Hot Docs 2008

Summer 2006 in Berlin meant one thing to millions of people across the world: World Cup Soccer. But for 10,000 born-again Christians, it was an irresistible opportunity to spread the gospel to beer-swilling, flag-waving rowdy soccer fans. Jesus Loves You follows the efforts of a German church organization, led by the disturbingly "hip" Tilmann Pfor, to host thousands of missionaries from churches around the world at a German castle. Their mission, of course, is to convert soccer fans to Christianity. The film follows their awkward encounters with the fans. When a young man shrouded in a German flag is asked if he believes in God, he responds curtly, "I believe in Germany." When one American tries to get Turkish Muslims living in Germany to join his congregation, Church 411, the absurdity of their mission is revealed. Ultimately, the film is an interesting study of the worldwide battle between religious fundamentalism and conflicting world views.
-Shannon Abel