We are happy this week to feature Ryan Pettey, director of From The Dust, a documentary produced by regular RS contributor Kevin Marks (whom we will be featuring soon.
From the Dust is a documentary exploring the range of Christian thought on God’s method of making the world from creationism to evolution. I (Elijah Davidson) heartily recommend the film for anyone interested in the subject of Earth’s origin and the orthodoxy of various theories of that origin. The film features interviews with prominent theologians of all persuasions including Drs. Nancey Murphey, N.T. Wright, Alister McGrath, Jason Lisle, Clay Brinson and many others.
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Ryan Pettey
Director
From the Dust
Director
After The Last Round
1) How did you get involved in filmmaking and why?
I started making movies in Jr. High as part of class projects. If there wasn’t an option to make a movie for a particular project, I would beg the teacher to let me make one. If that didn’t work, I’d start a petition. If that didn’t work, I’d organize a class walk-out. And if THAT didn’t work, I would just do another option. I didn’t get serious until college but stuck with it because it was simply something I loved. I began editing full-time on commercial productions and got my first big opportunity to direct a documentary in 2005 with After the Last Round.
2) What project(s) are you particularly excited about (current or past) and why?
From the Dust is the project I am most proud of in terms of cultural importance. I am so grateful to have been asked to make the film and learned so much in the process of creating it. I have so much respect for all of the authors, theologians, and biblical scholars I met. I hope to stay close to the topic and maybe one day do a followup project of some relation. The complexity of Christian theology is such a fertile place to create a compelling documentary, and it is important for Christians (and non-Christians) to see constructive dialogue around difficult biblical topics.
3) How does your faith influence your filmmaking?
For me, faith gives us permission to be comfortable with complexity. It gives us confidence to seek a greater understanding of God and to approach each “big question” with humility. As a filmmaker, that is a gift. It creates a safe space for the exploration of ideas. The rich history of Christian theology has proven that there is no shortage of talking points and therefore it is an open invitation to filmmakers. I hope to make films that inspire people to seek a higher vantage point from which they process their own beliefs.
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For more information on Ryan Pettey and his other projects with his production company, Satellite Pictures, visit their website. You many also preview much of their work on their Vimeo page.
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Trailer for After the Last Round
Trailer for From the Dust