FIGHT CHURCH, the new documentary on the unlikely mix of MMA and Christianity is shared by filmmaker Bryan Storkel. We look at the trailer and clips from the film, which shines light on the brutal fights that accompany several Church congregations, their rationale of linking mixed martial arts with the teachings of Jesus, and how that has caused considerable controversy in and out of the community. It is a fascinating film covered in this episode of BYOD–the world’s only documentary talk show.
FILM & GUEST INFO:
Academy Award Winning Director, Daniel Junge (Saving Face) and Director Bryan Storkel (Holy Rollers: The True Story of Card Counting Christians) team up with Producers Eben Kostbar and Joseph McKelheer (The Hammer) for a feature documentary about the confluence of Christianity and Mixed Martial Arts, including ministries which train fighters. The film follows several pastors and popular fighters in their quest to reconcile their faith with a sport that many consider violent and barbaric. Faith is tried and questions are raised. Can you really love your neighbor as yourself and then punch him in the face?
Bryan Storkel is an award-winning documentary filmmaker who loves quirky characters and is fascinated by religious topics.
Storkel’s most recent film, HOLY ROLLERS: The True Story of Card Counting Christians played at over 40 festivals and won 10 Best Documentary Awards. The film focuses on a group of pastors who run the largest organized gambling team in the country, taking millions from casinos. Bryan Storkel is an award-winning documentary filmmaker who loves quirky characters and is fascinated by religious topics.
Storkel’s most recent film, HOLY ROLLERS: The True Story of Card Counting Christians played at over 40 festivals and won 10 Best Documentary Awards. The film focuses on a group of pastors who run the largest organized gambling team in the country, taking millions from casinos.
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EPISODE BREAKDOWN:
00:01 Welcome to BYOD with Ondi Timoner.
00:30 Joined today by Filmmaker Bryan Storkel, Co-Director of FIGHT CHURCH.
02:10 FIGHT CHURCH, Trailer.
06:20 The film follows four main pastors.
07:50 FIGHT CHURCH, Clip: Pastor John Renken.
16:35 FIGHT CHURCH, Clip: Pastor Preston.
21:30 Bryan didn’t know much about MMA before making the film, discovered it while watching with a church group.
23:30 Bryan doesn’t understand how MMA and Christianity would go together, but isn’t against it.
26:50 FIGHT CHURCH, Clip: Father John Duffel.
32:00 Thanks and goodbye.
32:20 FIGHT CHURCH, Clip: Pastor Paul Burress and his wife.