Interview with Richard Dutcher

Faith and Film: Richard Dutcher’s Journey Beyond Mormon Cinema

Live from Salt Lake City, Utah, Heart of the Matter ESPRESSO! is dedicated to worshiping God in Spirit and Truth. Hosted by Shawn McCraney, the show recently featured Richard Dutcher, a filmmaker known for his work in Mormon cinema. Dutcher, originally from Illinois and a former LDS missionary, has made significant contributions to the film industry with titles like “God’s Army” and “Brigham City.” Despite his success, Dutcher left the LDS Church in 2007, expressing a desire to explore broader spiritual themes in his work.

Dutcher’s departure from the church was marked by an open letter criticizing the state of Mormon cinema, which he felt was plagued by shallow films lacking depth and meaning. He advocated for more well-crafted films that genuinely explore Mormon themes. This stance sparked controversy, notably with filmmaker Kieth Merrill, though Merrill later apologized for his initial criticism.

In addition to discussing Dutcher’s journey, the show announced upcoming events, including open water baptisms and a hot dog extravaganza on August 20th, 2017, at CAMPUS. The show also teased future guests, such as Dave Bartosiewitz, who is transitioning from an LDS outreach to studying with the Greek Orthodox Church. Heart of the Matter has embraced social media, launching its own Facebook page to connect with its audience.