Ethical Films - Approach.

How to achieve this?

Below is a letter

April 23rd. 2003

John Hiemstra
Chief executive
New York Council of Churches
475 Riverside,
NY 10115

Dear Dr Hiemstra

We spoke this afternoon. The following tells you all about my plans to make and distribute this feature film on child slavery. I don’t want your money. I want your help. I also think women will respond eagerly to this film which deals with the exploitation of young girls. The film begins with the kidnapping of two girls into child prostitution. 80% of the cast in this film are women. Black women. I need your help because Hollywood will never make a film in which Christians are heroines or heroes. The film is intended to reach young people, agnostics and believers who watch television and don’t go to church. The film is called: - The Lateness of God. The movie will be an action-packed thriller based on the work of Christian aid workers and will feature well-known stars in the leading roles.

Churches produce good documentaries but are completely inexperienced at producing excellent feature length drama. This communication problem must be addressed. 

It is my hope to distribute my film uniquely and directly to churches without any television or theatrical release. I hope that churches will be able to benefit from this in the following ways:

A World premiere and other unique screenings should attract new and young people to your church

  1.  The sale of copies of the movie will not only generate an income for your church but will also spread the Christian word in an entertaining and up-to-the-minute way.
  2. There are no Christian or ethical heroes in the cinema or the video shops. My simple vision is to bring to church goers and young people who do not attend church a new concept in film viewing. The church becomes the video shop.

All movies are financed around the pre sale principle.  For $180, your church will receive the exclusive right to show and sell copies of the movie together with 12 packaged VHS or DVD copies of the movie itself. You will also have the right to order any amount of extra copies at cost price.

This pre-sale agreement is a promise only; you will not pay for the goods until they have been delivered. Your promise, however, is of extreme importance to our bank who will, I hope, agree to fund the movie on the basis of this pre-sale agreement.

Attached is a pre-sales agreement form which you should fill in and return to me by June 15. I hope that I can count on your support

Best wishes,

Karl Francis
Bloom Street Productions



We  …………………….. Church, agrees to purchase …10…. VHS/DVD copies of the feature film Lateness of God currently in development. The purchase would take place on delivery.

The Total agreed pre purchase price is $160(US) dollars OR £100

The agreement is between …………………….. Church and Bloom Street Productions (Lateness of God account) dated                  2004

Or the proposed agreement for an individual

I …………………….. Church, agrees to purchase …1…. VHS/DVD copie(s) of the feature film Lateness of God currently in development. The purchase would take place on delivery. The Total agreed pre purchase price is $16(US) dollars or £10.

The agreement is between ……………………..  And Bloom Street Productions (Lateness of God account) dated                  2004

The hope is that good Christians will see the good sense of this plan and will buy them.