The Real Old Testament

The Real Old Testament just picked up the audience choice award at our local film festival - Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival - as I predicted it would! This is the true story of biblical figures living in barren times, having their lives taped and finding out what happens when they stop being religious and start getting real.

The Real Old Testament is quite possibly the funniest movie I have ever seen. Curtis and Paul Hannum, the directors, have made a special film that somehow

manages to take the heavy-handed sentiment of the old testament and comically reveal its inherent absurdities when juxtaposed with modern thought and

technology. It is hysterical and certainly appeals to the heathen-with-a-sense-of-humor, but the most remarkable thing about this film is that it plays well to communities traditionally considered to be religious. Trust me, I know. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, third notch on the bible belt (mostly new testament stuff, but that

hardly matters) and this film filled its sneak preview at Workplay - a really cool theater/club/bar/offices/soundstage/fun place- and then filled to Standing Room Only at its venue during the festival. All the bible characters are brought richly to life by talented improv players - that's right - all improv, all the time. According to the brothers/directors, the cast would just read the bit of scripture they were working on at the time, and then just lay down lines that made sense for the story and worked for the

confessional-camera that The Real World television show revolves around. So, if biblical improv comedy is your thing - heck, even if you think it isn't your thing, see and support this film if you have the opportunity.

Judging simply by the non-stop laughter coming from the audience for the entire 88 minute duration of the REAL OLD TESTAMENT, this was the most appreciated film at Colorado's Boulder International Film Festival this year, hands down.

With the improvisational brilliance of both the director and the actors, the film worked amazingly in weaving both blatant and subtle mockery onto the traditional bible stories and perfectly matched the Boulder audience's liberal, educated and somewhat odd sense of humor on every level.

Note to Curtis Hannum: you better be back for BIFF 2006!