Audience of One (2007)

80% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
82% of users liked it
(337 ratings)

A Pentecostal minister with no experience as a filmmaker receives a divine vision instructing him to shoot an epic science fiction film based on the biblical tale of Joseph, and documentary filmmaker Michael Jacobs follows every step of the tumultuous film production that follows. As tension on the… More A Pentecostal minister with no experience as a filmmaker receives a divine vision instructing him to shoot an epic science fiction film based on the biblical tale of Joseph, and documentary filmmaker Michael Jacobs follows every step of the tumultuous film production that follows. As tension on the set rises and the production experiences a series of disheartening setbacks, Jacobs catches charismatic minister-turned-director Richard Gazowsky and his loyal flock as they strive to see their vision reach the silver screen. Set to be shot on 70 mm film and described by the ambitious director as "Star Wars meets The Ten Commandments," "Gravity: The Shadow of Joseph" aspires to truly biblical proportions. Now, as the impressive but inexperienced cast and crew travels to Italy and prepares to shoot their epic on state-of-the-art film equipment, the production hits an unforeseen hitch as the 100 million dollars promised to them by German investors fails to materialize. With rumors of Satan's mischief soon being whispered among the members of the congregation/crew, the pastor remains resolute in his vision and determined to conquer any and all obstacles that stand in their way. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 28 min.
Directed By: Mike Jacobs
Genres: Documentary, Television

In Theaters: Mar 9, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Apr 28, 2009
Studio: Elephant Eye Films

Critic Reviews

V.A. Musetto, New York Post
Somewhere above us, God is watching Audience of One and chuckling. Mere mortals will be doing likewise.
Nathan Lee, New York Times
Audience of One follows the descent of a scrappy indie production into a full-blown fiasco and megalomaniacal folly.
J. Hoberman, Village Voice
Ridiculous as it is, Audience of One is more chilling than funny.
Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle
Entertaining in a one-dimensional way, but ultimately rather sad, partly because of the level of delusion on display and partly because Gazowsky and company are an easy target.
Karina Longworth, SpoutBlog
Real-life mockumentary.
Avi Offer, NYC Movie Guru
Mildly engaging and absurdly funny, but that barely compensates for its lack of insight and profound revelations about Pastor Richard Gazowsky.
Keith Uhlich, Slant Magazine
It's a product of a dangerous sort of tunnel vision that afflicts a number of documentarians these days.
Ben Kenigsberg, Time Out New York
At first, we're led to think we're in for a funny, affectionate portrayal of eccentricity. But as equipment malfunctions and debt piles up, it becomes clear the actual subject is the dangerously empowering nature of fanaticism.
Sara Maria Vizcarrondo, Boxoffice Magazine
Too good to be missed.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
I'm still recommending it, mainly because of the great story it hints at and for the way it genuinely captures the excitement and heartbreak of filmmaking.

Read all 10 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Christopher B

Like a character from a Wernor Herzog film, the audience watches as the Pastor of a church decides to make a big budget mash up of The Ten Commandments and Star Wars called Gravity: The Story of Joseph. Like Kinski at the end of Aguirre, you truly witness madness at the final… More
Like a character from a Wernor Herzog film, the audience watches as the Pastor of a church decides to make a big budget mash up of The Ten Commandments and Star Wars called Gravity: The Story of Joseph. Like Kinski at the end of Aguirre, you truly witness madness at the final congregation. It's actually kind of chilling, I can honestly say my jaw was hanging open. Still, up until that point it's a fun film about a guy who dares to dream bigger than he has any right to. Also, it's an ode to Star Wars in the fact that the pastor hadn't seen any movies until he was 40 until he saw Star Wars, which it's awesomeness I'm certain drove him on this crazy mission.