More Fear Than Reality

by Nic Arnzen
(California, USA)

Thank you for a fair and balanced assessment of the film (the 1997 documentary) in question. The origin of the email in question was likely based more on fear that the movie would be made than reality. I am the director of a documentary film which has just completed post production and is about to begin the festival circuit. The film is Corpus Christi: Playing With Redemption and it is indeed based on a particular touring production of the play Corpus Christi by Terrence McNally. The documentary explores issues of where gay men and women belong or do not belong spiritually and why they would want to return to religions that look down on them. I just wanted to clear up the time line regarding these email circulations. The play opened in 1998, a film version of the play was discussed as early as 1999, this particular production resurrected the play so to speak in 2006 and the film began production shortly thereafter. While I would certainly not hesitate to make a film version of the play it is the about-to-be-released documentary that has likely stirred the fire again on this email.