Editorial Note: I have trusted Google Meet for six years, but today it betrayed me tremendously. There is some bug it has with file type compatibility where it works online in workspace, but I had to troubleshoot for hours to get that downloaded file to be compatible with Substack. Youtube is of course the giant in this field, and connected with Google, so there was no trouble uploading this conversation there. Mea culpa, I originally sent out a five minute clip to your email, and now it should be the full hour plus conversation. Pray to God, and any patron saint(s) of technology that reflect his glory before Him, that no such hiccups occur in the future. Hunter x Hunter, the well-beloved manga and anime of Togashi Yoshiro, is known by its fans affectionately but annoyedly as Hiatus x Hiatus. I deserve a bit of this chastisement myself, but of course dear readers and watchers you know that I am always in the kitchen cooking something up for you. I can be accused of having too many projects and not too few. Today, The Philosophy of Art and Science (POAAS) returns with episode 153 featuring Wild West Filmmaking’s Josh David Jordan. This episode is a conversation about his film, El Tonto por Cristo. Aksum Review of Books (ARB) is a reader-supported literary review. Free subscribers help it grow by liking, commenting, and sharing with friends, strangers, and enemies. Paid subscribers help keep the lights on for the price of a cup of pour-over coffee a month. Gemini Summary: Title and Cultural Context: The film’s Spanish title, El Tonto por Cristo, reflects the filmmaker’s background in the Tex-Mex culture of Dallas, Texas. The title was chosen to avoid the common, “on-the-nose” branding of “The Fool for Christ” (and help with Search Engine Optimization) and to reflect how Jordan perceives the world. Orthodoxy in Film: Jordan clarifies that while the film does not explicitly mention Orthodoxy, it is deeply influenced by the tapestry of the faith, including the Jesus Prayer (Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on me) and the lives of saints and desert fathers of Egypt. The work aims to portray human imperfection within a monastic setting, rather than serve as a direct representation of the divine liturgy. The Filmmaking Process: The production faced challenges during the 2023 SAG strike, but was able to secure an interim agreement to continue filming with professional actors. The filmmaker emphasizes the necessity of humor to balance drama, noting that life contains a mix of seasons. The project was a collaborative family effort, with the filmmaker’s wife and children playing key roles in production, editing, photography, and social media. Distribution and Audience: The film toured 25 cities, finding significant engagement in smaller, more rural areas rather than just major metropolitan hubs. The filmmaker highlights the role of Substack as an anti-algorithm platform that allows for deeper engagement with the audience. The film is currently available to rent or buy on platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube, and Google Play. A couple of my visits to Dallas, Texas: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aksum.substack.com/subscribe
