, but that was never a concern. They knew what we believed and they knew about us. As Christians we had the same goals, to leave a message of hope and inspire faith” said Kenney. “Though our membership in our church is not anything we downplay, it is not an issue with our friends of other religions because we share core values of hope, faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ as our Savior.
“My favorite film of all time, "Amazing Grace," doesn’t necessarily hold a label as a Christian film. It was not created by, or aimed at any specific denomination,” said Kenney. "Yet there is an undeniable Christian theme."
Amazing Grace, made in 2006, is about the campaign against slave traders in the British empire led by William Wilberforce, who pushed anti-slave trade legislation through the British parliament. The film also tells of John Newton and his experiences on a slave ship as well as his religious conversion, which was influential on his writing of the poem later used in the hymn “Amazing Grace.”
Christian films are intended to leave a positive way of thinking in their wake, Kenney said. They empower, they leave faith and hope. They can be funny or serious, be produced by any religion, he added.
"We plan on continuing, with our second film already in the can, and production starting on a third. It gets more fun as we go along," Kenney said.
Kenney said the couple wants to share their message of unconditional love and peace. They also want to be successful enough financially that they can do it again, and continue to influence and inspire regardless of the denomination.
"Stand Strong" is currently available in DVD. The Kenney's second film, "Uphill Battle," is set for release in 2012.
Davison Cheney writes, often humorously, at davisoncheneymegadad.blogspot.com
