KEY POINTS:
I don't remember much violence but there's plenty of offensive language in Auckland film-maker Peter Bell's amusing but superficial documentary about the Destiny Church's campaign in the 2005 election.
The hateful rhetoric that pours from the mouth of "Bishop" Brian Tamaki and his supporters is even more offensive than the contempt for the apostrophe evident in their written material.
The good bishop will say that it wasn't the church but the "entirely separate" political party Destiny NZ that campaigned for seats in Parliament. This film gives the lie to that while reminding us that, having secured just 0.7 per cent support - 14,000 votes - Destiny has strutted and fretted its hour upon our political stage and, with luck, will be heard no more.
So the doco is about a historical incident rather than a current issue and is thus something of a curio.
Te Radar proves a genial and disarming presenter, charming his way under the defences of the people he talks to and with his goofy and incredulous grin making them look just as ridiculous as they are.
He also resists the temptation to crow at the ignominy of their election-night results. And he enlists Georgina Beyer as a passionate and eloquent witness for the prosecution.
As a summary of the Destiny phenomenon, it's okay. But there is much more to tell. Why does it enjoy such intense support, particularly among Maori women? What explains the appeal of Tamaki, a third-rate demagogue?
Only one member of the lay congregation was interviewed and he told us nothing except that he was inarticulate and rather confused. Film-maker Bell has turned away from his subject's real challenge and instead made an amusing, shallow film about a comedian investigating a social phenomenon.
Director: Peter Bell
Running time: 47 mins
Rating: M, contains violence and offensive language
Screening: Academy
