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Autumn 2005 | Volume 15 | Number 2 Religion Inside this issue de Souza Freaked Out • Medved Tinsel- town’s Tin Ear • Langeland Investing in the Industry of Influence • In the Liberal Tradi- Liberty tion Ronald Reagan • Sirico The Market, the & Movies, and the Media The Moral of the Story: An Interview with Ralph Winter Producer Ralph Winter’s filmography reads like a laundry list of blockbusters: Fantastic Four, Star Trek III, IV, V, and VI, X-Men, X-Men 2, and Planet of the Apes are just a few of the films for which Winter claims the producer's credit. He recently spoke to R&L about shifting market forces in the entertainment industry, consumer choice, and the unique and powerful role of storytelling in promoting virtue in society. He spoke from Van- couver where he is currently shooting X-Men 3. Continued on pg 3 Photo: Courtesy of Ralph Winter A Journal of Religion, Economics, and Culture Editor’s Note dios have an enormous influence on our feature in Religion & Liberty. Called “the culture, independent of their balance Double-Edged Sword,” it looks at a par- sheets. ticular Scripture passage and how it might apply to a particular question of Ralph Winter, a successful producer of interest to our readers. The challenge is several blockbuster films, speaks about to allow the Word of God—described in that influence in our feature interview. Hebrews as sharper than a two-edged His experience, reflected through his re- sword—to cut to the heart of the matter ligious faith, offers a perspective on Hol- rather than being blunted by our pur- lywood that we rarely hear. poses. It’s a worthy challenge, and I Cort Langeland explains that the cultur- think this issue gets it just right. al influence of films lies in their story- The Acton Institute is, at heart, a cultur- And I might say an immodest word telling power. Whoever tells the stories al enterprise. We are not concerned so about our lead article. I thought perhaps shapes the culture. But storytelling is not much with politics or economics or soci- you might appreciate something from a matter of only a fireplace and a cup of ology or philosophy as we are with the R&L’s new editor—something of an in- cocoa; it is demanding business that re- whole package—the effect they have on troduction to what interests me. My quires as much entrepreneurial excel- our culture. Our concern is with the essay addresses the past summer's best- lence as any other business venture. health of society as a whole—the free selling economics book—Freakonomics. It and virtuous society. Other articles in this issue look at our doesn’t address much of what we do entertainment culture from different In this autumn issue of Religion & Liberty, specifically at Acton, but I found it ani- perspectives. Father Sirico comments on that concern is made very clear as we mated by a sympathetic spirit, fascinated protecting our children, and the liberal examine a tremendous influence on our by human liberty and the consequences tradition focuses on the most famous culture—the entertainment industry. In of the choices we make. Hollywood actor of all: Ronald Reagan. Hollywood, they speak about movie- making as “the Industry,” but movie stu- I would draw your attention to a new Editorial Board Contents Publisher: Rev. Robert A. Sirico The Moral of the Story: Ralph Winter..................................3 Editor: Rev. Raymond J. de Souza Freaked Out: by Rev. Raymond J. de Souza...........................4 Managing Editor: David Michael Phelps Tinseltown’s Tin Ear: by Michael Medved.............................6 Contributing Editors: Acton FAQ ...............................................................................7 Pierre Garello • Université d’Aix-Marseille III The Twin Vocations of Art and Work by D. M. Phelps.......8 Bishop Bernard Njoroge • Episcopal Church of Africa Double-Edged Sword ...........................................................9 Rev. John Arthur Nunes • St. Paul Lutheran Church Investing in the Industry of Influence: by Cort Langeland....................................................................10 The Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty promotes a free so- ciety characterized by individual liberty and sustained by religious principles. In the Liberal Tradition: Ronald Reagan...........................14 Letters and subscription requests should be directed to: Religion & Liberty; Column: Rev. Robert A. Sirico................................................15 Acton Institute; 161 Ottawa Ave., NW, Suite 301; Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Reviews 16 The views of the authors expressed in Religion & Liberty are not necessarily .......................................................................... those of the Acton Institute. © 2005 Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty. 2 Religion&Liberty The Moral of the Story An Interview with Ralph Winter Photo: Courtesy of Ralph Winter How do you maintain your faith in a high- somebody? Well, when some guys like plays a lot younger. The movie was em- demand job environment of money, power, and that say things like that, we all get lumped braced by the comic book geek world as stress? into one category. But I think that happens well as young families and kids. Yes, I think in manufacturing, in business, in retail, the studios are well aware that market— I've got a support system in place that and in banking. It’s easy to get lumped in that six, eight, nine hundred million dollar helps make that all work. Primarily, a wife with the whackos that are out there. And who understands as well as challenges me. I think I haven’t really encountered a hos- I've been married for thirty-one years. tile environment because I’m a Christian. Our lives are centered around our faith in It’s known at the studio what I stand for terms of what we're about, where we’re “I think the studios are and who I am. But being a Christian cer- going, and why we do things. That re- tainly isn’t something to lead with. [Suc- well aware that mar- mains at the center. And this is a fun job. I cessful filmmakers must] be the hip, like it. I think I’m making a contribution ket—that six, eight, avant-garde thing that’s going to get by what I do. But it’s a little more difficult nine hundred million movies made and be at the cutting edge of when I’m out of town because I don’t have culture. [Christianity] is not what Holly- dollar business that the normal support system around: our wood sees as all that. Although, lately with small group bible study or the two guys went to The Passion— the success of The Passion, people are very that I’d be with on a regular basis when interested in a faith market because there’s didn’t go to them.” I'm in [Los Angeles]. So I talk to them on money in it. There’s an untapped market, the Internet [and on the] phone remotely an underserved market, as they say. up here in Vancouver. But generally I think it’s about having a support system, Much has been written about this, about the business that went to The Passion—didn’t and trying to be somewhat regular in wor- profitability and growing market share of val- go to them. And they’d love to tap into ship on Sundays when I’m on location, ues-driven films. How is Hollywood responding that. They’d love to find a sequel to The which is a little difficult. But you’ve got to to these market pressures? Passion. keep reminding and remembering and re- Oh, I think they’re responding. I think the orienting to true North. You know, Oftentimes in religious circles, the entertainment congressional stuff about studios marketing “Where am I headed?” industry is characterized as a sort of “cultural R-rated movies to kids under thirteen has polluter.” How accurate is this characterization? Is Hollywood hostile to people of faith? definitely produced more PG-13 movies and PG movies. And I think the success of I think it’s interesting. I think the guys at I think you need to distinguish some movies like National Treasure made studios the studios—the major studios—do think things. I think Hollywood is made up of a realize there is a big market out there for about the stuff they’re making and the im- lot of people who are good people and kids. Jerry Bruckheimer made that movie pact it has on culture. But it necessarily family oriented, [who] want to do good and it was PG—but still provided action, falls to a small group of people who can sit things that aren’t anti-faith. I think there adventure, and fun, and was very success- at thirty thousand feet and look at the are certainly people who want to wear ful. You’ve got to pay attention to that. Fan- landscape and say, “Do we really want to their faith on their sleeve. What did Pat tastic Four, which we just finished, I think tell stories that have that message?” Now Robertson say about trying to assassinate continued on pg 12 SummerAutumn 2005 | Volume 15 | Number 21 3 Freaked Out: Liberty, Choice, and Rogue Economics by Rev. Raymond J. de Souza It is a rare thing for an economist to write one doubts the value of the math, but a bestselling book, but Steven Levitt is a what separates economics from, say, engi- “For those interested in rather rare economist. Winner of the Clark neering, is that the subject of study is the Medal for the best American economist human person. Lose the human element the nature of economics under forty, Levitt does not practice eco- and you have lost the best in the tradition as a discipline, Freako- nomics as most of his colleagues at the of economic thinking.

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