‘Baptists’ to hit Saipan’s big screen on Feb. 11

F. Matthew Smith, who co-produced the award-winning independent film Baptists at our Barbecue with his father and brother, is bringing the film to Saipan’s very own widescreen cinemas on Feb. 11.

The film is directed by Christian Vuissa and written for the big screen by Robert Farell Smith, Christian Vuissa and F. Matthew Smith himself, based on his brother’s book of the same title.

“It’s a fun movie,” Smith said during a brief presentation at the weekly Rotary Club meeting yesterday at the Hyatt Regency Saipan.

He said that Baptists is a perfect film not only for Mormons but for all religions on Saipan.

He said the slated date for the film’s premiere on the island is just right since at the moment, only a few good films are being shown right now,

“So it’s a great alternative for people to go, enjoy and just a have a good time,” he added.

Baptists had a world premiere in Salt Lake City, Utah on Oct. 8, 2004 and since then the response has been very favorable, according to Smith.

“The best response happening with this film is at different points in America, in New Jersey, people just went nuts,” said Smith. “In Sta. Fe, New Mexico, we were sold out a week in advance and we were the only film at the festival that had sold-out showings.”

Smith said that during the festival there were lots of films with professional actors like Robert De Niro, and Smith and his crew were astounded by the sold-out phenomenon. “So, there’s a market for this film and it’s a movie that anyone can see and enjoy,” he said.

Aside from rave reviews, the film is being licensed with Spiritual Cinema Circle, which is the largest distributor of religious movies, said Smith. It also piqued the interest of Showtime cable channel and other distributors. They are also planning to distribute the film in Asia where there are also a large number of Mormons.

Although the foreign rights and television rights have not been negotiated yet, Smith said the production outfit is shopping for opportunities in Asia. “We definitely hope to sell it to the foreign market,” he said.

The film is under Blue Crow Productions and Mirror Films and distributed by Halestorm Entertainment. Principal cast members include Heather Beers, Dan Merkley, Frank Gerrish and Duane Stephens. The film has already gathered eight film awards and recognition including Best Picture and Best Screenplay at all festivals where it was exhibited in Utah, New Jersey and Florida.

Smith is also very proud of the film’s soundtrack, which is composed of 17 covers and brand new songs ranging from Ryan Shupe and The Rubber Band to Jamen Brooks and Matt Mattson. Smith said it is comparable to the Grammy Award-winning “O Brother Where Art Thou” original film soundtrack.

Baptists at our Barbecue revolves around a 29-year-old single Mormon frustrated with his mother’s perennial efforts to set him up with girls she knows. He decides to leave Utah and accepts a forest services position in a small town, Longwinded, in the Southwestern mountains, where he gets caught up in the religious tension between two groups.

Baptists at Our Barbecue is rated PG and is a light and warm parody showing different religious prejudices. It is also a romantic-comedy film for all ages. (Marconi Calindas)