Freetown — from the Makers of the Saratov Approach

There is a new, independently made movie out about Mormons — this time about black Mormons. Here is the trailer below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=yr07X7jaMw8

Here is the article on it…

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/seth-adam-smith/are-mormons-playing-the-r_b_7090688.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592

And here is the teaser:

So, how are the Mormons handling a theatrically released feature film that draws attention to the “cognitive dissonance” as one of the characters in FREETOWN refers to the priesthood ban? Yes, right in plain sight, not hidden in metaphor, or slow-tossed like a softball, you have a black Mormon missionary, discussing with a black Mormon leader the feelings of confusion that he felt when he first learned of the, according to the character’s dialogue, “racist policy.” The discussion is out there, for all to see and hear, in 5.1 surround sound. Heavy themes are prevalent throughout the often suspenseful and thought-provoking film. It’s something you’d think “the faithful” would avoid.

But, to their remarkable credit, they aren’t shying away from it–not at all. They’re speaking up on twitter, they’re inviting their non-Mormon friends, they’re even organizing in groups and requesting screenings in their areas. From packed theaters in Washington D.C., to Oxnard, CA, to as far away as Accra, Ghana, FREETOWN seems to have become more than a simple “Meet the Mormons – Africa Edition.” It’s providing an opportunity for Mormons of all types to speak loud and clear about acknowledging their past, being responsible for their present, and moving ahead as a multi-racial, world-wide church, embracing the future.