Show ' i2000 NTTHMEW 24 Working on 'God's Army' March Friday imHwmI people tend to do when they're writing our stories They think that they have to generirize evnydnqg taking everything thafs unique out of the charac-te- n taking their faith and k everything away from them thafs really powerful" Dutcher pulled from his owi missionary experience for the"writing of "God's Army" TheKansas native served an LDS mission in the Veracruz region of Southern Mexico "Almost all the stories are autobiographical Condensed fictionalized but very autobio- ! me Richard Dutcher is the man behind the new film about Mormon missionaries ‘God's Army" Page 4 A visit with - film's creator Army" isn't you’re typical Salt Lake City Temple Square Visitor's otTs f v Center fare And thafs a good thing if you ask writerproducerdirector actor Richard Putcher The church isn't located in downtown Salt Lake City The church is located around the world I think the time when all our media comes from Salt Lake City is done and I think our leaden would agree with me Our leaders have been encouraging us to do this sort of thing yet members have been waiting around for the church to do it" Dutcher said in a phone interview from his Mapleton Utah home What "this sort of thing is" is film about LDS an missionary work in Los Angeles — a dramatic departure from the softly lighted gentle perfect LDS productions of pasL Dutcher it appears n not exactly following die Church line although he would argue that is exactly what the film does "That seems such a funny thing to me to consider 'God's Army1 edgy or radical is mind I’ve had sevboggling to me eral people say this is the best film they've ever seen and I think that's because the film speaks to them like no film has ' ever done" The filmmaker continues that train of thought in a press release ” My example is always Tiddler on die Roof' You cant take the Judaism out woiridnt wxkr of thatmovie 1 But tftkfs exactly Wh&tMoiitobti graphical' If long lines and large box- - Presented by the die same question? Making all release concerned with the film a bit Success wasn't always his uncomfortable "Sometimes we are really ter-companion Dutcher found Ms hard to film for funding pH HiiwinMn Ineffective come by but while most of you know "The first thing I did was them (acton) had no idea what what all Mormon entrepreneurs : the chinch was when they startdo — which is to contact all die ed they all left with very posiMormons rich tive experiences" That didnlt wort There not It seems audiences at Utah interested in making movies theaters are doing the same parThey've been burned too many ticularly if pflrons in Logan are times" his ness release endains any inmeanon Which leads Dutcher to believe he has Ironically one of Dutcher1! first large investors for die film achieved success with what he was a member of die Christian deems a "breakthrough" film Science faith And in die end But has he gone over die edge? Dutcher carried that same conHas he revealed too many "personal" dungs as one filmgoer cept throughout It was very select he to important says putit? collaborators for sevS "I don't believe dpt at all I eral key positions And in case didn't show anything in this film that wouldn't be appropriate for you're woddering the majority of actors and actresses are not a to see There's LDS nothing inappropriate That feelWill any of them be baptized? ing just comes Bran the foci It was actually a point of contention for Dutcher as Mormons flocked to the acton and actresses at die premiere asking well-kno- 5 office receipts at Utah theaters ' are aw indication “God’s Army” is ell on its way into theaters across the country at the very least across the West Excel Entertainment Group Inc a Salt Lake City company has assumed distribution of the film with plans for mass releases in Arizona Nevada Idaho and California before the end of April and an eventual foal of a The Chester Mirada Play intwnriwiul : ? Herald tiA r non-LD- ‘ Music by Beniamin Britten Cnrfip Orchestra Director Dr Will Kesling Musical Director Bonnie Slade “Mardi 24tfi 7:30 pnu 7:30 pnu 'Kjent 200 Concert Wall 'Utafi State 'University $5IndividuaJ $15immediate family Tickets available at The Book Table Keepsake Kottage and Lee's Marketplace or at the door SSMianSSy Mato Eccfn Catos FNttiMlagMCr UUI Arts CawwN HEX WiifeiagtM DC taisM Sr an USU Musk Dspaftmat (nan fewatlM rwtowW wdsr wstisl it V ’ 1 ’ St- - h ' ' - ffwwtst eSS Sowy Hiwti Isrtos Sw YWt t it nwvier y'di: non-Morm- on CfiildmiW Cfiair Mardi 25tfi V' we're not used to seeing these How do you ' things on film tell a story about misiionaries without including these things?" Dutcher certainly didn't ask n forpennissian T didn't ever submit it for approval I never asked for per musionto do it mostly because I understand duifs not the business they're in Our church leaders are responsible for providing ordinances and moving die church forward" 7 r' And tptaking of moving far- j ward Dutcher u He's already " j Parted work on Ma next film Will it have a Mormon edge to ! it? Thafs all I want do do now Someday I may want to make a cop movie but a will probably be a Mormon cop ltiiiH I iii 11 A Il u i’( ' —by Nancy Botfly! Cacha Magazine adtor! ' |