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Posted 15 Oct 2001   For week ended October 05, 2001
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Sent on Mormon-News: 12Oct01

By Kent Larsen

Excel to Distribute Film About Elder Groberg

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- Filmmaker Mitch Davis has announced that his forthcoming film on the missionary experiences of Elder John H. Groberg, now a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will be distributed by Excel Theatrical Distribution. The announcement also indicated that the much-anticipated film could be in theaters for Christmas. Excel is the same company that distributed the breakthrough film "God's Army."

Titled "The Other Side of Heaven," Davis' movie is based on Elder Groberg's 1994 book "In the Eye of the Storm," which tells the story of his LDS mission in Tonga during the 1950s. Elder Groberg told a press conference on the movie last week that he was surprised that someone would want to make a movie of his life, "It was a shock to have someone who was interested to do a movie. It was also a little bit intimidating. As a family, we tend to be quiet and not make a big splash," Groberg said. "But I felt confidence in these people [the filmmakers]. They have been true and maintained the spirit [of the book]."

Like Richard Dutcher's movie"God's Army," "The Other Side of Heaven" will also test the market for LDS-themed films. Its the first movie since "God's Army" made by a different director, and its success could show that "God's Army's success can be duplicated and could demonstrate an audience for LDS-themed films is developing.

But Davis' film is only one of several LDS-themed films being prepared. High-profile film projects include "The Single's Ward," which is reportedly in post-prodution and scheduled for a January release, "Charly," an adaptation of Jack Weyland's novel planned for March 2002, and Richard Dutcher's "The Prophet," planned for Spring 2003. In addition, several other films have been announced for the next few years.

Sources:

Mission Improbable Now a Movie
Salt Lake Tribune 4Oct01 A2
By Vince Horiuchi: Salt Lake Tribune

Film depicting Elder Groberg's mission to Tonga to open in December
BYU NewsNet 3Oct01 A2
By Caroline Jensen: NewsNet Staff Writer

'Other Side' tells of LDS mission to Tonga
Deseret News 5Oct01 A2
By Jeff Vice: Deseret News movie critic
Church leader's story comes to life on big screen

See also:
In the Eye of the Storm
More about "In the Eye of the Storm" by Elder John H. Groberg at Amazon.com

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