Miracle of Miracles

As the 2009 spring semester starts at a quickened pace, I want to take the time to reflect upon the work that I contributed to the film ‘Bicycle’, which was filmed in Tokyo, Japan in January of 2009.
To begin, I want to remind myself, and possibly others, of the original vision that we had for the film ‘Bicycle’. Not at the time when we picked the script, but when we realized the relevance of the script to Japanese culture. Everyone on the team began to look at the script/movie from a completely different, un-hollywoodized perspective and we saw even greater promise in the project. So perhaps my first piece of encouragement is simply, remember the audience. I want to challenge you to remember the differences in culture that you experienced on your trip to Japan. It is very easy to view this Japanese movie with American eyes, and forget the overall vision, and the overall audience. While working on this movie remember to step out from your perspective and view the project from the perspective of the Japanese culture.
Similar to the overall relevance, is the overall need. The Japanese culture needs this film, they need hope, and they need joy. For a second take a step out of a filmmaker’s shoes and take a step into the shoes of a missionary. Production quality aside, can this film still make a powerful impact on Japanese society? Definitely. Can this film seed hearts, open doors, and bring souls to the joy, forgiveness, and salvation that rest in Christ, Jesus? More than likely.
With these simple questions answered, remember to look at the overall scope of this film. Are you doing this for your glory, or the glory of your Father? I sure hope we are answering the latter. From day one this has been God’s project, not ours. God has allowed this film to happen, and provided when we didn’t think we could go further. We should feel blessed to be used by Him and expand His eternal kingdom. We can’t forget this!
Lastly, I want to recall the trip itself. It was an amazing blessing to travel to a beautiful location like Japan. Even more so, we had an awesome time. One of the highlights of the trip was definitely the showing of the teaser at the wrap party. Do you remember the excitement and the emotions that were stirred up in those three minutes? A sense of accomplishment, pride, and joy radiated from me (as I am sure it did from everybody). It was so fulfilling to watch a piece of the movie that we had worked so hard on, it was worth every long night, every bad moment, and every problem that we encountered during travel and production. Remember these things, but more importantly remember the Japanese people and what this film could mean for them.
We are blessed. Those are the only words that come to mind when I think about this film. We have been chosen to be a part in God’s plan to spread His word to the Japanese people, what an honor! We are not only blessed to be a blessing, but to have experienced the things we did, with the people we went with. This trip and film will be with me forever; it will be one of those memories that I never forget. It is amazing to see how far everyone has come from the very first day of class in August, to now. We have selected a script, revised, planned, scheduled, traveled, shot, experienced, and have begun post. Wow. It is really incredible if you think about it. Any movie that is completed is a miracle, and to think that we shot this film internationally is truly an achievement. Everything was against us; even something as easy as getting food, transportation etc. is incredibly difficult because of the language and cultural barriers. Despite our challenges, we rose above, came through, and delivered a film that is proving to be pretty powerful. It is my prayer that God will use this miracle of miracles to further His kingdom and spread the knowledge of Christ to the ends of the earth.
We have to remember that this is God’s film, not our own. In keeping with this mindset it is important that ALL members of our team remain humble, because no one person can take credit for the creation of this film. God had a plan, God made it happen, God provided, and to God ALONE be the glory and the praise. We have had the opportunity to be a part of something amazing, I really hope no one takes it for granted, but rather feels privileged to be God’s hands in the construction of this miracle of miracles.
~Soli Deo Gloria~
In Christ,
Christian