Apocalyptic Beliefs of American Evangelicals
<script language="JavaScript" type="text/JavaScript">function getSharePasskey() { return 'ex=1332475200&en=709faf668585ee66&ei=5124';}</script><script language="JavaScript" type="text/JavaScript"> function getShareURL() { return encodeURIComponent('http://movies.nytimes.com/2010/01/08/movies/08waiting.html'); } function getShareHeadline() { return encodeURIComponent('Apocalyptic Beliefs of American Evangelicals'); } function getShareDescription() { return encodeURIComponent('Waiting For Armageddon'); } function getShareKeywords() { return encodeURIComponent('?Waiting for Armageddon? is a spine-tingling reminder that some prophecies are self-fulfilling.'); } function getShareSection() { return encodeURIComponent(''); } function getShareSectionDisplay() { return encodeURIComponent(''); } function getShareSubSection() { return encodeURIComponent(''); } function getShareByline() { return encodeURIComponent('By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS'); } function getSharePubdate() { return encodeURIComponent('January 8, 2010'); } </script> By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS
Published: January 8, 2010
Who knew that one of this year?s first horror movies would arrive not from Japan or the mind of Eli Roth but from three inquisitive nonfiction filmmakers? Turning their camera on the apocalyptic beliefs of American evangelicals (estimated in the film at more than 50 million), Kate Davis, Franco Sacchi and David Heilbroner illuminate a worldview marked by absolute certainty and chilling finality.
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Respectfully and without dramatization (the ideas are electric enough), the directors observe a cross section of articulate evangelicals and accompany a Christian group on a revealing trip to Israel. But whether rhapsodizing about the Rapture (when believers will be transported heavenward en masse) or teasing out the Tribulation (seven years of suffering for the rest of us), these Christians view the approaching Armageddon with eager anticipation. ?The ultimate battle, that will be a lot of fun to watch,? one believer gushes.
?God is going to trash the planet,? says another, beaming.
These sentiments may raise goose bumps, but they?re hardly new; what is, the film suggests, is their growing political influence. Seeing confirmation of biblical prophecy in terrorism and tsunamis may not be the most helpful way to forge foreign or environmental policies.
Concluding at a Pre-Tribulation conference in Dallas, where denunciations of ?Islamofascists? jostle with vilifications of postmodernism, ?Waiting for Armageddon? is a spine-tingling reminder that some prophecies are self-fulfilling. For the film?s subjects, the writing is on the wall. And it?s in blood.
WAITING FOR ARMAGEDDON
Opens on Friday in Manhattan.
Directed by Kate Davis, Franco Sacchi and David Heilbroner; directors of photography, Mr. Sacchi and Ms. Davis; music by Gary Lionelli; produced by Mr. Heilbroner and Mr. Sacchi; released by First Run Features. At the Cinema Village, 22 East 12th Street, Greenwich Village. Running time: 1 hour 14 minutes. This film is not rated.
<script language="JavaScript" type="text/JavaScript">function getSharePasskey() { return 'ex=1332475200&en=709faf668585ee66&ei=5124';}</script><script language="JavaScript" type="text/JavaScript"> function getShareURL() { return encodeURIComponent('http://movies.nytimes.com/2010/01/08/movies/08waiting.html'); } function getShareHeadline() { return encodeURIComponent('Apocalyptic Beliefs of American Evangelicals'); } function getShareDescription() { return encodeURIComponent('Waiting For Armageddon'); } function getShareKeywords() { return encodeURIComponent('?Waiting for Armageddon? is a spine-tingling reminder that some prophecies are self-fulfilling.'); } function getShareSection() { return encodeURIComponent(''); } function getShareSectionDisplay() { return encodeURIComponent(''); } function getShareSubSection() { return encodeURIComponent(''); } function getShareByline() { return encodeURIComponent('By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS'); } function getSharePubdate() { return encodeURIComponent('January 8, 2010'); } </script> By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS
Published: January 8, 2010
Who knew that one of this year?s first horror movies would arrive not from Japan or the mind of Eli Roth but from three inquisitive nonfiction filmmakers? Turning their camera on the apocalyptic beliefs of American evangelicals (estimated in the film at more than 50 million), Kate Davis, Franco Sacchi and David Heilbroner illuminate a worldview marked by absolute certainty and chilling finality.
<!-- start div#articleInline -->
Respectfully and without dramatization (the ideas are electric enough), the directors observe a cross section of articulate evangelicals and accompany a Christian group on a revealing trip to Israel. But whether rhapsodizing about the Rapture (when believers will be transported heavenward en masse) or teasing out the Tribulation (seven years of suffering for the rest of us), these Christians view the approaching Armageddon with eager anticipation. ?The ultimate battle, that will be a lot of fun to watch,? one believer gushes.
?God is going to trash the planet,? says another, beaming.
These sentiments may raise goose bumps, but they?re hardly new; what is, the film suggests, is their growing political influence. Seeing confirmation of biblical prophecy in terrorism and tsunamis may not be the most helpful way to forge foreign or environmental policies.
Concluding at a Pre-Tribulation conference in Dallas, where denunciations of ?Islamofascists? jostle with vilifications of postmodernism, ?Waiting for Armageddon? is a spine-tingling reminder that some prophecies are self-fulfilling. For the film?s subjects, the writing is on the wall. And it?s in blood.
WAITING FOR ARMAGEDDON
Opens on Friday in Manhattan.
Directed by Kate Davis, Franco Sacchi and David Heilbroner; directors of photography, Mr. Sacchi and Ms. Davis; music by Gary Lionelli; produced by Mr. Heilbroner and Mr. Sacchi; released by First Run Features. At the Cinema Village, 22 East 12th Street, Greenwich Village. Running time: 1 hour 14 minutes. This film is not rated.
