Spencer Folmar is a Hollywood director and is known for producing faith-based films. He’s also a graduate of Bible College, having earned a Certificate in Leadership from the Capernway Bible School in New Zealand. He also earned a Masters of Arts in Theological Studies from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. His latest movie was Generational Sins, a faith-based film in which two boys with a dying mother retrace their life steps and end up finding hope in their faith in God. Folmar’s production company is Third Brother Films, which describes itself as “a film production company established for the purpose of bringing compelling stories about the human condition to a film going audience in a way that artistically reflects the mind and spirit of Jesus Christ, and speaks truth to this present generation in a fresh and powerful way.”
Oh, and they’re going to start using more swear words. There’s that.
According to Folmar, they “don’t want to play within the constraints of Christian moviemaking.” This includes producing movies with dozens and dozens of profane words, including some of the worst variety. Folmar explains…
The world needs quality entertainment that speaks truth boldly. We need stories that are set in real-world settings with characters that talk about the ultimate truth that is contained in the Old and New Testaments. What makes our company unique among other Christian filmmakers is our commitment to portraying characters, both Christian and non-Christian alike, in all of their flawed humanity and brokenness. We accomplish this with realistic, real world scenarios and real life characters.
Folmar goes on to explain how Third Brother Films desires to portray characters “in all of their flawed humanity and brokenness” (IE, swearing a lot).
While we are in the “entertainment” business, our purpose goes beyond producing Christian entertainment for Christian people. That is not our calling. Our desire is to make hard hitting, thought provoking secular films with characters who are portrayed as real life, flawed people who can speak boldly of their faith without being judgmental or preachy.
You don’t want to be “preachy.” No, no. That’s not hip at all. Major turn-off.
Christian movie critics seem on board with what they call their “hard faith” approach, in spite of the use of vulgar language. The Dove Foundation has given Generational Sins its top recommendation, even though it has some “cautionary elements.” Their recommendation of the film is in spite of the fact – by their own count – the film includes 36 instances of profanity, including the “F-word.” God’s name is taken in name throughout the movie, but not the infamous “GD” or “JC.”
The reason why they’re dropping the F-Bomb? They explain that it’s all about marketing. Fomar says…
“We’re not only targeting faith-based moviegoers, we’re also going after ‘Chreasters’ — people who only go to church on Christmas and Easter. If we tell stories of adults struggling with faith, adults will run toward them, so we’re working hard on creating this new genre.”
Christians are a marketing demographic, and entertainment companies know it. But, so are nominal, fake Christians. And the best way to reach them? Worldliness. Genius. And, it’s all done in the name of Jesus and is done with commendation of Christians. It’s deceptively brilliant if you think about it.
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. – Ephesians 4:29
See also: How Entertainment Has the Church in Bondage to Sin
