Magical Movie Moments - Passage to Zarahemla  

Posted by Linda Keilbart Scanlan in , ,

If you're a fan of LDS movies, but enjoy the action of Sci-Fi then you will love "Passage to Zarahemla" The plot is based on a Twilight Zone experience when two time periods occupy the same space in Leeds, Utah.

Kerra and Brock leave LA suddenly. Their mother has died, the gangs are after stolen merchandise, and the state wants to separate the kids into foster homes. What else could Kerra do except run to the only family members she remembers? Her father's kin.

Kerra has mixed feelings about running to these estranged relatives. Her father, as far as she remembers, deserted the family shortly after her parents divorce. In her heart she doesn't want to believe her father ran off, but there is no proof to the contrary.

Her father's relatives prove to be different to say the least. Their uncle has short term memory problems. The children introduce themselves to him every day after work. Brock has serious doubts about this family.

Then there is Grandpa McConnell. He is known for his "ghost stories".

"These woods are a very special place. An ancient place. The Indians knew it. They were coming here to pray when I was a kid. I can't explain it. Maybe it's the fault line that runs through here. Or a combination of things. But it's all pulled together. Right there! Everything that's ever happened on this continent. History. Voices. You can feel it, too, Right? You can feel their presence like echoes in time. Sometimes I can feel it too." - Grandpa McConnell (http://www.passagetozarahemla.com/story.php)


In the midst of all this strangeness, Kiddoni appears. A nephite warrior whose outpost is near the McConnell farm. He is Kerra's childhood imaginary friend, who turns out not to be so imaginary. Kiddoni warns Kerra of an impending invasion that crosses her uncles lands. The invasion is by Gadianton Robbers.

As the Gadianton Robbers become more of a reality, the LA gang comes to reclaim their merchandise from Brock. In the culminating scene of Robbers and Gang Members, it is easy to see the reality of evil still around us today. The past and all of it's history, is truly a part of the present.

Summer Naomi Smart - Kerra McConnell
A native of Salt Lake City, Summer has been performing on stage since she was 16. Her theatre credits include three seasons at Southern Utah's Tuacahn Center for the Arts, Robert Redford's Sundance Theatre, Hale Center Theatre, Disneyland Entertainment, and currently, as Nessarose in the Chicago cast of the Broadway Musical, Wicked. Summer received her BFA from Brigham Young University, majoring in Music Dance Theatre. While there, she performed and toured internationally as a three-year member of the BYU Young Ambassadors. Summer can be seen in the title role of Liken the Scriptures' Esther and the King, and made her feature film debut as Belle in Beauty and the Beast: a Latter-day Tale. Chris Heimerdinger has said of Summer: "Summer really shined on the screen. We auditioned over 600 different girls and picked Summer. I am of the opinion now that this is because no one else, but Summer, could have performed this role."
(http://www.passagetozarahemla.com/cast.php)

This movie is rated PG, but it has two different versions on the same disc. There is a less violent version for younger children. According to my husband this is the best LDS film yet. It is definitely worth the viewing.


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This entry was posted on Monday, June 23, 2008 at Monday, June 23, 2008 and is filed under , , . You can follow any responses to this entry through the comments feed .

2 comments

Thanks so much for your wonderful review!

Chris H.

June 24, 2008 at 7:50 AM

Thank you Chris for leaving a comment. For the reader, Chris is the brains behind Passage to Zarahemla.
He is a talented, writer & director. be sure to google him and learn more about his talents.

June 24, 2008 at 7:58 PM

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