Art House | Panic in ‘The Pulpit’

Some films just feel more real than others. That’s the reaction evoked by “The Pulpit: Prelude.”

The short film written and directed by Tosin Morohunfola, who grew up in Kansas, tracks growing tensions as a progressive pastor provokes entrenched religious extremists in a small rural community.

“There are pastors, especially progressive leaders, in rural communities who are dealing with a lot of threats against them and their congregations just based on the message they are preaching, based on how inclusive they are being,” Morohunfola said.

“The Pulpit: Prelude,” which has already been honored on the festival circuit, is designed as a teaser for what Morohunfola plans to turn into a full-length feature film.

“I’m always trying to tell stories about advocating for the marginalized,” Morohunfola. “This is a perfect union of my aesthetic and my artistic mission with a story that is based on true life and desperately needs to be told.” 

To learn more about Morohunfola’s work on both sides of the camera, watch the attached video.

John McGrath is a video producer and host of Art House for Kansas City PBS.