This 2005 documentary directed by Greg Whiteley is perhaps the most accurate depiction of Mormonism that I have ever seen. This documentary follows a single subject, Arthur Kane, who was the former bass guitarist for the band New York Dolls, as he reunites with his band for a music festival. This character also happened to be a Mormon who worked in the Family History Center at the Los Angeles Temple. This is a combination that has never before been documented, a devout Mormon who also happens to be a talented rock star. These are two worlds that have been set up to clash. They are in opposition with each other in almost every aspect, and yet, Arthur Kane has found a way to navigate these worlds together. Although it would seem that he is no longer fully a member of the rock world, he still is knowledgeable and a well-known figure in the rock world. Additionally, Kane's primary forms of describing aspects of the church are based in the rock world. He describes feeling the spirit as an LSD trip from the Lord, and tithing as an agent's fee. This man has managed to bridge the gap between these two most opposite of worlds.
This documentary was a hallmark of empathy and understanding, mostly demonstrated through the diverse talking head interviews that were shown. There was a true sense of democracy here, as everyone who had something to say about Arthur, his career, or his religion got to speak their mind, even when they were saying negative things about the Mormons. The Mormon director definitely did not have to include these negative statements in the final documentary. They could have pretended that everyone said positive things about Arthur's religion. Instead, they chose to allow everyone to have a voice. The diverse spectrum of voices that are present here allow for a nice spectrum of views to be demonstrated. We have the rock stars and the rock fans that are not the most positive about Mormonism, as well as the older ladies and the Mormon bishops who are not the most positive about the world of rock and roll. Right in the middle, we have the views of Arthur Kane, who never speaks ill of either world.
This democratization of voices allows for us to have a fair view of both subjects, rock and roll and Mormonism. Instead of the quasi-propagandized version of Mormonism that are present in some Mormon media, this documentary allows for a discussion that is open to both sides. This democratization of voice accomplishes important things for both the Mormon and non-Mormon audiences of this film.
For Mormons, this film allows us to understand in concrete terms that there is not one right type of Mormon. Too often, especially in areas of high LDS concentration, we have limited ourselves to a perception of cultural homogeneity that is steeped in competition and a "keeping up with the Jones's" times one thousand mentality. This statement, of course, does not detract from so many genuine displays of religiosity and spirituality that abound in this church. This church does so much good in so many thousands of ways. It just happens that a potential area of improvement is the welcoming of more people who are so vastly different from ourselves. This depiction of Arthur Kane, who has done drugs, and has lived the standard rock star lifestyle, is one that we do not often see represented in the Mormon church. This documentary functions as a way of announcing that all types of people are welcome in the Mormon church. So often, the true diversity of the international LDS church is ignored in favor of perceptions that the Mormon church is just one thing. The I'm a Mormon campaign functioned in a similar way, to prove to the world that anyone, no matter what their background, can belong in the Mormon church.
For non-Mormons, this documentary accomplishes a similar, and equally important goal. The subject of Arthur Kane is accessible to the average person. He is a rock star who is seen as interesting and worth listening to anyways. The fact that he is Mormon is irrelevant to how interesting he is to the average viewer. This documentary, filled with Arthur's links from rock star to Mormonism make our religion accessible to the average person. This documentary demystifies Mormonism by discussing it in such a unique way.
I really enjoy this response. I feel as if it is an open letter encouraging us to find the things in our lives we feel are oxymoronic--being a Mormon convert and a rock star, for example--examining them more closely, and realizing they are in fact the things that seamlessly align in Arthur Kane's life?
ReplyDeleteHow often does it occur that we struggle to reconcile parts of our lives that seemingly fight against each other, never realizing we may not need to reconcile them at all? Are they at odds, or do they actually complement and strengthen each other? We must also look outside ourselves, reaching out to recognize and embrace these unexpected harmonies in the people that surround us.