Canadian Film on Same-Sex Marriage Causes Deeper Thinking on Issue
“C-38, the search for marriage” unlike any other media treatment of subject
By Steve Jalsevac
EDMONTON, Alberta, - When Bill C-38, Canada’s law that extended marriage to same-sex couples, was passed June 28 last year, pro-marriage leaders were dismayed the public hearings process was cut very short and its report never presented. Even before the bill was passed though, a young Alberta film maker and his brother were already producing a unique video that would fairly present the views of numerous ordinary citizens and experts on both sides of the marriage issue.
“C-38, the search for marriage”, is now an astonishing, 77 minute professional exploration of 19 key aspects of the marriage and same-sex issues. It tackles what it calls “the most controversial issues of our century” head on in such a manner that objective viewers can’t help but be led to a deeper understanding of them. Although the title refers to a Canadian bill the discussion in the film would be just as helpful to viewers in other nations.
While Bill C-38 was under debate, Eric Spoeth, an independent film producer decided there was a need for a thorough and fair media investigation of what was involved and at stake in this attempt to redefine such a basic social institution. In an interview with LifeSiteNews.com Eric states the issue “was being clouded in the public mind” and “it seemed there was a very strong push to sway the public in one direction”. He felt that “a lot of voices seemed to be unheard on the issue”.
Spoeth also knew some acquaintances with same-sex attraction that were in normal marriage situations with children. He felt they too should be given an opportunity to explain their choice to live that lifestyle of fidelity to their spouse and children.
With his brother Jerome as interviewer, Eric started filming the responses of ordinary Canadians on the street to pointed, thought-provoking questions. Some of these interviews provide the most fascinating and even humorous parts of the film.
A few of the subjects uncomfortably struggle with the unexpected sequence of questions and subsequent obvious inconsistencies or poorly thought out implications of their views. For example, one man floundered and became speechless when he realized that he supports “equal marriage rights” but opposes marriage between multiple partners or close relatives.
The unbudgeted film gradually developed into a much larger project involving input from reputed experts in law, politics, ethics, sexuality and religion on both sides of the same-sex ‘marriage’ issue. These bigger names were filmed while they happened to be in Alberta for conferences or other events or they were easily accessible local citizens. News and other archival footage was added to highlight the history leading to the change in law.
The first cut of the film, undertaken entirely at the director’s own expense, was too long as the brothers tried to cover every aspect that cropped up in their research. Eric says they “didn’t expect the journey to lead to so much”.
Eventually Spoeth pared the movie back to a 77-minute DVD video divided into 19 chapters. This allows viewers to explore the video as time permits and start off from where they last left off or go straight to sections of interest.
The treatment is so balanced that for the first 20 minutes viewers are likely to question just what side this production is on. Actually, Spoeth told LifeSiteNews, he did not want it to be seen as “preaching” or favoring one side or another. He says “we went out of our way to find the strongest voices on both sides of he issue”.
As for the possibility of bias in the film Spoeth states he did not favour one side over the other in the editing. “We simply allow claims to be made.” He states, “you do edit for timing reasons but nobody can say that we ever silenced an opinion”.
The several persons in the street interviews are surprisingly cooperative and in some cases well informed. The very personal interviews with two heterosexually married homosexuals (whose identities are hidden) and one heterosexually married lesbian provide an alternative view to that of gay activists. The eleven “experts” are all exceptional in their calm, carefully thought out responses to the questions. The clarity of thinking by some of them, so uncommon today, could elicit gasps of appreciation.
It is fascinating to follow the response to each question from the man or woman on the street, to the homosexual, to the gay expert, and to the pro-marriage expert and then back to one or more of the others. Contradictions, bias or mere opinion in the debate become obvious through this process.
C-38 has weak spots, such as the awkward setups of interviewer Jerome listening to responses or of him walking around considering the issue. It is a long documentary for today’s short attention span culture. Some viewers will be unimpressed that the director did not take a position one way or other in the film. C-38 avoids the sordid aspects of homosexual sex and gay exhibitionism as well as the many deadly health issues.
The Spoeth brothers do not view “C-38” as providing all the answers. They only hope it will encourage a deeper and more honest exploration of the issues involved. This reviewer believes they have more than succeeded in that goal.
After considering all the evidence presented in “C-38” it would also seem that an eventual, honest response would be that same-sex “marriage” is not a good idea for society, for children or for anyone. As well, the deeper level of reflection provoked by “C-38” should lead objective viewers to discomfort, not only with same-sex ‘marriage’, but also with many other current social trends, the implications of which most have not thought about.
“C-38” is unlikely to have any influence on those with fixed, ideological agendas or those who are emotionally incapable of calm, respectful discussion and reflection. A large portion of the public, however, is far more open and would certainly benefit from seeing the film.
In the final analysis this film by a talented 25-year old film producer and his 27-year old brother is highly recommended. In fact, I would suggest it is a must for anyone - for politicians, religious leaders, teachers and other in positions of influence and anyone else who wants to better understand this crucial social issue. It is also an ideal classroom resource.
C-38 may be ordered from J& E Productions by going to the movie website at http://www.c38themovie.com/ and double clicking on "See the movie" at the bottom.
To view an excellent trailer and section from the film double click on "Trailer" on the bottom left.
For additional enquries send an email to info@c38themovie.com
“Experts” Interviewed in C-38:
- Rev. Charles Bidwell, professor of marriage and sexuality
- Murray Billet, director of Gay and Lesbian Awareness (GALA)
- Bishop Thomas Collins, Edmonton
- Fr. John Gallagher, author/historian
- Bishop Fred Henry, Calgary
- Julie Lloyd, human rights lawyer
- David Kilgour, former Liberal MP
- Dr. Ted Morton, MLA, co-author of Divorcing Marriage
- Councillor Michael Phair, co-founder of the AIDS Network of Edmonton
- Dr. Janet Smith, author of Humanae Vitae - a generation later
- Dr. Margaret Somerville, ethicist
Chapter Titles, in order of appearance:
- Arguments for same-sex marriage
- What’s love got to do with it
- The History of marriage
- Can marriage evolve?
- What role do children have in Marriage?
- Does marriage have to be permanent?
- Do children need two parents?
- What role does gender have?
- Do children need their biological parents
- The lead up to C-38
- Universal equality
- Do rights have limits
- Effects of C-38 on freedom
- Effects of C-38 on speech
- Effects of C-38 on discrimination
- Effects of C-38 on gays and lesbians
- Responses to arguments for same-sex marriage
- What now?
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