{"id":37560,"date":"2024-06-27T10:30:11","date_gmt":"2024-06-27T14:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/?p=37560"},"modified":"2024-06-27T16:43:32","modified_gmt":"2024-06-27T20:43:32","slug":"angel-studios-eyes-culture-wars-challenge-to-hollywood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/2024\/06\/angel-studios-eyes-culture-wars-challenge-to-hollywood.html","title":{"rendered":"Angel Studios Eyes ‘Culture Wars’ Challenge to Hollywood"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Hollywood\u2019s claimed \u201cwokeness\u201d is a regular target for right-wing politicians and commentators. However, for a tiny Utah-based movie studio behind last year\u2019s significant hit film \u201cSound of Freedom,” it\u2019s a lucrative gap in the market. Angel Studios co-founder Jordan Harmon said, \u201cHollywood is just this bubble. They\u2019re not connected with the average person.\u201d He told AFP, \u201cWe make movies for the other 90 percent.\u201d Co-founded by four brothers, Angel Studios rocked Hollywood last year with its wildly successful thriller about a vigilante who takes down a child sex trafficking ring.<\/p>\n

Debuting days after the fifth \u201cIndiana Jones\u201d film, \u201cSound of Freedom\u201d left Disney\u2019s pricey franchise in the dust, going on to gross $250 million worldwide. Featuring overt religious messages and with a plot that some likened to QAnon conspiracy theories, the film found itself at the heart of the United States\u2019 \u201cculture wars.\u201d However, according to Harmon, it is a failure to cater to both sides of those stark ideological fractures that have left Hollywood box office hauls in recent decline.<\/p>\n

In return for monthly fees, a membership base known as the \u201cAngel Guild\u201d gets to vote via a mobile app on which movies or shows the studio should buy, make and release. Harmon said, \u201cIt\u2019s just entrepreneurship 101. Listen to what your customer wants, and do it. Pay it forward.\u201d Angel Studios began life as VidAngel, a service that enabled parents to watch popular films and shows with the \u201cbosoms, blood and bad words\u201d removed. A first entanglement with Hollywood ensued over copyright infringement. The brothers rebranded and shifted to making original titles. Today, many Angel films and shows feature heavily Christian themes or stories, and the company\u2019s manifesto promises content that \u201camplifies light.\u201d<\/p>\n