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"'Fervently Faith Like Potatoes'  Portrays Farmer's Vegetables Victoriously Blending Beliefs!"

By Kristen Agnew
Staff Writer

August 16, 2009

Faith Like Potatoes (2009)

Source: http://www.imdb.com.
The movie is rated PG for thematic content, incidents of trauma & injury, and the use of alcohol and cigarettes! The run time is 97 min.

Main Cast:
Frank Rautenbach - Angus Buchan
Jeanne Neilson - Jill Buchan
Sean Cameron Michael - Fergus Buchan
Hamilton Dlamini - Simeon

  Movie Trailer for  "Faith Like Potaotes" will start in few seconds! Click right mouse for  replay
 

RECOMENDATION:
I recommend "Faith Like Potatoes" to anyone who is craving a deeper film experience.

PLOT SYNOPSIS:
"Faith Like Potatoes" is the true story about a farmer named Angus (played by Frank Rautenbach) who decided to move his family from Zambia to South Africa. When he arrives there, the local people humorously compare him to an angry Italian worker and predict his farm will not last. Once a drought hits, he is forced to make a decision for his family's future that calls into question the practicality of faith in God.

PLOT REVIEW:
"Faith Like Potatoes" is an inspiring story set in Africa which has the potential to satisfy or to leave the viewer wanting more, depending on one's perspective.  The writers and producers did a good job treating the integration of Agnus and his family into African society. If anything, I wanted to read more about the life of Angus Buchan after watching it. Watch this true story unfold to witness the benefits and challenges of blind faith and how a strong-willed man develops character --rooted not just in time spent in the fields, but in a living Gospel that works miracles in everyday lives.

CONTENT REVIEW:
"Faith Like Potatoes" has thematic elements,  incidents of trauma & injury, and the use of alcohol, and cigarettes. It puts an emphasis on one's heritage and how it is used to connect with others. Apart from educating viewers on the life of farmers in 20th century South Africa, the movie's strongpoint is its spiritual component, as it traces the experience of main character Angus and his family as they struggle to survive amidst the economic, racial and emotional stresses that are inevitably part of the foreign farmer's life. It also addresses issues such as grief, family conflict, El Nino, mediocrity in the church, humanitarian work, culture clashes, and the transforming power of faith. Although the movie maintains a serious tone, humor is woven throughout.

WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THE MOVIE: (SPOILER ALERT)

1. ISSUE OF FARMING:
I particularly related to 'Faith Like Potatoes' because of my family's heritage and my experience growing up abroad. Both my parents descended from farming families-- one of my Grandfathers even grew potatoes, and I heard stories about what it was like.

2. ISSUE OF CULTURE CLASHES:
My time growing up in the politically-tumultuous country Haiti presented similar challenges to Angus's family's experience, in how we interacted with the local culture, attempted to overcome language barriers, and overcome  job-related stress of my dad.

3. ISSUE OF FAITH:
Just like the movie, 'Faith Like Potatoes', my mom once shared a story about how potatoes came to symbolize God's provision in her life. After my family moved back the United States from Haiti, they were praying about finances and, I imagine, other basic life needs that concerned them. One day our neighbor brought us a bag of potatoes, and my mom was overjoyed because she had just read an email about God providing potatoes for people in need. Her joy and trust in God during that time remains in my memory.

I was recently reminded of God's provision and what he did for my family, when Josh, my boyfriend gave me a box of potatoes, as part of a scavenger hunt, to celebrate our biblical relationship of two years. He said he wanted his love to be substantial, not just fading like a bouquet of flowers though he gave me those too! The gift of potatoes is multifaceted because of how many things can be cooked with them. We agreed that potatoes rot- but the potatoes he gave me lasted longer than the flowers endured, as my housemates in my apartment incorporated them into several meals past the end of June.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER:

1. Is 'Faith Like Potatoes' a weak attempt to add Christian sustenance to Hollywood?

2.  Could the living Gospel do the same in your life and mine?

Kristen Agnew is a graduate student at Duquesne University and a cell group leader of Living Acts which is part of Oakland International Fellowship, the English congregation for Pittsburgh Chinese Church-Oakland! 

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