BYU Studies volume 46, number 2 (2007)

This special issue is dedicated to Mormons and film. It explores the historical relationship between Latter-day Saints and cinema from multiple angles, including how Mormons are depicted on screen, their involvement in the film industry, and the role of film within the Church itself. The issue also includes analysis of film as a medium and its impact on viewers.

Key Articles & Topics

• "A History of Mormon Cinema": Randy Astle and Gideon Burton present a comprehensive history of Mormon interaction with film from 1905 to 2007. They categorize hundreds of films into five distinct "waves," discussing both positive and negative portrayals of Latter-day Saints, the work of Mormon filmmakers, and the Church's own use of film.
• Mormons in Film Depiction: James d'Arc's article specifically examines the portrayal of Mormons as vampires, drawing comparisons between the film Trapped by the Mormons and Bram Stoker's Dracula.
• Mormon Culture and Paradox: Terryl Givens explores the inherent paradoxes within Mormon culture and how they are reflected in cinema. He discusses themes like the balance between searching and certainty, the connection between the sacred and the mundane, and the dual nature of Zion as both a paradise and a place of exile.
• The Spirituality of Film: Sharon Swenson's piece argues that movies are more than just entertainment; they can profoundly affect human relationships and internal spirituality. Travis Anderson adds to this by suggesting that artists should not just avoid evil but actively seek to create "godly" art that can teach and inspire.
• Filmmaking Logistics: The issue also covers practical aspects of filmmaking, with Eric Samuelsen exploring the financial challenges and business models of Mormon cinema.
• Case Studies and Manifestos: Gideon Burton provides context for Dean Duncan's "Fit for the Kingdom" manifesto, which proposed a series of short Mormon documentaries for the internet. Thomas Lefler and Gideon Burton use the Church film Legacy as a case study to describe the various goals behind filmmaking projects.

Contents – Volume 46 Number 2 (2007)

Articles

• Establishing Shot: The Scope of Mormon Cinema, by Gideon O. Burton
• A History of Mormon Cinema, by Randy Astle with Gideon O. Burton
• The Mormon as Vampire: A Comparative Study of Winifred Graham’s The Love Story of a Mormon, the Film Trapped by the Mormons, and Bram Stoker’s Dracula, by James V. D’Arc
• “There Is Room for Both”: Mormon Cinema and the Paradoxes of Mormon Culture, by Terryl L. Givens
• Finding an Audience, Paying the Bills: Competing Business Models in Mormon Cinema, by Eric Samuelsen
• Seeking after the Good in Art, Drama, Film, and Literature, by Travis T. Anderson
• Active Spectatorship: Spiritual Dimensions of Film, by Sharon Swenson
• Toward a Mormon Cinematic Aesthetic: Film Styles in Legacy, by Thomas J. Lefler and Gideon O. Burton

Document

• A Manifesto for “Fit for the Kingdom”: Dean Duncan’s Proposal for a Mormon Documentary Series, by Gideon O. Burton

Reviews

• The Mormons, produced by Helen Whitney, reviewed by Brian Q. Cannon, Mario S. De Pillis, Richard E. Bennett
• New York Doll, directed by Greg Whiteley, reviewed by Nathan Richardson
• Angie, produced by the Tom Russell family, reviewed by Randy Astle
• The Sixth Annual LDS Film Festival, January 17–20, 2007, reviewed by Candy Eash