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Attempting to update or contextualize a biblical parable on film is nothing new. In fact, Stewart Redwine and John Schimke have been at it for a couple years now as 36 Parables, and they are among the best at it. Redwine (Director of Photography - pictured above) and Schimke (Director) take the parables of Christ and interpret them for the 21st-century. Knowing that Jesus used primarily agrarian metaphors to talk about the kingdom of God with a primarily agrarian society, the short films of 36 Parables seek to communicate the lasting spiritual truths of the parables through contemporary imagery. The films, now distributed by Zondervan, combine Scripture, narrative, and artistic value to create a valuable teaching resource for leaders and communicators regardless of their audience’s age or familiarity with Christian teachings and tradition.
COLLIDE: Why did you choose the parables as the primary source of inspiration for your films? Have the parables always had special significance for you?
John Schimke: A few years ago I was challenged when I watched a collection of films based on the 10 Commandments by the Polish filmmaker Krystof Kieslowski. Seeing how Kieslowski adapted the 10 Commandments into narrative film caused me to look for more stories in the Scripture, which ultimately lead to a curiosity about Jesus’ parables in particular. When I was young Jesus' parables never really had any significance to me. They became significant to me when I looked at the Bible for stories and simple truths finally sunk in. The parables are the only stories God Himself took the time to tell when He was a man. I thought to myself, "I should probably understand these more".
COLLIDE: With that in mind, what is the most difficult part about updating or retelling a 2,000 year-old parable?
Stewart Redwine: The most difficult part is the cultural significance of the stories. There are a lot of things in these stories that cause confusion because we are living in a modern Western civilization and Jesus told the stories for an ancient Eastern audience. We as people, all over the world, have a core understanding of principles but as cultures we are all over the place. It's difficult sometimes to get to the core of what Jesus was saying and then find a parallel to our culture. It's not impossible, but it is difficult.
COLLIDE: What advice would you give to aspiring filmmakers with a desire to create Scripture-based films?
Schimke: Story, story, story! If you want to communicate an idea or a moral lesson you need a strong story to carry it. If you don't have a strong story you become preachy, and that is the biggest problem with Scripture-based films. If you want a great example of strong story to carry a moral tale, just read one of Jesus' parables. The crazy thing is that Jesus' stories are not very preachy.
COLLIDE: I know the Zondervan distribution of your Blue and Yellow DVDs just started, but what has been the reaction from that kind of increased exposure?
Redwine: First of all, we are thankful and honored that Zondervan/YouthSpecialties has picked us up and want to thank Stan, Jay, Jen, Roni, the Davids, Mindi, Holly, and everyone else over there for welcoming 36 Parables to the team and putting so much work into our baby right alongside us! It has only been about a couple months since the distribution kicked in and so far the responses have been enthusiastic. In one youth pastor’s words:
“The parables are told in a way that you wouldn't expect. They are not a direct/parallel modern retelling of them per se, but they are an awesome take on these parables and the videos totally relate. I'm excited to use these with my students. Although I would love to see some handouts in these, the videos are straight forward enough that you can easily make up your own discussions questions or an outline for a talk.”
We have been well received, and we want everyone to know you can get free bible studies for Blue and Yellow at 36parables.com.
COLLIDE: As a filmmaker, what are your impressions of the different ways churches use media and the collection of media resources that are available to churches?
Schimke: It depends on what church you go to. When I go to a service at Erwin McManus' church (Mosaic in Los Angeles) I see so many creative ways media is integrated into their service to deliver a message. When I go to my parents’ church I see PowerPoint. Churches that are more open to media are willing to experiment with it and that is good for growth.
I will say that almost everything I see in churches media-wise is what I have seen on sermonspice.com, or it is stuff they have done in-house, like Mosaic. My impression is that the Church, as a whole, is only getting her feet wet—she needs to dive in!
COLLIDE: Have you given much thought to what kind of films you’ll make after the 36 Parables project is complete?
Redwine: All the time! Right now we are developing three web series; one is based on the 10 Commandments. Our goal is to move on to feature films soon. We have a few screenplays we would like to see on the big screen and not much time to work on them.
We have learned being a filmmaker means always developing and working on the next project while putting the finishing touches on the current one. I believe Proverbs 21:31 says it best, “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.” We are always working to get another horse ready for battle.
For more information about the films of 36 Parables, visit 36parables.com