Jesus Camp (2006)

A documentary on kids who attend a summer camp hoping to become the next Billy Graham.

Directors:

Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady

Stars:

Mike Papantonio, Lou Engle, Becky Fischer

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Lou Engle	...	Self
Becky Fischer	...	Self
Ted Haggard	...	Self
Mike Papantonio	...	Self - Commentator

Storyline

Jesus Camp follows several young children as they prepare to attend a summer camp where the kids will get their daily dose of evangelical Christianity. Becky Fischer works at the camp, which is named Kids on Fire. Through interviews with Fischer, the children, and others, Jesus Camp illustrates the unswerving belief of the faithful. A housewife and homeschooling mother tells her son that creationism has all the answers. Footage from inside the camp shows young children weeping and wailing as they promise to stop their sinning. Child after child is driven to tears. Juxtapose these scenes with clips from a more moderate Christian radio host (who is appalled by such tactics), and Jesus Camp seems to pose a clear question: are these children being brainwashed?

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Plot Keywords:

evangelical | bible belt | pentecostalism | cardboard cutout | fast food restaurant | 

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Taglines:

America is being born again

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Genres:

Documentary

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some discussions of mature subject matter

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to DVD commentary by the film's directors, Mike Papantonio, who offered commentary on many of the scenes depicted in the film, was added later on because they felt there wasn't any "tension" in it, and they wanted another viewpoint.

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Goofs

Becky Fisher swings a stuffed Lion and says "You've got a Tiger by the tail".

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Quotes

Becky Fischer: No microphone problems, in the name of Jesus.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Flags of Our Fathers/Keeping Mum/Shortbus/Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning/Jesus Camp (2006)

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Soundtracks

Breathe Prophesy
Music and lyrics by Todd Ganovski

User Reviews

Child Abuse

This film made my hair stand on end and I came away from it thinking that the adults in it ought to be indicted for child abuse. These children are being intellectually immobilized in the name of goodness and purity. Do they really think they are superior to other young religious zealots who study nothing but their holy book but who are not Christians? It seems that children ought to be exposed to all the wonders of the world instead of being told that their job is to point out the errors of others. Children are highly impressionable and mostly believe what adults tell them. We can only hope that some of these children get some exposure to reality later which will help them live productive and caring lives as people who can accept the world's diversity. The prospects are not good.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 December 2006 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Jesus Camp

Filming Locations:

Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$17,659, 17 September 2006

Gross USA:

$902,544

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,013,596

Company Credits

Production Co:

A&E IndieFilms, Loki Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min 58 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1