Family Fundamentals
“A cry from the heart”
-Seattle Times
DVD includes over 80 minutes of bonus material and special features, including previously unreleased footage and a 12-page illustrated viewer’s guide. DVDs for institutions and community groups include a full-length comprehensive Study and Discussion guide.
“As in his other searingly intelligent docs, Dong presents the facts in an admirably clear-eyed way. After dealing with the military (Coming Out Under Fire) and how our justice system deals with killers of gays (Licensed to Kill), Family Fundamentals is far more intimate in nature, but no less significant…A MOVING POWERFUL FILM.”
–Film Journal International
"A mature, graceful and extraordinary accomplishment!”
–Filmthreat.com
“A MUST SEE FILM! The film captured the true picture of what has happened between so many parents and children of Christian Fundamentalists.”
–Rev. Janet Parker
Maranatha Fellowship, MCC Houston
Special Features:
Filmmaker Interview: An on-camera interview with filmmaker Arthur Dong is intercut with scenes from the film to illustrate how Family Fundamentals was created.
Additional Scenes:
- San Diego Spatula Ministries: Extended scenes of this conservative Christian parents support group give further insight to their particular beliefs about homosexuality and their own gay and lesbian children.
- San Diego Christian Conference on Trauma and Sexuality: Committee members discuss the theme for their upcoming conference that offers workshops on helping homosexuals become straight. Conference founder Kathleen Bremner further explains their goals.
- Susan Jester and her friends discuss the work and principles of Spatula Ministries and its effects on personal lives and civil liberties.
- Bob Dornan: On the U.S. Senate floor in 1989, former California Congressman Bob Dornan argued that religious-affiliated educational institutions have a right to prohibit certain gay-related activities on campus.
- Susan Jester looks over family photos and talks about her early years and her mother’s dreams of becoming a Hollywood starlet.
- Brian Bennett uses personal photos to tell humorous stories about his life with Bob Dornan.
- Brett Mathews decides whether or not he’ll keep family photos taken during his visit home.
DVD Main Menu
DVD Additional Scenes Menu
Interview Extras:
- David Jester grapples with his grandmother’s deep-rooted contempt for homosexuality. Guy Foti tries to help David reconcile his feelings.
- John McGraw, former California Republican Party Chair (2000), explains his conservative beliefs about homosexuality and asks for tolerance of his particular views.
- Shawn Steel, former California Republican Party Chair (2001), tries to understand Bob Dornan’s actions towards Brian Bennett and encourages reconciliation.
Musical Selections:
- Listen to music cues originally composed for Family Fundamentals, along with corresponding images from the film. A special feature allows you to hear the tracks singularly or all 14 tracks continuously without stopping.
- Read a short biography on Emmy Award-winning composer, Mark Adler, and his remarks on producing the soundtrack for Family Fundamentals.
12-Page Illustrated Viewers Guide:
- Essay by award-winning journalist/author Chris Bull tracing the decades-long conflict between the religious right and the gay movement
- Filmmaker’s Introduction
- Resource Guide
- Reading List
- Historical timeline of the battle between religious conservatives and gay activists
Plus:
- Scene Selection
- Widescreen Presentation