Nicole Barnette is a filmmaker on the move, and the direction she is going is straight up. I just finished watching Fourteen, her short film that is making the rounds of film festivals and getting rave reviews, and I have to join in with the others.

It’s stunning.

In seven short minutes, she takes the viewer out of their easy chair and into the horrible world of fundamental polygamy. And there is no dialogue to move this film along, but just vignettes of a teenager’s life, glimpses of the emotions of a doting mother, touches of what it feels like to be a teenager on your birthday. Normal things.

The she tips the normal world upside down.

Fourteen should be required viewing for every person who has ever thought, “Well, yeah, those polygamists are really weird, but they have nothing to do with me.” Mormn or otherwise. EVERYONE should see this film.

They should screen it at every session of the Utah Legislature and force our lawmakers to realize the horrible crimes being perpetrated on women, children, and even the “lost boys” who are thrown out of their towns and torn from their families, all in the name of religion.

Fourteen should also be screened at every Mormon wardhouse, in every Utah town. Polygamy got its start with Joseph Smith, the “prophet” that Mormons follow.

“Those people have nothing to do with us,” cannot be the mantra any longer.

If we were to go point by point over Joseph Smith’s teachings, we would find that the fundamentalists like Warren Jeffs are living Mormonism the way Smith taught it.

It’s time for the LDS hierarchy to step up to the plate and admit that truth.

This film will be available for sale, beginning next week, on the site www.fourteenfilm.com. I’ll post a reminder when it gets closer. And now, Nicole has agreed to answer a few questions for me.

I asked Nicole about giving away the theme, because I felt like it needed to be done here, on Trapped, and this was her answer.

“The theme is hard to talk about without giving away the ending. What I usually say to people is “It is the story of a fourteen year old girl on a momentous day in her life”. But, seeing that your blog is called “Trapped by the Mormons” I think it is safe to say that anyone reading this blog will most definitely be interested…even the people reading it who disagree with your blog - should see FOURTEEN.”

How did you get involved in this project? Who had the original concept?

I read the book UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN by Jon Krakauer. It was so profoundly disturbing the idea of this religious fundamentalism that it stuck with me. Renee Ridgeley, the writer, is a friend and I told her she should read the book because she might be interested in the subject. A few months later I saw her at a party and she said “I have an idea for a short film.” That was pretty much it. We made it a month later.

Did you have any contact with fundamental polygamists that led you to make this film?

Oh, no. Renee and I, separately, did a lot of research. I mostly did a lot of research online. Read a few books… The fundamentalists really scare me — I am torn between feeling sorry for them and then being angry that they do the horrific things they do “In the name of God”…those poor girls and women…and boys. What they are doing to those young boys “The Lost Boys” they call them…really just sad.

I’ve heard excellent reviews of this film, and have to agree with all of them. It was just visually stunning and the impact was incredible. The music was great, the dialogue. How do you feel about its impact, and do you think it is making a difference in how people look at polygamy?

Well, I don’t know if it makes a difference. But, since they arrested Warren Jeffs we have gotten into a lot of festivals. I think the biggest thing that people learn is that this really happens. Although, it is fiction, it shows people that this is still something that goes on in this country. We pride ourselves on being a democratic country and wanting to spread democracy throughout the middle east, which means equal rights for women, but we allow women and young girls to be basically forced into these marriages, against their will, and it is just sad and really disturbing. That and I seem to get into a lot of heated discussions with Mormons who think that I am spreading the idea that polygamy=the Mormons. Which, as I am FULLY aware that polygamy was outlawed by the Mormons in the late 1800’s, but, it was started by Joseph Smith, their prophet. Isn’t that funny how I can get that across when I use no dialogue in the film? The word Mormon is never mentioned in the film… People read into things what they want to see…this is the world we live in.

What’s up next for you?

I am working on a feature film. Nothing to do with Mormons or fundamentalists — but with the dark side of suburbia. I seem to be drawn to things that lurk beneath the surface.

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Thanks, Nicole, for visiting with us here on Trapped. Make sure to get a copy of Nicole’s incredible film.

I do.

Like millions of others today, I am looking back on September 11, 2001, a day I woke up, and took my children to school.

The day was normal. What would breakfast be? What arguments about clothes would I hear? What would the “fit” of the day be?

After all those normal things were finished, I sat down to write at my computer. And then my husband called me. Said, “Turn on the TV. The World Trade Center is under attack.”

I watched in horror, with the rest of the nation and our nation’s sympathizers, as the World Trade Center fell. I watched the endless newscasts. I cried on end. I fought the desire to drive to the school and pull my children out, and hide them away from this horrible world.

I called my mom, who was getting ready to depart on a Mormon mission to Switzerland, and said, “Mom, turn on the television. The World Trade Center has been attacked.”

“In Switzerland?” she said, horror filling her voice. I guess you can tell where HER head was.

“No, Mom, the World Trade Center in New York. America is under attack.”

It would soon hit home for her, hard. The truth would be undeniable. Her visiting teacher, a member of her ward, a woman who had sat in her living room just DAYS before, had been on American Airlines Flight 11, the first plane to slam into the trade center.

Her name was Mary Alice Wahlstrom.

For months after the attack on America, flags flew at halfmast, and I could not drive by one without tearing up.

Do you remember? I do. I will never forget.

This is honor of all the victims of 9/11. Godspeed.

I just watched the Jay Leno segment with the Utah woman who recovered her purse from a thief. Betty Horton was charming, cute, and reminded me of my grandmother. I could see Ethel Collins giving the same tongue-lashing and then compassion that Betty gave to the thief.

Here’s the story, from the Deseret News.

I’ve heard it many different ways, of course, but the bottom line is Betty stood up for herself. She took charge. She was empowered. I have no idea whether or not Betty is Mormon, but frankly, I don’t care.

I was impressed with her story, and the way she handled the situation.

You go, Betty. More power to you.

The LDS Church recently posted an “interview” with Elder Dallin H. Oaks, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church, and Elder Lance B. Wickman, a member of the Seventy. The “interview” was performed by a member of the Church’s public affairs staff, who remains unnamed throughout the “interview.”

The subject? The Church’s stance on same-sex marriage.

I wanted to read it and be angry, but it just made me sad. I have friends who are gay–in particular, my friend Suzy–but I’ve never believed my heterosexuality made me better than anyone else. However, I’ve LONG been aware it sure as hell has made my life easier. In fact, I’ve read stories of suicide attempts, and marriages destroyed by the revelation that one of the spouses was gay, and realized that I really have it easy. I’m married to a man–a strange creature, to be sure. But society does not frown on this relationship. Despite the fact he has an affinity for duct tape, NASCAR, and thinks the ability to clear a room with one fart is a fine art. Surely this should be some egregious sin? I suppose, if you take out the “ine” a fart is, indeed, fine art. I, on the other hand, need a gas mask on certain evenings. Women are not so amused by bodily functions. And much more fun when it comes time to shop. And when I feel the need to cry, they just GET it. I have, at times, cursed my heterosexuality because it seems that it would be easier to be partnered with someone who understands when you say, “Wouldn’t a mani-pedi just make this whole evening better?”

Have you ever listened to Melissa Etheridge or kd lang sing? I’m telling you, those girls have the CORNER on passion. A constant craving? Wow. They must know something they are not telling us straight girls, and it is pissing me off. I think we are getting shortchanged, but you can’t change your sexuality. Right?

Back to the Church interview. In short, the two leaders basically said they don’t believe homosexuals make an active choice to be attracted to someone of their own gender; they don’t advocate programs that try to “change” the sexual orientation; that in fact, homosexuality is a “challenge” that a person faces.

This is definitely an about face from years past, when they even engaged in shock therapy down at BYU, trying to cure homosexuals of their “depraved” attraction.

I would like to think it’s a step forward, progress, but truly, is it?

Let’s examine the Church position.

1. Homosexuality is not a choice. The member did not choose this affliction.
2. Homosexuality cannot be changed.
3. Homosexuality will never be accepted by God or the Church.
4. Homosexuality is a challenge, and in fact is a handicap.
5. Parents cannot condone a gay child’s behavior.

In other words, the only life a homosexual–someone who did not choose this orientation and cannot change it–is one of lonely celibacy and service to the LDS Church. If they should choose to act on these “inclinations,” they are sinning “abominably” and will never, ever, ever, be accepted. Not by the Church. Not by their parents. Not by God. Even if the child is in a monogamous homosexual relationship.

One of the true joys of life comes from relationships. These, of course, are not all sexual, but for a church that DEFINES itself by the institution of MARRIAGE–and you certainly can’t say that the LDS Church does NOT, since they ESPOUSE MARRIAGE ABOVE ALL ELSE–to say that certain people are doomed to a lonely, solitary life, without marriage, is nothing less than horribly cruel.

The LDS Church, as we discussed before, DOES teach polygamy as a tenet, and still believes it will be practiced in the Celestial Kingdom. Several of its authorities are practicing “spiritual polygamy” even as we speak. A man can have a lot of wives. Women cannot. Have wives, of course. But also lots of husbands. That’s something that is reserved for STRAIGHT, WHITE, HETEROSEXUAL MEN.

That’s the only real norm for Mormons. Yes, yes, I know they did away with that whole ban on blacks holding the priesthood, but that doesn’t make it go away.

Discrimination and racism issues aside, where does this leave gay people? Pretty much out in the cold. You cannot marry, you cannot seek relationships with those you are attracted to, you cannot seek relationships with those you aren’t attracted to because it isn’t fair to them. But you can serve the Lord. And then go home to your house or apartment, feed your animals, and thank that same Lord for making you GAY and thereby sentencing you to a lifetime of loneliness. Because did God not create EVERY human?

God is supposed to be love. Where did that get lost along the way?

Things have just gotten so busy around here that I’ve had to drop out of the GCC Tour, but I wanted to post these last two final tourmates. So, please welcome Stephanie Lehmann, author of You Could Do Better, and Ellen Meister, author of Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA. And below, find their answers to the Trapped questions. Make sure to visit their Web sites. Both books sound fascinating!

First, Stephanie’s answers:

1. If you had to be “Trapped” somewhere, where would it be?

I would like to be trapped in a restaurant. Hopefully they will still be serving food. And they will have a good dessert menu.

2. If you could pick your “Trapped” companions, what three people would you want with you, and why?

My mom, my husband, and my two kids. (Can they count as one? I can’t possibly choose.)

3. If you could only pick five books to be “Trapped” with, what would they be?

Middlemarch, Of Human Bondage, Fear of Flying, The Portable Dorothy Parker, The Complete Works of Shakespeare

4. What ONE famous person would you absolutely NOT want to be “Trapped” with?

Larry David

5. You can bring three things from your “former” life to “Trapped.” What would those three things be?

My laptop. (I presume recharger is included). My reading glasses. Backup reading glasses.

6. Where is one place you absolutely would NOT want to be “Trapped.”

A poetry reading by Jewel.

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And now, Ellen’s answers:

1. If you had to be “Trapped” somewhere, where would it be?

On an tropical island with George Clooney.

2. If you could pick your “Trapped” companions, what three people would you want with you, and why?

George Clooney, an obsequious boyservant, my agent (with a cellphone, of course).

3. If you could only pick five books to be “Trapped” with, what would they be?

“Empire Falls” by Richard Russo, “Nine Stories” by J.D. Salinger, “Revolutionary Road” by Richard Yates, “How to Survive on Cocoanuts and Other Gilligan’s Island Tricks” by Russell Johnson, “The Kama Sutra.”

4. What ONE famous person would you absolutely NOT want to be “Trapped” with?

Ann Coulter.

5. You can bring three things from your “former” life to “Trapped.” What would those three things be?

I guess I’m supposed to say my kids, right?

6. Where is one place you absolutely would NOT want to be “Trapped.”

Rikers.