New LDS film ‘Once I Was a Beehive’ comes to east Idaho theaters

IDAHO FALLS — A heart-warming comedy whose director says it stands out from the typical Mormon film is coming to town.

“Once I was Beehive” is set to premiere Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Edwards Theater in Idaho Falls, and then moving down to Fat Cats in Rexburg. Director Maclain Nelson from the “Sartov Approach” and his wife and actress Clare Niederpruem, will be attending the screening.

The movie centers around 16-year-old Lane Speer (Paris Warner), who is struggling to cope with her father’s death. Her mother (Amy Biedel) marries a Mormon man (Brett Merritt), which opens up a new world for the teenager. While the parents are on the honeymoon, Lane gets to join her new step-cousin Phoebe (Mila Smith) on a Bible-themed young women’s camping trip. Through this comedic, faith-based film the girls learn about faith, hope and unity.

Nelson says the first goal of the film was to deliver high quality entertainment. He describes it as being, “like ‘The Sandlot,’ but with girls.”

Following the screening, Nelson and his wife will hold a meet-and-greet and talking to the audience about the concepts of faith in the film.

“We’ll both be there to answer questions and talk about the multi-faith background of the film and how the message of it is really about focusing on the similarities and what (Mormons) have in common with other faiths,” Nelson said.

He goes on to say that it isn’t just an inside film for those who are religious, and that it can be for anyone.

“(The audience) will completely understand all of the jokes and all of the humor, because it’s kind of filtered through the eyes of this non-member girl,” he said.

When seemingly strange moments happen in the film ,the main character’s inner voice kicks-in and speaks to the audience, drawing them into her perspective.

Nelson calls “Once I Was a Beehive” one of the highest-rated Latter-day Saint films in a decade. The Salt Lake Tribune, and Salt Lake City Weekly have written positive reviews of the film, giving it 3.5 out of 4 stars.

“It’s genuinely impressive how few missteps (Nelson) makes,” said Scott Renshaw of Salt Lake City Weekly. “Guiding a charming cast of young actors to appealing performances; addressing grief with sensitivity but no mawkishness; delivering comic relief that rarely degenerates into head-smacking slapstick.”

“Once I Was a Beehive” debuts at Edwards Theater, Wednesday, Sept. 9, and is scheduled to be shown for a week. It will be shown at FatCats in Rexburg on Friday, Sept. 18.