Christian Review Magazine Issue 3 - March 2015 | Page 22

MOVIE

REVIEW

N
Title:

ROADMAP GENESIS
Rating:

Written by:

Nolan Lebovitz
Directed by:

Nolan Lebovitz
Genre:

Drama
Running Time:

78 minutes

MPAA Rating:

Not Rated

Production Company:

Roadmap Genesis
Reviewed by:

Christian St John
Release Date:

Out Now : DVD
22 > CHRISTIAN REVIEW MAGAZINE

olan Lebovitz was an up and
coming filmmaker when he
decided to turn his back on
Hollywood and train to become a Jewish
Rabbi. His one feature credit was the
psychological thriller, Tortured. And even
though fame and fortune beckoned, he
came to the conclusion that his movies
were not making the world a better place.
So Nolan set out to try and change the
world for the better, and in 2012 he decided
to merge his two passions - movie making
and Bible study - and began working on a
documentary feature.
The finished film is entitled Roadmap
Genesis, a documentary that more than
suggests that the first book in The Bible is a
universal book intended for all people at all
times. The film’s basic premise is that the
book of Genesis contains all that we need
to turn society away from despair and
decline, and back towards a path that leads
to promise, prosperity, and
accomplishment. A tall order to be sure.
But when viewed not merely as a story, we
can begin to see that Genesis is in fact a
blueprint for all of life - society, money,

family, etc. Furthermore, when we closely
read and study Genesis we can also see
that it is not only foundational for the rest
of God’s Word, but also for all of life.
As a production, Roadmap Genesis is a
quality feature length documentary. On a
technical level it’s both well made and easy
to understand, always a good thing for a
Bible based documentary. There are a
couple of moments where I felt the film
was a little vague and disjointed, and there
could have been more life application
throughout. But overall this is a highly
educational and rewarding film.
Although Roadmap Genesis was produced,
written, and directed by a Jewish Rabbi,
there is still plenty a Christian viewer can
glean from this film. In fact, throughout the
film scholars from both Christian and
Jewish faith backgrounds are interviewed
and talk about the relevance of Genesis,
and The Bible in general, in today’s world.
Although Roadmap Genesis can be watched
by the individual, this is the kind of film that
would work really well in study group,
youth group, and church settings.