2008-02-29 01:24:03

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY: FLYING THE PURPLE FLAG

Filed under: Film
Posted by: Craig

So when we put together the Purple State Roadshow, we never thought about the colors of the universities where we’ll be screening our movie. But New York University was flying the Purple flag long before PURPLE STATE OF MIND arrived. Actually, this may have been our most blended event yet. The students were welcomed by the co-sponsors of the event. Ryan Patch represented the Navigators Christian Fellowship. He is a film major, eager to follow in the tradition of Martin Scorsese, Spike Lee, and other acclaimed NYU directors.

Amalie Ruberg offered an introduction to the Athiests/Agnostics/Freethinkers Club. We didn’t take attendance, but the Athiests might have felt a bit outnumbered even in the allegedly godless New York City…:)

John Marks read from the opening section of his book, REASONS TO BELIEVE. He framed the conversation as a question: “Will you be left behind?”

Afterwards, the first question from the audience dealt with the same premise. Did I, as a person of Christian conviction, subscribe to the Left Behind series’ worldview? I had to confess that I find such end times speculation unhelpful and often unbiblical. It is a way of interpreting the very tricky and visual Book of Revelation, but surely we need to read it in context, addressed to a persecuted people. Why have we done such a good job of communicating the bad news of Revelation while failing to paint the beautiful picture of the City of God painted at the end of the Bible: streets paved with gold, water flowing from fountains, and trees with healing in their leaves for all nations?

The New York University students are quite bright, animated and engaging. They asked smart, tough questions, directing them to John and me about specific passages in the film. We were both forced to defend our positions. Unfortunately, the building was closing just as the conversation was heating up. We continued at a local coffee shop, appropriately called, “THINK.”

John asked the Athiests club if they had read and studied the bestselling books of Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, and Christopher Hitchens. They had not. It seems slightly tough to organize a group based on unbelief. You can talk about anything. And they do. But what would be the central unifying principle? Nevertheless, thanks for the gracious hospitality.

Eventually, we divided into two circles, perfect for ongoing conversation. Students from The Navigators relished the chance to engage John about his journey out of faith. The coffee was tasty, but the discussion was even more choice. Thanks to Mike, Peter, and especially Ryan for being such stellar hosts.

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2008-02-28 00:43:38

WILLIAM F. BUCKLEY: A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH…

Filed under: Books,Politics,Television
Posted by: Craig

What a shock to hear about William F. Buckley’s death yesterday afternoon. It was odd to be in Manhattan when this scion of New York intellectual and literary life passed away. For a detailed obituary, one must defer to the excellent coverage in The New York Times (What an appreciative tribute despite The Times’ liberal leanings!). Read it and discover what “sesquipedalian” means. Even in death, Buckley continues to expand my vocabulary!

When I was a child, the loquacious Mr. Buckley was one of the few heroes in our household. His long-running PBS talk show, FIRING LINE, was a fixture in my father’s schedule. My Dad would celebrate Buckley’s insight and revel in the tough questions he put to his guests. Because of Buckley’s rigorous conserversatism, my father supported Barry Goldwater for President in 1964. There would have been no Reagan Revolution without the countless columns created by William F. Buckley decades before. His work and legacy is voluminous.

As the founder of The National Review, Buckley gave Republicans a credible forum to work out their biggest ideas. He could come off as overly patrician, but his tone was also playful at times. When I consider what passes for political discourse today, I lament how far we’ve fallen from an earlier era. William F. Buckley was a towering figure, a gentlemen and a scholar. To see the mantle of conversative media slip from the eloquent editorials of Buckley to the radio rants of Rush Limbaugh demonstrates how much ground we’ve lost. We desperately need more civil spokespeople like William F. Buckley in the 21st century.

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2008-02-26 12:32:41

NEW YORK CITY PREMIERE–a photo gallery

Filed under: Film,Music
Posted by: Craig

We had a fabulous and festive premiere at the famed New York Theatre Workshop. What a memorable space and place!

The evening began with the soulful sounds of Rob Bailey and David Clement. David and Rob scored PURPLE STATE OF MIND, fusing all kinds of American roots music–blues, folk, rock and soul. How thrilling to hear them perform their poignant and powerful songs like “Forever or So” and “On My Way” live! Evidently, their debate about the soundtrack for the film mirrored the animated discussions John Marks and I have onscreen.

We are grateful for the generosity of Jim Nicola, artistic director of the New York Theatre Workshop and his superior staf. Amongst the plays they’ve launched in the East Village are such “small” projects loaded with major ideas like Jonathan Larson’s RENT and Doug Wright’s QUILLS. Doug is a board member at the NYTW, supporting the work of some of the finest emerging playwrights and performers (like Dina Martina–Go Grady!).

To tie all the elements together, John Marks and Doug Wright went to high school together in Dallas, Texas. As a reporter in Berlin, John introduced Doug to the amazing German transvestite, Charlotte Van Mahlsdorf. Doug’s encounters with Charlotte evolved into the Pulitizer Prize-winning play, I AM MY OWN WIFE (which features John Marks amongst the forty characters demanded by this one man play). We were honored to have the Tony award-winning star I AM MY OWN WIFE, Jefferson Mays and his wife, actor Susan Lyons at the premiere. Here are two powerful, creative couples–David Clement and Doug Wright, Susan Lyons and Jefferson Mays:

The evening was a bit of a homecoming celebration for John Marks. Having worked for U.S. News and World Report and 60 Minutes, John was on familiar terrain (although I sensed some nervousness for John, showing such a personal film in front of colleagues!). Yet, the audience laughed boisterously in all the right places and asked sharp questions afterwards. For John Marks and his wife, author Debra Immergut, it was a memorable night amongst family and friends.

The post-screening conversation was lively as always. There was some debate about whether I came off as two-dimensional or three-dimensional. Undoubtedly, such bald expressions of Christian conviction where not exactly music to the ears of this New York audience. Many people talked about the roots of religious faith they abandoned to come to New York and pursue their dreams in theater, journalism and literature. But John and I definitely enjoyed answering the crowd’s pointed questions.

We were also pleased to recognize key crew members who helped us out on the film: Austin Donohue, Joshua Clayton Richard Budenhagen, and Stephen Immergut. Thanks also to the team at Harper Collins who brought all the elements together: Michael McKenzie, Emily Takoudes and Jessica Purcell.

Afterwards, we celebrated at the Bowery Bar. it was great to see singer/songwriters Rob and Erin Bailey and David Clement in their element. They deserve a hearty round of applause for bringing their poetry and grace to PURPLE STATE OF MIND.

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