Norman Stone, Christianity in Media & St. Columba

The director Norman Stone first came to my attention when I watched a brilliant documentary about The Narnia Code (all I’m saying is, it involves planets and Aslan).

My Father told me about who he was and about the fact he was a Christian, the son of a preacher (poor guy) as well as the grandson of a preacher (even worse) and that he is married to the daughter of this guy:

Magnús Magnússon

After some research a few months later I found out that he directed another documentary about C S Lewis as well as the original TV version of Shadowlands more recently he directed the BBC Florence Nightingale series.

I also recently bought a film called Man Dancin’ which he produced & directed. It’s set in Scotland and is about a ex-gang member recently released from prison. There’s a good Christian message in there without making it wet or cheesey; it’s a gritty 15! Awesome.

I’ve only watched half of it thus far; I started watching it late and a man’s gotta wake up in’t mornin’. We’ll see if I benefit from the finished product and wether it will receive the Blewog Seal of Approval.

How gritty!

I’m delighted that there are representatives out there in popular(ish) culture who are generating good quality art with an un-watered down Christian perspective.

I’m reading a book at the moment (I know, unbelievable!) it’s called Eyes Wide Open: Looking for God in Popular Culture and it’s by William D. Romanowski. I’m really benifitting from it’s clear and wise message; if you’re a Christian you have a duty to engage with the culture around you! We are commanded to “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it [the earth].”

If we are looking upon the culture we see around us as purely evil, then what hope does the world have of being reached with the message of Christ? We ought to be salt and light in this world, we are to be in this world but not of it. Engage with what you see daily, be critical, comment on it from a biblical perspective.

I was thinking about all this and all of a sudden I got an email about something called The Pitch.

The Pitch is your opportunity to pitch to make a short film with professional production support worth in excess of £20,000, a

nd to receive advice from top industry professionals.

Work on your film maker vision and delve into the Bible for inspiration

So I’m working on that with this refreshed perspective in mind.

There are people out there who have the right attitude but I’m sure there could be more. Instead of being someone who makes ‘Christian Music’ why not be ‘A Christian who makes Music’? If Christ is at the centre of your life he will touch everything you do and shape it.

Anyway, something to chew on.

And finally, some news hot off the press involving Mr Stone and this guy:

Jeremy Irons

The project is a film on the life of St Columba.

No, not him:

Him:

Of course you all know who that is but just in case you didn’t; he’s basically credited as the guy who brought Christianity to Scotland.

This film (knowing how these things go) probably won’t be out until 2011; but I’m excited to see if it comes to fruition and what it will be like.

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Oh! You want to know my favourite Jeremy Irons role? No brainer: