In 2016, a black, female professor at a prominent Christian college wore a hijab and said that Christians and Muslims worship the Same God. The firestorm that followed exposed the rifts among evangelicals over race, Islam, religious freedom...and Donald Trump.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Linda Midgett

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I am an alumna of Wheaton College and was following the controversy with Dr. Larycia Hawkins very closely. As it took on global proportions, I was fascinated with how evangelicals were polarized in how they viewed what she had done. Some saw her as a heretic; others saw her as embodying the Christian faith. I wanted to explore that divide. Many assume the film is simply about whether Muslims and Christians worship the Same God. But it's really more an exploration of whether evangelicals worship the Same God.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

The film is an exploration of white evangelicalism and it's blindness towards systemic racism. It's important to understand because of the power that white evangelicals currently hold in our political system. The film is also very inspiring for people of faith and humanists. Dr. Hawkins is a model of what solidarity with one another looks like. She is also an example of the high cost associated with acts of embodied solidarity. If you care about humanity and how to pursue peace in our world, this is a film that you must see.

Same God - The selfie that started the firestorm.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The film is the story of a woman who was exiled from her community for doing the "right thing." Her journey of suffering is the universal story of prophets and how they are marginalized in our world.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

We filmed over the course of two years. When we began filming, it was during the presidential primaries in 2016. By the time we ended filming, Donald Trump had been elected and the world had changed. What was fascinating was seeing how the seeds of polarization came to fruition during the filming. A lot of the interviews we filmed in 2016 seemed prophetic by the time the documentary was completed.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Audiences are very moved and inspired by Dr. Hawkins' story. They frequently cry during the film, and almost all thank her for her courageous stance against Islamophobia. I have had many people tell me that they personally feel convicted to do better in the world and to make a difference with their lives. You honestly can't ask for better feedback than that! By the same token, there are many evangelicals who won't see the film because they assume the title means it's a treatise on whether Muslims and Christians worship the "same God."

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

The resistance to the title has actually confirmed why I chose it. Same God is the issue that got Dr. Hawkins in trouble, and it's still the heart of the matter. Even though it may keep certain people away, I feel more strongly now than ever that it's exactly the right title.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I just hope more people will seek out the film so we can broaden our audience. Many people talk about how timely and important the film is, and we need support!

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

We are looking for distributors and also need some national reviews of the film.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I want this film to open desperately needed dialogue between Christians and Muslims and people of all faiths. We are in a very dangerous time when almost every week, there are shootings at synagogues, mosques and churches. We need discussions about what we have in common. Our lives depend on finding that common ground and celebrating it.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Do Muslims and Christians worship the Same God? Do evangelicals worship the Same God?

Interview: April 2019

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Same God

Length: 1:35:00

Director: Linda Midgett

Producer: Linda Midgett

Writer: Linda Midgett and Lesley Kubistal

About the writer, director and producer:

LINDA MIDGETT is an Emmy-award winning writer, producer, director and showrunner.

Looking for: distributors, buyers

Facebook: Same God Film

Twitter: @samegodfilm

Instagram: @samegodfilm

Hashtags used: #embodiedsolidarity #samegodfilm #DocHawk