2008-06-13 00:00:29

BRECKENRIDGE: Purple State wins ‘Best Spiritual Film’

Filed under: Film,News
Posted by: Craig

On Sunday morning, the 28th Breckenridge Festival of Film was dusted with snow. Since Los Angeles won’t see precipitation until January, I welcomed the surprise. It was the start of a memorable day. (Even though my hosts, John and Carrie Balma had definitely experienced enough snow for 2008!).

That morning, Will Stoller-Lee and I addressed Breckenridge Christian Ministries. We talked about the need for Christians to crossover from private spaces where we’re comfortable, to more public spaces in the marketplace of ideas. In Acts 17, the Apostle Paul was invited to speak to the leaders of Athens in the Areopagus. This was the place of power and decision making for the community.

After our address, I hustled over to Purple State of Mind’s additional screening as “Best of the Fest.” We followed The Big Question at an 11am screening. Where was our film playing? At the Breckenridge Town Hall, in the council’s chambers! It could not have been a more satisfying example of the kind of invitation Paul enjoyed in Athens, being ushered into the seat of influence. Thanks Breckenridge!

After the screening, the audience peppered me with appreciative comments and questions. A twenty-something man from Provo, Utah wondered if I found reasons to hope. Are the generous conversations featured in Purple State of Mind possible? Absolutely, we must give them a try. A woman in the back suggested that all religions are contemptible, full of judgment and condemnation. I recommended the gracious Breckenridge Christian Ministries as a dynamic alternative. A couple in the front acknowledged that their blended marriage of a Christian and a Jew included many of the same questions and tensions. A fellow filmmaker indicated that he has long wanted to explore John’s unexpected opening question about whether Jesus may have masturbated. A couple from Colorado Springs offered appreciation because they don’t want to be labeled as ‘that kind of Christian.’ Purple State of Mind presented an alternative way of following Jesus that reflected their own faith.

Then came the closing awards ceremony. Jeffrey Lyons read the list of winners. As the film critic on PBS’s “Sneak Previews,” Jeffrey informed my childhood embrace of cinema. How cool to have him awarding the prizes! For independent filmmakers, awards and recognition are an important affirmation. Best Actor Awards for Waylon Payne for Crazy and Najarra Townsend in Tru Loved were deeply appreciated. Then, Jeffrey Lyons said, “For Best Spiritual Film…Purple State of Mind.”

Wow! I bounded onstage. What a thrill and honor to accept the award on John Marks’ behalf. I thanked our gracious and supportive producers, the Priddy Brothers. I saluted the Breckenridge Film Festival organizers for even including a ‘spiritual’ category. For a conclusion, I expressed hope that the beliefs that divide us will not overwhelm the humanity that unites us. It was a brief, fleeting, but glorious moment of sheer joy! (Thanks to Krister Persing for catching the moment in this photos).

Standing onstage with a host of accomplished filmmakers was quite an honor. So much labor and love went into every production. I’m so sorry that my partners on Purple State, John Marks and the Priddy Brothers missed our moment in the spotlight. But I’m so proud to have received this significant affirmation. Purple State of Mind awarded “Best Spiritual Film” by the 2008 Breckenridge Festival of Film!

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