Wow! I feel honored to have watched Seth Worley's rise in his career all the way to a theatrical release, and that he has retained his sense of humor and his love of childlike innocent wonder throughout his more than decade-long ascent.
This film is a new vibe for faith-based film. It delights the senses, and I find that I must dare to compare it to another Christian filmmaker's work... Terrence Malick, even while making you shake your head in disbelief. That said, I can't entirely categorize either of them as faith-based film, and neither of them would choose to be categorized this way, anyway.
Excuse my presumption to be allowed to categorize these unusual films, but nevertheless, I will.
In my assessment Malick makes films that I'd call "wisdom art house." I borrow that from the term wisdom literature, regarding theis section of the Bible that speaks to us this way, while doing so through an "art house" form of expression. But Sketch, a similarly beautiful film made with real craft, also defies categorization, being made by a Christian, yet their film goes out of the bounds of the genre. I call what Worley is doing here (as I have seen from a few others in the Christian film community do) is making (a not altogether new genre) "quirky Christian cinema."
Both are saturated with delightful color, with detailed and heightened imaginary realities, and are populated with real characters that become thrust into some unreal parallel, parable, or unwelcome trial the likes of which many have not survived here in our world. It is unreal with very real lessons, but it is told with a very quirky and sometimes darkly comedic sensibility. Like a Bible story told to a child living presently in today's world... and filled out with vibrant fresh paint, beautiful sentiments, and hugs to send you on your way.
I do not know why, but after seeing Terrence Malick's work– particularly The Tree of Life, but also To The Wonder that Seth Worley's work made me think of that old master, Malick. But it's true. Seth Worley also has earned his own subgenre, for the simple reason that many know him as a believer in Christ, yet he does not speak of it overtly in his work. And he means to speak to the world with lessons, but not to preach to you a stilted sermon.
It ought be recognized as Christian in heart, but not in it's wrappings.
So, I call it "quirky Christian." It would be a subgenre to indie Christian film. But this indie quality to Seth Worley's work will likely not be long-lived. I foresee that after this Angel-distributed work (coming to theaters on August 6th) that Worley may end up making more theatrically distributed work, and getting larger budgets. He has well earned it.
Check out this trailer, released by Angel at Cinemacon two days ago. Yes that is Tony Hale, THE Tony Hale of Arrested Development who would have Bible studies for his Hollywood friends. He just looks incredible in this.
Does this mean that this will be esoteric and vague like The Tree of Life? No. I haven't seen the film, but from what I have seen of the promotional work, and I've seen a lot of it (Seth Worley has been working on this film for 5 years, and promoted his other, often very commercial, work for years before that), it is far more like a contemplative and touching commercial than arthouse cinema. Please do not think that I am describing this as a bad thing. Many artists shun commercial things, but funny enough, a commercial can actually be quite affecting.
In this case he is using horror in an ironic, fun way, which isn't an essential part of quirky Christian, but we are now just defining it, aren't we?
But no, what this is is glossy and bombastic, yet authentic and real. Worley is one of the few Christian filmmakers I'd put on the level of Malick as it comes to beauty and sentimentality... not necessarily in terms of craft or tone or depth. And while his images are saturated and wet with color, his themes are right under the surface. Not as esoteric as Malick (as who else can be, after all?) we still seek for truth within the pages of some sort of parable, which in this case reveals itself more readily and relatably.
The humor is the difference. And Malick feels more cynical... or is it skeptical of the kinds of results that his heroes uncover in their stories. Malick feels more like Job, while Worley feels like Jonah (who doesn't get whatever he wants) or the Gospel of John (where he defeats Peter in his sprint, and describes himself as loved in almost witty and sappy fashion). There are things to reveal and uncover, but ironies and imperfections adorn a kind of satirical framing.
His comedy is not new, nor are his commercial visuals, as you may see here, where he promotes a Red Giant editing plug-in.
And this is all before I've even seen the film. That's how affecting his work is. More about his previous work after this.
Here is Seth Worley and his star, Tony Hale, at the Toronto International Film Festival, where seemingly, this film was purchased by Angel Studios, about six months ago, and recently announced its theatrical rollout at CinemaCon only days ago.
Worley is certainly a storytelling genius in some regards, and this is not unknown as he literally sells a story-telling notebook to help get your ideas out on paper, and do so in symmetrical, orderly fashion, which is not always easy. He taught classes on this for years, both online and in person, and his product was called the "Storyclock Workbook."
Here he is teaching a class on storytelling, starring Joseph Campbell, a cat, and circular story circles! Now you are all born writers! And less terrible at it!
But more than these humorous, commercial works, I love his short films, and he has MANY. On IMDb it lists 12-13 shorts, or short forms works and videos, such as The Time Closet & Form 17. Luckily most of these can be found online for free, so we will place them below. Some of them are very dark and yet clever, such as Real Gone, which is about a man who seeks to delete himself. Others are pure comedy genius, such as Old/New, or family-friendly and cute, such as his short film Darker Colors, which serves as the primary inspiration for Sketch.
A serious matter, absolutely. But somehow he manages to make it darkly comedic and charming anyway. His charming tone continues here with Old/New, along with the darkly comedic situations and the often rhythmic editing.
Darker Colors, down below, is clearly inspired by Stranger Things, but in some ways it's even more charming. The device of using a sketch-book which creates the very monsters that you fear, sets it apart from Stranger Things, and therefore it paves a path for him to do something original... and boy did he.
Sketch may end up to be the best Angel film of the year, and we hope that more film like it... quirky Christian films, will continue to be made, even if the darkly comedic themes make somem Christians uncomfortable. They ought to eat their vegetables, and learn from these themes eagerly, as those who must work to demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit.
Fear not. Make Art.
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Did you enjoy this article about an upcoming quirky Christian art film called Sketch? Did you know about Seth Worley before reading this article? Do you like his work? Let us know down below (with sub) or comment on our social media!
