COLLISION will be released on October 27, 2009. It will be available on DVD and will premiere at theaters in New York and Los Angeles. The DVD is available now for pre-order on Amazon.com.
SYNOPSIS
COLLISION carves a new path in documentary film-making as it pits leading atheist, political journalist and bestselling author Christopher Hitchens against fellow author, satirist and evangelical theologian Douglas Wilson, as they go on the road to exchange blows over the question: “Is Christianity Good for the World?”. The two contrarians laugh, confide and argue, in public and in private, as they journey through three cities. And the film captures it all. The result is a magnetic conflict, a character-driven narrative that sparkles cinematically with a perfect match of arresting personalities and intellectual rivalry. COLLISION is directed by prolific independent filmmaker Darren Doane (Van Morrison: To Be Born Again, The Battle For L.A., Godmoney).
OVERVIEW
In May 2007, leading atheist Christopher Hitchens and Christian apologist Douglas Wilson began to argue the topic Is Christianity Good for the World? in a series of written exchanges published in Christianity Today. The rowdy literary bout piqued the interest of filmmaker Darren Doane, who sought out Hitchens and Wilson to pitch the idea of making a film around the debate.
In Fall 2008, Doane and crew accompanied Hitchens and Wilson on an east coast tour to promote the book compiled from their written debate titled creatively enough, Is Christianity Good for the World?. I loved the idea of putting one of the beltways most respected public intellectuals together with an ultra-conservative pastor from Idaho that looks like a lumberjack, says Doane. You couldnt write two characters more contrary. Whats more real and punk rock than a fight between two guys who are on complete opposite sides of the fence on the most divisive issue in the world? We were ready to make a movie about two intellectual warriors at the top of their game going one-on-one. I knew it would make an amazing film.
In Christopher Hitchens, Doane found a celebrated prophet of atheism. Loud. Funny. Angry. Smart. Quick. An intimidating intellectual Goliath. Well-known for bullying and mocking believers into doubt and doubters into outright unbelief. In Douglas Wilson, Doane found the man who could provide a perfect intellectual, philosophical, and cinematic counterpoint to Hitchens’ position and style. A trained philosopher and and deft debater. Big, bearded, and jolly. A pastor, a contrarian, a humorist–an unintimidated outsider, impossible to bully, capable of calling Hitchens a puritan (over a beer).
It was a collision of lives.
What Doane didnt expect was how much Hitchens and Wilson would have in common and the respectful bond the new friend/foes would build through the course of the book tour. These guys ended up at the bar laughing, joking, drinking. There were so many things that they had in common, according to Doane. Opinions on history and politics. Literature and poetry. They agreed on so many things. Except on the existence of God.
BIOS
CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS
Christopher Hitchens (b. April 13, 1949) is a popular political journalist and the author of several books, including God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. Hitchens is regarded as one of the most fundamental figures of modern atheism. A regular contributor to Vanity Fair, The Atlantic Monthly and Slate, Hitchens also appears regularly on The Daily Show, Charlie Rose, Washington Journal, and Real Time with Bill Maher. He was named one of the USs “25 Most Influential Liberals by Forbes and one of the worlds Top 100 Public Intellectuals by Foreign Policy. Hitchens lives in Washington, DC.
DOUGLAS WILSON
Douglas Wilson (b. June 18, 1953) is a pastor of Christ Church, editor of Credenda/Agenda magazine, and a Senior Fellow at New Saint Andrews College. A prolific writer, he is the author of many books, including The Case for Classical Christian Education, Letter from a Christian Citizen, Reforming Marriage and Heaven Misplaced: Christs Kingdom on Earth. Wilson lives in Moscow, Idaho.
DARREN DOANE
Darren Doane is a Los Angeles-based independent filmmaker. Doane made his name as a music video director. His work for Blink-182, AFI, Jimmy Eat World and Pennywise is credited for helping bring punk rock into the mainstream in the 1990s. His previous documentary film, The Battle For LA, explored the underground battle rap scene in Los Angeles. Doane is currently in production on the documentary film To Be Born Again about legendary musician Van Morrison and has also written and directed several feature films, including Godmoney, 42K and Black Friday.
Duration : 0:6:30
I agree, I’ve read …
I agree, I’ve read the pamphlet Southern Slavery, As It Was by Wilson and its borderline similar to holocaust denial.
I’m surprised Hitchens didn’t attack Wilson more about this.
ldfmeile, you could …
ldfmeile, you could be right about D’Souza, but I remain skeptical. His apologetics are twisted and mind-numbing to me, and his smug attitude makes me want to hit him in the face with a pie.
KaeBR, I couldn’t agree more. I prefer someone I can believe actually buys the crap they sell through naivete, and D’Souza is clearly not naive. “The bible is true because it says so in the bible” should be met with “You’re just not allowed to be that stupid”.
Nah, I’d rather …
Nah, I’d rather have Douglas Wilson. He really does seem to believe what he says and seems to have some kind of thought out rationale for it.
Every time I hear Dinesh speaking, his arguments reek of intellectual dishonesty; the kind that should get people laughed out of an intellectual discussion and never let back in again for making.
Whats the music 5: …
Whats the music 5:10? Like it
I think you’re …
I think you’re rationale is a little too black and white. I feel that D’Souza is sincere in his beliefs. I’ve read some of his work and he has a clear understanding of the role that Christianity played in the development of Western Culture. His main point is that many of the concepts that secularist celebrate emanate from a Christian origin.
Does anyone know if …
Does anyone know if this will be avalible on DVD in Region 2? Or is this DVD going to be region 0, so it’s playerble on all dvd players.
Ugh, I must have …
Ugh, I must have spent too much time on this argument, several people have said they think more of D’Souza than most christian apologists, but I just don’t. He’s too smart, I think he’s an outright fraud. I’ve enjoyed Rabbi Wolpe more than many because at least he actually seems to care about the betterment of mankind as it’s own end, separate from spreading the religion virus.
Yeah, that’s the …
Yeah, that’s the one. He was angry, and wrong on most of his “scientific” points as well, but that didn’t seem to matter. Most people care more about what’s comfortable than what’s true.
It’s not coming to …
It’s not coming to theaters anywhere else??
Sad day!!
I’m surprised they …
I’m surprised they made a movie with Douglas Wilson, who is a Confederate apologist and a crackpot among crackpots. Dinesh D’Souza would have been a better choice. He argues the theist point much better.
Wilson has had …
Wilson has had respect for Hitchens..
..it’s best when it’s dis-respectful. The HITCH wipes the floor everytime.
I so agree.
The …
I so agree.
The least religious nation, Japan, just happens to have the highest average IQ in the World.
Do the Math.
Middle East = Thick as fuck.
this looks really …
this looks really good
Religion is so anti …
Religion is so anti intellectual. isnt it strange that we would be designed with a brain but are not allowed to use it. Hitchens is an in incredible intellect and being so wired must find religion delusional
Turek seemed really …
Turek seemed really angry in that debate… assuming your referring to the one here on youtube.
I’ll look forward …
I’ll look forward to seeing it- I don’t mind shelling out that modest price. I got to see Hitchens debate Frank Turek, and I thought he was truly brilliant. Still, the largely christian audience gave Turek more props, I have to assume it’s because they simply have no concept of what “unsupported claim” means.
I’m already mad at Wilson from this clip- exactly how does he plan to substantiate that christianity is “objectively true…”? Clearly he doesn’t know what “objective” means. Grrrrr.
Opiate of the …
Opiate of the sheeple.
it is evil to be …
it is evil to be intellectually dishonest. ; )
Well, he’s …
Well, he’s definitely not a complete moron.
Intellectually dishonest? Would that he were.
I’m surprised at how often people fail to consider a third option.
He’s evil.
He is an unapologetic and gleeful defender of a genocidal ideology (don’t take my word for this, look up his statements). He is an enemy of civilization.
I am a great admirer of Hitchens but do not understand how he can maintain good relations with such a person any more than he would with a Nazi or a Stalinist.
Furthermore, …
Furthermore, William Lane Craig speaks in a manner that is nearly unintelligible. Fractured grammar, double meanings, logic twisted into moebius strips. It’s very difficult to dig out from under tons of his rubble and garbage.
cool music
cool music
Oh, I think there’s …
Oh, I think there’s plenty of subjects where you’ll find yourself in conflict with the old Hitch. It’s just that he’s mostly talking about people who believe in barbaric fairy tales.
Otherwise it’s just like Ron Paul. He tells his thing about free markets, individual freedoms and limited government without going into details. Everyone completely agrees. But when something specific comes up, he just makes your jaw drop. That dude’s got some frightening ideologically driven ideas.
I watched one of …
I watched one of these debates.
The result was obvious.
Hitchens whipped Douglas like a rented mule.
The only person I have seen rattle Hitchens in any way was William Craig and that was only because Craig has drank the kool-aide so much that he suffers from complete reality detachment and cannot be reasoned with at all.
Hitch is the Biggie …
Hitch is the Biggie Smalls of public intellectuals.
I never thought it …
I never thought it was possible to gangstafy the Hitch.