Wesley, also titled Wesley: A Heart Transformed Can Change The World, is a 2009 biopic about John Wesley and Charles Wesley, the founders of the Methodist movement. The movie is based largely on the Wesley brothers' own journals, including John's private journal which was kept in a shorthand-like code that was not translated until the 1980s by Richard Heitzenrater at Duke Divinity School.
| Wesley | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Directed by | John Jackman |
| Written by | John Jackman Carolyn Haywood |
| Produced by | Lovinder Gill Geoff Thompson |
| Starring | Burgess Jenkins June Lockhart Kevin McCarthy R. Keith Harris |
| Cinematography | Arledge Armenaki |
| Music by | Bruce Kiesling |
| Distributed by | Vision Video |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 117 minutes |
| Language | English |
The film covers the critical period of John Wesley's life as he struggles with his own doubts and insecurities, leading up to his life-changing Aldersgate experience and the early development of the Methodist movement.
Wesley was filmed in a number of authentic 18th century locations in and around Winston-Salem, North Carolina, including St. Paul's Episcopal Church.[1]
Unusual for a lower-budget independent film, it features an original orchestral score recorded by a full orchestra.[2] The score, composed by Bruce Kiesling, uses snippets of Wesley hymns and portions composed to echo authentic 18th-century style. Kiesling, who has composed scores for a number of other films, is currently conductor of the Tulare County Orchestra in California.[3]
Funded in part by the Christian History Institute and Comenius Foundation, the movie was directed by John Jackman.
Cast
edit- Burgess Jenkins - John Wesley
- R. Keith Harris - Charles Wesley
- June Lockhart - Susanna Wesley
- Kevin McCarthy - Bishop Rider
- Michael Huie - Samuel Wesley
- Rusty Martin - Young John Wesley
- Carrie Anne Hunt - Sophy Hopkey
- Leanne Bernard - Grace Murray
- Lloyd Arneach - Tomochichi
- Hilary Russo - Mary Musgrove
- Bill Oberst Jr. - Peter Boehler
- Erik Nelson - Mr. Delamotte
- Roger Willie - Cusseta
- James France - Wealthy Mine Owner
- Kai Elijah Hamilton - Mob Man (Cameo)
Reception
editJeff Paton from The Arminian magazine called it "Impressive for a religious film;" but criticized the poor effects and overplayed ideas of "a Wesleyan Quadrilateral, which was not a large part of Wesley's emphasis or ministry".[4]
Festivals and awards
editWesley has been featured in numerous international film festivals, including:
- 2010 Bayou City Inspirational Film Festival[5]
- 2010 Phoenix International Christian Film Festival[6]
- 2010 CEVMA Film Festival, Milan, Italy
- 2010 International Christian Film Festival, Port Talbot, Wales
- 2010 Heart of England Film Festival, Worcester, UK
- 2010 Gideon Film Festival[7]
The film won several awards, including:
- 2010 Platinum FEXY Award (motion graphics/CGI special FX) – TechniCine, Foundery Pictures, Wesley[8]
- 2010 Platinum EMPixx Award, CGI/Special Effects – TechniCine, Foundery Pictures[9]
- 2010 Silver Telly Award (Religion & Spirituality)[10]
- 2010 Bronze Telly Award (History & Biography)[11]
- 2010 Bronze Telly Award (Lighting)[11]
- 2010 Bronze Telly Award (CGI/Special Effects)[11]
- 2010 Silver Crown, "Best Drama over $250,000," 2010 International Christian Visual Media Association Crown Awards[12]
- 2010 Bronze Crown for "Best Picture," 2010 International Christian Visual Media Association Crown Awards[12]
- 2010 First Place Feature Film Competition, Bayou City Inspirational Film Festival[5]
References
edit- ^ "Methodist Man - Winston-Salem landmarks came in handy when the Rev. John Jackman was directing his latest film, Wesley. | JournalNow.com". August 20, 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-08-20.
- ^ Decwikiel-Kane, Dawn (June 9, 2009). "Symphony conductor is making movie music". news-record.com. Archived from the original on 2009-07-06. Retrieved 2010-10-07.
- ^ Decwikiel-Kane, Dawn (June 11, 2009). "Symphony conductor leaving for California". gotriad-news-record.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011.
- ^ Paton, Jeff (Fall 2010). "Wesley: A Heart Transformed Can Change the World" (PDF). The Arminian. 28 (2). Fundamental Wesleyan Society: 16. Retrieved 2018-08-23.
- ^ a b "BCIFF Jury Awards" (PDF). Bayou City Inspirational Film Festival. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
- ^ "Official Selections". christianfilmfest.org. Archived from the original on 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-10-07.
- ^ "Gideonfilmfestival.com". www.gideonfilmfestival.com.
- ^ "2010 Fexy Awards" (PDF). Francomedia. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
- ^ "2010 EMPixx Awards" (PDF). EMPixx Awards. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-08-15. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
- ^ "Entries Open October 2017". Telly Awards. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
- ^ a b c "Entries Open October 2017". Telly Awards. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
- ^ a b "2010 Crown Award Winners". International Christian Visual Media. Archived from the original on 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2019-10-23.