Thus, sayeth the Lord!

Who knew my first screen role would be none other than the Almighty? Yes, I got cast in a principal role in a short film in which I played God. I am not God, of course, and neither can I know what God thinks and feels. The film is called Divine Punishment. It had its first screening at the Kino Ottawa Film Festival recently. It was a challenging role; every role is, for that matter. The plot concerns three bored angels who misbehave, partying with fallen angels in "the restricted zone." Though they were confident they would not get caught, their heavenly father confronted them with evidence of their naughty antics the day after, sanctioned them, and then offered them a second chance. The movie is a comedy, divine; it had the feel of a Harold Pinter sketch.

I took on the character of the Almighty as a just and wise father, slow to anger and quick to forgive. That is well within my character type. But, as I said, I have no experience to draw on to play God. However, though I have no children, I have nine nieces and nephews and seven grand nieces and nephews. I am a part of their lives. I saw my nieces and nephews grow up and have their children. Also, I was the children's librarian in a public library in the 1990s. I have enough experience with children and young adults to understand they need discipline and guidance as they grow up. As God, I was the just and wise father who chastised three of his children when they tested him with their errant behaviour. Though he was quick to forgive, he added that if they did not correct their behaviour, they risked expulsion from the heavenly realm. I mastered the character by taking it on and making it my own.