On June 12th, I attended a screening and Q & A for the film Bunker Hill. Writer/Director Kevin Wilmott was there to field discussion at the end of the film, in an event hosted by the ACLU. First off, I have to declare my geek factor was running high because this was the first time I've attended an event like this, with filmmakers and stars present, as well as a rousing discussion hosted after the film. I've attended screenings, and I've participated in Q & As before too. But this time out the visionary behind the film was present with us, and willing to really dig deep into his artwork. It was a fascinating evening.

Bunker Hill will be reviewed at HJ in a separate piece, but it is a very interesting and inflammatory film. The rough idea is that an attack has taken place on America once again, yet in a small Kansas town; how would that play out? The film is shot as a Western, complete with main street showdowns and dusty crossroads. Yet it digs into the tougher issues we face as Americans in the post-9/11 landscape. It also happens to dig into those issues in a compelling way, telling a unique and touching story.

During the screening a man spoke up in protest about the violence in the film. He was encouraged to share his thoughts after the film and was allowed to do so after the credits rolled. This was the beginning of a very fascinating discussion! Many viewpoints were represented among the audience, and all were allowed to share and discuss with Kevin Wilmott.

When I felt compelled, I went to the microphone to ask two questions:

1) What is the production status of Bunker Hill, and how can we support this film?

2) What role do you think the Church has to play in fixing the hard realities we face after 9/11?

Wilmott says that Bunker Hill is currently being screened for audiences and used to host discussions. He is hoping to distribute the film internationally but isn't there yet. He is hoping that Bunker Hill will be promoted well via articles like this one across the Internet, and that he'll pick up good distribution.

His response to my second question was fascinating. As I asked, I named my own faith as a Christian, and suggested that the Church was portrayed in a fairly negative light in the film. I then asked if Wilmott thought the Church had any relevant way to help increase peace amongst our warring political parties, and amongst warring religious groups. In response, Wilmott claimed his own committed faith in Christ, and said that it is precisely because of his Christian faith that he deals harshly with the Church in his film. Wilmott is trying to speak hard truths to the Christian church about what our role needs to be in bringing about peace and reconciliation after 9/11.

Wilmott would likely suggest that his film speaks a need for tolerance to the American church. Can the Church actually help or even save people in the midst of crisis? Or can we simply point out people's faults and errors? And how will the Church become more relevant to the work of peace and reconciliation?

Check out my review later for more details on Bunker Hill, and if you'd like to see some of Wilmott's work, you can currently rent his earlier film, CSA: Confederate States of America.

Wilmott has a lot to say to America, not to mention the Christian church. Not everyone will agree with what he has to say, but he welcomes the discussion and healing that can come from the films he is creating.