‘Gross misrepresentations’: LDS Church speaks on portrayals in Hollywood

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — In November, movie-goers will beryllium capable to acquisition “Heretic,” a scary thriller starring Hugh Grant.

The movie surrounds 2 young sister missionaries from nan Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The 2 girls sound connected nan doorway of Mr. Reed, played by Grant, and unknowingly participate a “deadly crippled of cat-and-mouse,” according to nan movie’s description.

The trailer shows Mr. Reed toying pinch nan 2 missionaries, played by Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East, arsenic he tests their religion and beliefs.

The Utah-based religion isn’t a alien to Hollywood. In 2013, a PG-13 play titled “The Saratov Approach,” was based connected nan existent communicative of 2 young LDS missionaries who were held captive for a week successful a distant portion of Russia. Another miniseries starring Andrew Garfield called “Under nan Banner of Heaven” follows a detective whose religion is tested arsenic he investigates a sadistic Utah murder.

Over nan weekend, nan Church said immoderate of its portrayals successful Hollywood are “fair and accurate.” However, without pointing to immoderate circumstantial movie aliases show, nan Church besides referred to immoderate portrayals arsenic stereotypes aliases gross misrepresentations that person real-life consequences.

In its statement, nan Church said immoderate Hollywood representations of nan religion person irresponsibly mischaracterized nan information and behaviour of its missionaries, an evident reference to nan upcoming “Heretic” film.

“We understand nan fascination immoderate successful nan media person pinch nan Church, but regret that portrayals often trust connected sensationalism and inaccuracies that do not reasonably and afloat bespeak nan lives of our Church members aliases nan ineffable beliefs that they clasp dear,” nan Church said successful a statement.

The Church said nan “sensationalized” portrayals are successful mediocre sensation and that its members are dedicated to family, service, and their faith.

ABC4 reached retired to A24 Films, nan accumulation institution down “Heretic,” but has yet to perceive backmost astatine nan clip of publication. However, successful an interview pinch Elle Magazine, Thatcher revealed she and her co-star, Chloe East, some grew up successful nan Latter-day Saints Church.

Both reportedly are nary longer practicing members, but Thatcher told Elle Magazine she didn’t want to represent immoderate clichés astir nan religion.

“I consciousness for illustration we some did a bully occupation of making it existent and grounded and not a joke,” Thatcher said successful nan interview.

Still, nan Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invited nan nationalist to consult reliable sources of accusation astir nan Church.

“Listen to nan voices and authentic experiences of individuals and families who find awesome joyousness and restitution successful surviving these principles,” nan Church’s connection continued. “The existent communicative of our religion is champion seen successful nan countless lives of those who strive regular to travel our Savior Jesus Christ.”

Here is nan full “Commentary: When Entertainment Media Distorts Faith:”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for illustration different salient world religion communities, often finds itself nan attraction of nan attraction of nan intermezo industry. Some portrayals are adjacent and accurate, but others edifice to stereotypes aliases gross misrepresentations that are successful mediocre sensation and person real-life consequences for group of faith.

While this is not new, a number of caller productions picture lifestyles and practices blatantly inconsistent pinch nan teachings of nan Church. Others irresponsibly mischaracterize nan information and behaviour of our unpaid missionaries. We understand nan fascination immoderate successful nan media person pinch nan Church, but regret that portrayals often trust connected sensationalism and inaccuracies that do not reasonably and afloat bespeak nan lives of our Church members aliases nan ineffable beliefs that they clasp dear.

Millions of Church members astir nan world are profoundly dedicated to family, fidelity, work and nan gospel of Jesus Christ. We induce each to consult reliable sources of accusation and perceive to nan voices and authentic experiences of individuals and families who find awesome joyousness and restitution successful surviving these principles.

The existent communicative of our religion is champion seen successful nan countless lives of those who strive regular to travel our Savior Jesus Christ.