Where ‘Star Wars’ meets ‘Ten Commandments’

In progress: “Actors” work on the set of the movie “Gravity” in “Audience of One.” (Courtesy photo)

SAN FRANCISCO — A year after seeing his first film ever, at age 40, the pastor of San Francisco’s Voice of the Pentecost church, Richard Gazowsky, announced that he had received a call from God  to make religious films. In 2005, armed with little financial backing, no film experience, a volunteer staff including his wife and children, and a profound stubbornness, Gazowsky and his congregation begin their attempt to make “Gravity,” an extravaganza he describes as “‘Star Wars’ meets ‘The Ten Commandments.’” The process is documented with a light touch in the award-winning  “Audience of One” by director Mike Jacobs. The Examiner spoke with Jacobs:

What attracted you to this as the subject for your first documentary?

It looked like an amazing story, with great characters. When I first met Richard, I wasn’t sure what was real and what wasn’t, what was going to happen. And then soon after, he announced they were going to Italy to shoot, so I thought wow, they’re really making their movie.

How did you get yourself to Italy?

I cashed in frequent flier miles. I was what they call a one-man band:  I owned a digital camera, which I taught myself to shoot — I didn’t go to film school — and I had a small mike attached to the top of the camera, and that was it.  I did get some help later from other San-Francisco-based filmmakers in editing and shooting.

Was there any proselytizing from church members while you were filming?

Every day! [laughs] I was always transparent with them, saying, “Look, I’m not Christian, I’m not going to join the church.” And every day, in a very non-threatening way, a very sweet and sincere way, they’d say things like, “Hey, one of these days you’re going to put that camera down and find out why you really keep coming back.”

Why did you decide not to enumerate the congregation’s basic beliefs?

I was drawn to their filmmaking and their creativity, and the faith within those efforts. I hold to an observational approach; if I’d been contextualizing the church, I’d be leading the audience in certain ways, and I’m uncomfortable with that.

How did the congregation react to seeing “Audience of One”?

First and foremost, there are no cheap shots: I have fun with their filmmaking but when it comes to how they worship, I’m always respectful. The screening in the church had some of the biggest laughs and biggest cheers of any screening. It seems like in a way, it gave them a renewed sense of purpose, to keep going with “Gravity.”

And Pastor Gazowsky?

Richard said it was “honest, fair, hard to watch, and a little embarrassing.” And that he felt “the hand of God” in the doc. I’ve heard he makes new members of the company watch “Audience of One” to see what they’re getting into [laughs]

Did you ever feel that the real “Audience of One” is not God, as Pastor Gazowsky insists, but Gazowsky himself?

Absolutely. That’s why I really love that title.

IF YOU GO
Audience of One
Starring Richard Gazowsky
Directed by Mike Jacobs
Not rated
Running time 1 hour 28 minutes
Where: Roxie Theater, 3117 16th St., San Francisco, (415) 431-3611
When: March 27-29; Jacobs is scheduled to attend evening screenings.