source: Faith Like Potatoes

source: Faith Like Potatoes

I have to say I disagree with others who called this a "Christian film". It is a biographical film about a man who happens to be a Christian man of deep faith. I am not a Christian, and never felt that I was being recruited while I watched the movie. I didn't have the urge to run to church when it was over. Instead, I was so interested in learning more about this amazing man and the makers of the movie that I watched every minute of the extras. I enjoyed the documentary as much as the movie itself and admired Buchan even more, as he NEVER said he raised people from the dead or cured anyone. He gave all the credit to God. In fact, he seemed more amazed at the events of his life than I was. It was well-acted, I really felt for the actors when they cried. The cinematography was excellent-- I only wish they had shown more of that beautiful country. It is rare that I watch a movie twice, but I would gladly see this one again. And I'm buying the book tomorrow.

I'm sure those of you who have been fortunate enough to watch this film have found it very touching and at times painfully honest. Faith Like Potatoes centers around the building of faith as something tangible and real - like a potato. There is no hiding the fact that this is a film with very strong Christian content so be prepared to be exposed to the truth of Jesus! The film may not be outstanding from the acting and screenplay side, but it more than makes up for this with its emotion and intensity. I found myself empathizing throughout as I have had first-hand experience of African farm life and the lifestyle and people in South Africa. I think it will be hard for someone who does not understand these facets of Africa to grasp the imagery and emotional tools used in the film; nevertheless I think that this film will provide every person with their very own experience that will keep them thinking about it long after the credits have stopped rolling. If at all possible try to get hold of Angus Buchan's book by the same name. It is a must read! If anything, the book and/or the film will change the way you see your spiritual life and open your eyes to a new way of thinking that is not only exciting, but fulfilling. A great movie!!

I'll rather not comment on the plot or motivations of the film. Suffice it to say that the film is aimed at religious (specifically Christian) denominations. Nothing wrong with that, it should be encouraged, rather than avoided. The first thing that caught my eye was the use of digital filming. African landscapes and lighting is particularly suited for real film emulsions and to see it spoiled by cheap digital footage was a real disappointment. The colour was dull and the digital artefacts are very obvious. I don't want to dwell on the poor film quality so I'll move on. The acting was particularly cringe worthy. Every time Casper Badenhorst started to speak I wanted to stick popcorn in my ears hum Sarie Marais. Francois Rautenbach and Matthew Roberts weren't bad and I could actually feel real empathy with their characters. Unfortunately the rest of the cast were hollow cardboard cut-outs. Richard van den Berg was particularly revolting. While the lead character was giving a particularly heart felt confession in his 'Green Cathedral' we had to endure the Mr. van den Berg slobbering on a piece of fruit and going "mm, mm, um, ja" before ripping off a corn cob and scribbling in the sand like some prophet. But the thing that shocked me most of all was the graphic depiction of a child suffering. Several audience members gasped and wept achingly when a small boy was run over by a tractor and started coughing up blood straight into the camera lens. The broken posture of the child was particularly upsetting. A little girl sat in front of me and I dreaded what went through her mind. When my wife started to cry I got very angry and lost the last bit of respect I had for the film. I felt the director had dealt a very low blow by using such a gruesome visual tool to advance his own religious agenda. Unfortunately this film can never appeal to everyone since it excludes all who do not share a particular church's view. It is a great film for showing at church or prayer groups but technically and visually this film is one of the worst I have seen from South Africa. It should have been screened on television on a Sunday evening only.

The very fact that such an obviously Christian movie has made it to the big screen circuit is a miracle in itself. The storyline is simple and, amazingly, believable. This is a move away from most contemporary films, and speaks volumes for the motivation behind the shooting. This film was not designed to be a box office hit, but to carry a message, and this it does very well. I enjoyed the film on a purely personal and emotional level, and am willing to predict that even non-Christian, or purely nominal Christians, will find this a wonderful journey of personal discovery. Whether you agree with the central message or not is immaterial, this is a must see movie for anyone who enjoyed films like "A River Ran Through It", "Dead Poet's Society", "My Girl" or similar. I'm going to stick my head out and predict that this movie will be a big financial success, even in today's secular society.

Having been given tickets to the premier of "Faith" at the mission where it all took place, I went with very little expectation. Although the film is not brilliant, it is certainly not bad. Some of the cinematography and scenic shots were truly beautiful and the story and acting were heartfelt. Frank Rautenbach's performance seemed to be drawn from every reserve he possessed. I felt that Jean Wilhelm (Jill Buchan) was a little weak and overwhelmed by Rautenbach's sheer effort. It almost felt like she was trying to retain a sense of detached dignity. The scenes following Angus's nephew's accidental death were a little too long and drawn out and detracted from the tragedy. However, Hamilton Dlamini was wonderful as Simeon. Also, it was great to hear real Zulu on screen and enjoy its subtle humor. The scene where Angus chased off Isaac and Simeon after discovering the crashed tractor was a real giggle. All in all, a sterling effort that shows a lot of promise.

As a post-modern Christian with a high interest in indie film making, and as one who comes from an evangelical background, I watched this film with a great deal of trepidation; sadly, much of it was justified. It has some pluses: good cinematography and it depicts rural South Africa pretty well - the sweeping vistas of the KZN midlands, the Zambian market places, the small town feel of Greyton and so on. And most Christian viewers will feel right at home with the evangelical content: the altar call, the 'go out and tell somebody what you did' approach to Christian growth, the 'God Told Me To Do This' approach to life. And I guess that seeing as it is based on a book which was written as a testimony to God's provision, one could expect no less. I have a high regard for Regardt van den Bergh generally. But this script was really and truly painful at times - wooden and expository. We never really explored the growth of the characters or the relationship between husband and wife. The children, apart from little Alastair, were non-entities. And in terms of dramatic structure ... well, I was hard pressed to find it. The movie seemed to be a series of disconnected events in this man's life - small crises showcasing God's interventions. I kept waiting for the dramatic climax of the film ... each time the tension came to nothing, except when the kids rushed off to get on the tractor, I immediately knew what was going to happen, it was glaringly obvious. And the scenes following that were far too prolonged ... and how did the protagonist change as a result of that black moment? What did he do to fight back? I didn't see it ... it was just more of the same until finally, the stadium event happened after which Angus got his potatoes ... but what of the rest of KZN? Did the drought cease? Did the fighting cease? Did any one else's life change? I felt like I was left hanging ... The actors did their best, I guess and there were some moments that were moving .. like little Alistair running to his dad. My traditional, conservative, evangelical friends all like this film so I guess it is reaching the audience for which it was intended. But isn't this just preaching to the choir? What about those of us who wrestle with REAL doubts and for whom God does NOT come through? This film sems to promote the very dubious approach to Christianity which says Come to Jesus and All Your Problems Will Be Solved. Life ain't like that in the real world, brothers!

o.k. , basically , if you believe that your young son getting crushed & brutally killed in a tractor accident would be a GOOD thing & that he would be MUCH happier that way . . . then , by all means , run out & rent this piece of **** - one of the very few movies , in my whole life , that i have quit watching in the middle of because it's "message" was so sickening - the "hero" raises a complete stranger from the dead ( RIIIGHT ! ) but then when he accidentally kills his friend's son , the same result just can't be repeated ( WONDER WHY ? ) and then when a local townsperson brings up this seeming inconsistancy , they are disdainfully put down as being "mean" - possibly the most IDIOTIC movie i have ever seen !

The movie was not deserving of a 1 which is what I gave it. But neither was it deserving of all the 10's that it got. I just thought that I would balance it out. Great use of the locations, and at times there is evidence of good cinematography. The storyline is pure schmaltz and can nauseate. The script needs to be reworked a number of times, and the acting is at best wooden. The leading lady should be lead off somewhere else. It was as if she was acting for a mirror. This movie should not be seen unless you will accept any drivel just because it has some religious message attached to it.