SHAFT will have its first event of the summer this Wednesday. We will be going to the 4:30 PM showing of 8: The Mormon Proposition at the Tower Theatre in SLC (876 E 900 S). Because this is a matinee showtime, tickets are only $6 dollars. The group may go out to dinner afterward, so budget for that too.

If you’re in Logan, SHAFT is organizing a carpool down to Salt Lake. Meet at 2:30 PM at Aggie Ice Cream (750 N 1200 E).

The documentary is about the LDS Church’s involvement in California’s Proposition 8, an anti-gay marriage ballot measure and constitutional amendment. If you’re not familiar with the movie, watch the trailer:

I was worried that 8: The Mormon Proposition would be unabashedly one-sided and angry. I saw the movie last week, and frankly it was those things. But, to my surprise, that didn’t detract from the movie—not seriously, at least.

I overlooked its bias, because it’s nearly impossible to get Mormon representation in a film. Church leaders and members alike are reticent to defend their beliefs on camera. Bill Maher encountered this problem in his comedy/documentary Religulous. Unfortunately, because of its bias, those who most need to see the movie (Mormons) won’t. The anger in the movie was also forgivable; Proposition 8 profoundly hurt California’s LGBT couples and families. Why shouldn’t they be upset?

Don’t expect that the documentary will be revelatory. If you followed the Proposition 8 controversy, you may not learn anything. Don’t expect the movie to be particularly insightful, either. It trades in stereotypes and simplistic arguments. My hope is that, at dinner, we’ll have the kind of intelligent discussion that the movie lacked.

8: The Mormon Proposition isn’t as polished as, say, Michael Moore’s political documentaries. It’s a low-budget labor of love, and it shows. But it’s an entertaining and deeply affecting film. I promise you won’t regret seeing it.

I look forward to seeing you there!