Well, now, here’s a conundrum. This being a movie and gaming site, one would imagine that we try to avoid over-politicization. But, there’s just no way around this one. Because former Senator Rick Santorum (remember him?) is going to run a movie studio.
Now that I got up off the floor from my fit of hysterical laughter, let’s look at this marvelous announcement. Santorum has been elected the CEO of EchoLight Studios, a film studio that intends to bring ‘faith-based’ films to the big screen. Their first film, The Redemption of Henry Myers, will be released on September 1, 2013.
Santorum announced his ascension to the CEO title last Saturday. Here’s what he said:
“This is the right place and right time, and I’ve jumped in with both feet. I often say that culture is upstream from politics, and I know entertainment also can be strength and light for people who want to be uplifted and reinforced in their values.”
When we hear phrases like ‘faith-based’ and ‘reinforced in their values,’ we are usually talking about one form or another of a conservative Christian belief structure. I doubt that openly the conservative and Catholic Santorum is interested in making faith-based films for Jewish or Muslim communities. He’s talking about his own particular brand of Christianity – which many find unfriendly and borderline offensive.
What, other than his name-brand and conservative religious beliefs, qualifies Santorum to run a movie studio? As far as I know, the guy has never run a company in his life. He was a moderately successful senator, but his presidential campaign has practically become a by-word in failure and crazy. Still, he has a recognizable name and we’re all pretty aware of what his beliefs are, so putting him front and center for a ‘faith-based’ film company makes good sense. Gosh, I hope he doesn’t run EchoLight into the ground.
Santorum has been a major proponent of conservatives being involved with and influencing culture, and he’s at least practicing what he preaches. Given the polarization of his brand of politics and religion, however, he’ll be preaching to the choir. The rest of us will probably just laugh.
