Believer (2017)

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

It's an amazing and heartbreaking story.

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Does the world forget what the Bible and Quran actually say? Maybe you should all read it again and this time instead of twisting the words to what you want them to say how about take them at face value. Help your kids understand what wrong with their feelings etc.. instead of incuraging them to do something that is so easily and openly explained to be wrong in the Bible and the Quran.

Watched this last night, and it has left me reflecting on how different the world would be if it were full of people like Dan, Asa and their friends, and the families whose stories they are also telling here.It was far more than I expected, it showed a level of heart and care that I wasn't expecting and certainly created 'the feels' more times than I guessed it was going to.Its a powerful tale indeed, and the work that Dan and his friends put in here should be applauded widely. It shows what is wrong with a society that is run by old white men whose views remain firmly placed in the 18th century, but it ultimately shows more profoundly what you can do to overcome ignorance and stupidity. The Mormons are probably must like others who are firmly intrenched in their religious views, but if history shows us anything is it that even the seemingly immovable objects do with time move, and hopefully this will be the case here.It must surely take only more teen suicides, and more family separations for those who hold control to finally realise that something needs to change, and that their God perhaps puts the value of family, and the value of every person above the once or twice referenced views on sexuality.This is a must see for any LGBTQ people, but bring your tissues. I am hopeful that it will also be seen by the families, and communities of those affected all over the world by hate, but intolerance and by simple ignorance.Powerful stuff.

I caught this at Sundance and was initially moved by the sentiments of the film, Dan's openness, and the idea that he could be such a voice for change in an isolated community. However, I then heard the filmmakers speak and even got a chance to talk to one of them myself and learned that this wasn't the movie they set out to make and felt like I was witnessing a fraud.They intended to make a movie about Dan's depression and fame but ended up guiding the picture to become what I assume they believed would be a film that would sell and gain awards.I gave this 3 stars because I honestly believe in the message of the movie, but to later learn that it was funded by LiveNation I can only assume it was intended to help promote their band and make a mormon follower seem more likable to the mainstream.After watching the film, I learned that Dan was now appearing in anti-smoking ads too. I think he is just attempting to retain popularity through social righteousness and anyone and everyone is piggy packing along for the ride. He seems like a good person and I wish him the best, but this film makes me feel cheated.Love one another, and realize what you're watching when you see this picture.

What a beautiful piece! I caught this at Sundance and it absolutely was my favorite film of the weekend. It was incredibly courageous and such a necessary catalyst for change. Hopefully the Mormon leaders will see this film and feel a need to listen to the voices of the gay youth sitting in their very pews. I believe that this film will save lives. Our gay youth need to see this film and feel the much needed love and acceptance they deserve. My eyes were glued to the screen the entire time and my heart was broken but also given hope for a future of equality and acceptance. I have no idea how someone could watch this film and walk away with a negative view of it unless they were just searching for a reason to spew hate. I enjoyed listening to Reynolds interview on NPR recently and got further insight in to the reasoning behind the creation of this documentary and could feel his sense of passion and determination. We need more straight allies to shed light on our gay youth and the unfortunate situations they are often born in to due to religion and family situations.I'm looking forward to the film coming out on HBO to share it with my family and friends. Hopefully it will open up some of their conservative eyes and help them to see the sad truth of religious guilt upon our children.What a beautiful film!