IRONY

Many people think of 80s Christian heavy metal bands like Ellen Page’s character in WHIP IT does: with a detached, comic irony.

The reasoning:

One, God does not exist. Two, religion is false. Three, Christianity is probably the worst religion because it insists on everyone believing in its way to God. Four, using popular music to “win” people to Christianity is a classic bait and switch tactic that works only for some (really dumb) teenagers.

So wearing her mom’s Stryper T-shirt becomes a way for her character to say, “I don’t fall for typical teenage bullsh-t.”

(Only, she does fall for roller derby. But I digress…)

I am currently writing a not-ironic screenplay about an 80s Christian heavy metal band.

I like stories about people who believe...without a trace of irony. People whose passion is mocked by cynics, but who still find a way to prevail.