Arts+Culture / IncomingPlanet MollywoodFilmmaker Danielle Levitt presents the first in trilogy of films dedicated to Salt Lake City's Mormon film industry, and here talks us through her impressions and expectations of her time in MollywoodShareLink copied ✔️April 19, 2011Arts+CultureIncomingFilm Danielle Levitt Text Danielle Levitt Planet Mollywood I arrived in Salt Lake City with my assistant Rafael. I've never spent any time in SLC and wasn't sure quite what to expect. I have had limited interactions with practicing Mormons and my understanding of their culture and traditions was vaguely formed by watching a TV series called 'Big Love'. Growing up in Los Angeles, my knowledge of the Mormon faith was restricted to their history with polygamy (made illegal by the church hundreds of years ago, but still); former American Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who had to address the nation to explain his faith; the break-out low budget comedy Napoleon Dynamite who's director and lead actor are both Mormons; Prop 8, the anti-gay marriage bill, and the HUGE church in L.A. on Santa Monica Boulevard that only practicing Mormons could enter - the rest of us would have to stand hundreds of yards downhill and view the church on a sidewalk and through gates. And although it has been historically secretive, upon meeting our subjects, we were generously welcomed and taught about Mollywood (Mormon Cinema) and some Later Day Saints teaching. The city itself is beautiful, so isolated, surrounded by an incredible landscape of mountains, marshlands and mudflats. As it was told to me, Joseph Smith - founder of the LDS Church - lead his congregation as far from populated as he could. Prior to this pilgrimage, Smith had been trying to set up a North American Zion, and had been brutalised in their settlements by locals that did not agree with his teachings. Smith led his people to what is now Utah, as a means to escape persecution, finding a place so isolated that they could practice as they pleased. See the new issue of Dazed & Confused for the full story Escape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.TrendingKylie Minogue on her pop legacy and partying with Jonathan AndersonExclusive: We sit down with the Australian pop icon to chat personal style, Fever at 25, and her starring role in JW Anderson’s latest campaignFashionBeautyNude awakening: Meet the young people embracing naturismOakley FashionGoing ‘field mode’ with Roger ScottLife & Culture‘She was secretly the landlord’: Readers on their housemate horror storiesBeauty10 of the hottest Instagram accounts fusing art, sex and eroticaMusicN0rth4evr: Every track on North West’s new EP, rankedLife & Culture9 of the best new books to read this springLife & Culture‘Chat was my backbone’: People are now using AI for awkward conversationsLife & CultureThe case for wiping your Instagram gridEscape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy