ELCA NEWS SERVICE
January 12, 2006
Historic Film about Lutherans, Civil Rights Named to National Film Registry
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CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "A Time for Burning," a landmark civil rights film featuring the struggles of Augustana Lutheran Church, Omaha, Neb., and its pastor, the Rev. William Youngdahl, was named to the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.
The film is one of only 25 films to be designated this year out of more than 1,000 films nominated. "A Time for Burning," produced and released in 1966 by Lutheran Film Associates, will be part of a library of more than 400 selected films preserved for their cultural, historic and artistic significance.
Lutheran Film Associates (LFA), an organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, was established in 1952. Begun by the United Lutheran Church in America and the National Lutheran Council, LFA released its first motion picture, "Martin Luther," in 1953.
Docurama, a dedicated distributor of documentaries, had already slated the film for its DVD debut this month to commemorate Black History Month, according to a Docurama news release.
"This is an incredible honor for everyone involved in the creation of 'A Time for Burning,' from Bill Jersey to Lutheran Film Associates, the group behind the original production," said Steve Savage, co-principal and founder of Docurama parent New Video. Jersey was producer and director of the film.
"We, too, are honored to have such an estimable, treasured and significant film as part of our library, and, as new 'gatekeepers' of the film, are pleased to be able to share it with the country on DVD during a time when race relations are such a critical part of our national dialogue," he added.
"This honor not only testifies to the artistic vision of Bill Jersey and the bravery of the Lutheran church, but also highlights the film's timeless and candid treatment of hot-button racial and civil-rights issues," said Becky Cummings, director of Lutheran Film Associates, St. Louis. "In the ever-expanding melting pot that is our society, the film is as relevant today as it was in 1966. We are honored that our film will hold this place in our country's history."
The story chronicles the work of Pastor Youngdahl who spurred his all-White congregation into action. In the story Youngdahl tries to get the congregation to reach out to African-American Lutherans. Jersey captured Youngdahl's efforts in the early days of the civil rights movement.
The film is "unsparingly honest," the news release said. "A Time for Burning" relives the anguish and awakenings of the civil rights era through the words and actions of Youngdahl and members of the congregation with an up-close treatment of race issues during the civil rights movement, the release said.
"A Time for Burning" was originally rejected by the three major television networks as being too controversial, the release said. It earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary. In addition to the original film, Docurama's DVD release features a director's commentary, a recent interview with Ernie Chambers -- a local barber who appeared in the film -- and a statement and biography of the filmmaker.
In 1970 Chambers was elected to the Nebraska state senate, and in 2005 became the state's longest-serving senator. He is a well-known defender of human rights in Nebraska.
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Information about "A Time for Burning" is at http://tinyurl.com/c7lte on the Web.
Information about Lutheran Film Associates is at http://www.lutheranfilm.org on the Web.
*Michael Krause is with Foundry Communications, New York
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