88-minute nonfiction video
236-page supplementary text
discussion tour
2008-2009
An immersive journey through the recent history of reactionary American apocalypticism. Using archival video, movement propaganda and original investigative material, the film and book track the emergence of a mass movement seeking “dominion” over all aspects of contemporary society. Structured as multi-layered cinematic essay, the film investigates the ideological echoes between an obscure Christian survivalist group active in the 1970’s-80’s (the Covenant, the Sword and the Arm of the Lord or CSA) and the mainstream Christian Right of today. The book, A Kingdom at Any Cost, combines supplementary interview material by leading experts on apocalypticism, new religious movements and religious violence with CSA documentation, excerpts from two memoirs by Kerry Noble (former religious leader of CSA) and an extended screenplay excerpt of Silhouette City. In addition to a theatrical premiere at The Roxie Theater in San Francisco, the project has been presented widely through a screening/discussion tour of numerous film festivals and college campuses.
film website: www.silhouettecity.com
book website: www.akingdomatanycost.com
directed by Michael W. Wilson; produced by Natalie Zimmerman; written by Michael W. Wilson & Natalie Zimmerman; edited by Holen Kahn, Michael W. Wilson & Natalie Zimmerman; music composed by Ori Barel