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I’ll be blunt. Jane and Emma is the best movie to come out of the Latter-day Saint cinema movement in years. This story of the friendship between Jane Manning and Emma Smith in the aftermath of Joseph Smith’s assassination is also one of the very best in the 20 years since God’s Army launched the genre. And most of us didn’t see it.
I get it. We’ve been burned by bad “Mormon Cinema” (now Latter-day Saint Cinema) films and we’re turned off. There’s a million glossy Hollywood products in theaters and a billion to stream at home. But folks, we missed the boat.
Of course, the boat will come back around. You can preorder the DVD and Bluray and watch it from home when it comes out. But that’s not the same as the immersive emotional experience of watching it on the big screen, with the filmmakers answering your questions on the history, doctrine, and modern relevance of this well-acted, profoundly written movie.
That’s the opportunity presented at this week’s LDS Film Festival, where Jane and Emma has a screening (followed by a filmmaker Q&A) tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the SCERA theater in Orem, Utah. It will have an encore screening at 11:00 a.m. this coming Saturday (with a making-of panel at 1:00 p.m.). Producers Tamu Smith and Zandra Vranes collaborated with Melissa Leilani Larson on the script of Jane and Emma, helping produce the emotional and historical authenticity of the movie.
I recently spoke with the film’s director, Chantelle Squires, and its executive producer, Jenn Lee Smith, about why this is the film Latter-day Saint audiences need right now, as we confront complex history through the lens of faith.
Q&A with Chantelle Squires and Jenn Lee Smith
Jonathon Decker: First of all, thank you for making this film. I'm so thrilled that a movie like this exists. It so faithfully and intelligently tackles tough issues head-on. For a lot of people who wrestle with the Church's history regarding race, it's an answer to prayer. I hope everyone watches it, to be honest. How did it come to be? Who had the idea to tell this story?
Squires and Smith: It was the combined efforts of multiple talented people, primarily women, with different backgrounds and life experiences. We were all inspired by Jane and by Emma.
JD: What did your writer learn about Jane Manning that they didn't know before?
SS: There is limited historical documentation for Jane, but the little that we have gives us a sense for the kind of faithful, determined woman that she was. As we worked through the script in the writing process, and as the actress brought her own interpretation to set, and even through the editing process, her personality unfolded and we all fell in love with this incredible woman. She is a pillar of strength in all of our lives.
JD: What did they learn about Joseph and Emma? I think this film shows them in a loving, but realistic, light.
SS: We really wanted to show the deep love between Joseph and Emma because we know there is a strength that comes when relationships are tested and tried. Their relationship wasn’t perfect, and it wasn’t easy, but they loved each other and we wanted to portray that as honestly as possible.
JD: What response have you had from Latter-day Saint audiences, black and white? What about viewers not of our faith?
SS: We’ve had nothing but positive responses from Latter-day Saint audiences and viewers not of our faith as well! At the Atlanta premiere, multiple black audience members expressed how much they connected to Jane’s story. Latter-day Saint audiences have loved the way Jane was a strong and steady friend to Emma in good times and bad. Despite extremely difficult challenges surrounding Jane’s life, she persevered and relied on the Lord.
JD: What experiences did the cast and crew have making it? What inspiring moments can you share?
SS: Without fail, the actors brought the energy and inspired performances every day to set. Three of our four leads are not Latter-day Saints. Danor Gerald (who plays a phenomenal Isaac) is the only exception. This is the first Latter-day Saint film, to my knowledge, that had a 50 percent female crew and where the lead actors, director, writer, and producers are majority women. This was a different kind of production for many reasons, and we tried different things such as inviting the venerable founder of Genesis Group, Darius Gray, to speak on set. We also recognized International Women’s Day (which is coming up on March 8!).
JD: Tell us about production. Some of this was filmed on location in Nauvoo, is that right? How was that?
SS: The majority of the filming took place at This Is The Place Heritage Park, but we did film most of the establishing shots and Jane’s journey on foot in Nauvoo and at the actual Mansion House. It was blisteringly cold, especially for Danielle, who hails from the warmer climes of Atlanta. We were all monitoring the weather every hour, praying that it would cooperate. When we arrived it was still a bit wet and drizzly but the days following were all clear! It was meant to be.
JD: What are the core messages of this film for Church members?
SS: We must give each other the space to heal from our individual pain and trials. We must recognize that all are alike unto God, and we have to reach outside of our comfort zones to understand one another and unite ourselves together. We still have a long way to go to become one as a people, but when you open your eyes and heart to those around you who are suffering, that’s a good first step. Let’s learn from Jane’s story and know that our trials make us stronger and give us a better understanding that a loving and patient God is watching over us, caring for us, teaching us every step of the way.
JD: If someone hasn't watched it yet, why would you say they should make seeing Jane and Emma a priority?
SS: First, the history. There is so little of women’s history from the 1800s in general. Regardless of gender, all can come together on the value of seeing oft-told moments in history from different lenses. Secondly, the visuals. Many audience members have commented on the cinematic appeal of this film and the performances are just as stunning as the cinematography. Third, the story. After you see the film, the story of Jane and Emma is one that stays with you for a long time. We love storytelling and we love being changed by films we see. It's an entertaining story of friendship between two women that happened in real life. It references well-documented history such as showing that the Prophet Joseph was an abolitionist in his doctrines and actions at a time when it was dangerous to take that stance. Much of the night itself is reimagined in the film, but still, it thoroughly honors what little is known about these two important women in Latter-day Saint history. Let's share more stories of women in early days of the Church and today!
For tickets and information on this week’s LDS Film Festival, visit ldsfilmfest.com. To learn more about this film visit janeandemmamovie.com.
Preorder this stunning movie on DVD and Bluray.
This acclaimed film is based on the historical record of the friendship between Jane Manning, one of the first black members of the Church, and Emma Smith, wife of the Prophet Joseph. Told in the wake of Joseph Smith's assassination, Jane and Emma explores the profound relationship between these two great women and the strength and unity they find together during troubling times.
Jonathan Decker is a family therapist and clinical director of Your Family Expert. He is an actor, author, comedian, and television personality known for his book 250 Great Movies for Latter-day Families, co-hosting The KJZZ Movie Show, and starring in CTU: Provo and BYU’s Divine Comedy. He’ll be judging at this year’s LDS Film Festival.
