Putting the Fun into Fundamental
First shown on Channel 4 in December 2004
Channel 4's five-part series, Putting the Fun into Fundamental, uses a mix of humour and face-to-face interviews to explore one of humankind's oldest desires: to make contact with God. Presenter Elliott Gerner (the one with the suitcase, pictured with director Andy Lee) travels around the world meeting different religious groups, from Christian fundamentalists in America's Bible Belt to an obscure Hindu goddess in India, from whirling dervishes in Turkey to religious soccer fans in Brazil. He even contacts a group of antisemites who use the internet to spread their poisonous ideas.
Gerner himself is Jewish and he makes a point of putting his own identity on the line, specifically asking what these varied groups have to offer Jews. He is provocative and in-your-face but at the same time empathetic – he allows religious extremists to speak for themselves and describe their beliefs in detail.
By focusing on individuals who speak frankly about their own personal experiences of being 'born again', of seeking redemption, or of being cursed, the series highlights the human idiosyncrasies of belief and puts flesh on the bones of theology and doctrine. Gerner’s buoyant personality and quizzical approach also put a fair amount of fun into finding out about fundamentalism.
Episode 3: Kicking the Devil's Balls
Episode 4: Watching Jew, Watching Me
