The Gospel of Eureka

Eureka Springs, AR, was just waiting for someone to show up with a camera and make a film about its quirky juxtaposition of a large LGBTQ population and an equally sizable evangelical Christian community, capped by a garish (and daily) outdoor stage production of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. Does that sound like the making of a small town culture war? Yes it does, but that’s not quite what happens. With locals soon heading toward the polls to vote on a referendum that would banish all discrimination against LGBTQ people in the town, there is much discussion going on, but it’s not as divided as one might think. There are plenty of Christians in the LGBTQ community, including at a gay nightclub, where transvestite entertainers thump the Bible at the same time they’re singing ribald songs. Similarly, some of the devout people of faith we meet, including the proprietor of that year-round Passion Play, may hate the alleged sin of homosexuality but not the sinners. As such, they won’t let their divine, open-to-all churches and faith-based businesses be told what to do by anybody who would codify blatant discrimination into law. It’s interesting and even heartening to see these nuances at a time of rampant camp warfare in America. At the center of filmmakers Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher’s documentary are Lee and Walter, the married gay couple who own that nightclub (referred to as a "hillbilly Studio 54"). Their three-decade history and in-the-moment narrative adds emotion and poignancy to the film. Extras include deleted scenes and a booklet with an essay by film critic Caden Mark Gardner. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)