Denzel Washington Directs "The Great Debaters"

"The Great Debaters" inspires preview audience

A theater audience reacted exuberantly to "The Great Debaters," starring and directed by Denzel Washington and co-produced by Oprah Winfrey, inspired by the true story of the 1935 debate team at Wiley College, a historically black, United Methodist-related school in Marshall, Texas, reports ReligionAndSpirituality.com. A specially invited audience of 275 members from Nashville area United Methodist churches watched a sneak preview of the movie Thursday, which opens Dec. 25 in theaters across the United States, United Methodist News Service reported Friday.

The ethnically diverse crowd was engaged in the inspiring story of four black students shaped into a championship debate team in the Jim Crow South, offering acclamations of approval and encouragement as Washington's character used the power of words to nurture his underdog students. "This movie is phenomenal," said the Rev. Renee Franklin, pastor of Key-Stewart United Methodist Church in Gallatin, Tenn. "It reminds us of the rich gifts, God-given intelligence and great strength we have as African-American people of faith."

The Rev. James H. Salley called the film "one of the most invigorating movies I've ever seen. I think it should be mandatory for young people to see this movie," said Salley, associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement at Africa University, a United Methodist school in Zimbabwe.

Jack Tenzel, a member of Blakemore United Methodist Church, said "I think it should appeal to everyone, no matter what race, color or creed."

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[01/03/2008]

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