   |
|
 DVD: The Donnie McClurkin Story: From Darkness to Light
—Producer David Foster Anyone who has become acquainted with the ministry of Donnie McClurkin, knows at least a little bit of his testimony. He's certainly not afraid to tell it.  With the release of the DVD documentary, The Donnie McClurkin Story: From Darkness to Light, there is now no excuse not to know. Authorized by McClurkin himself, the 97-minute film examines in detail the sometimes tragic, sometimes joyous, and ultimately hope-filled history of one of Gospel music's biggest names.Set in the format of a standard documentary, McClurkin narrates the feature, taking the viewer into his life story, introducing them to family, friends, and the situations which framed his past —and which God continues to use for His glory. Director Stephanie Frederic deftly cuts away to interview segments with several members of McClurkin's family (mother, father, sisters), as well as with those who share insight, such as Pastor Marvin L. Winans, CeCe Winans, Rev. Milton Biggham, Kelly Price,  David Foster, Kirk Franklin, Andrae Crouch, Beyonce Knowles, Steve Harvey, Magic Johnson, Bishop T.D. Jakes and several others.The story begins in Amityville, New York, where McClurkin was born. McClurkin describes his happy childhood, which was shattered at the age of 8 by the death of his younger 2-year old brother, which lead to a downward spiral of family circumstances, culminating in violence, sexual abuse, drugs and despair. As McClurkin puts it, the horror in Amityville was the situation in his own home. From there, McClurkin details the awkwardness of his teenage years, his long battle with the feelings of homosexuality that stemmed from the abuse he suffered as a boy, and his search for solace in church, and in Gospel music.  McClurkin explains how his meeting with Andrae Crouch, and his subsequent encounter with The Winans, and Pastor Marvin L. Winans in particular, were the people and the events that God used to begin the healing process. Winans' recollections and testimonies are especially interesting.From there to The Benny Cummings Singers, to Broadway, to Perfecting Church in Detroit, back to New York to start up the NY Restoration Choir, the unusual circumstances surrounding McClurkin's signing to Warner Brothers and then on to Verity Records for Live in London and ..Again, through to Hopeville and back to pastoring his own church in Long Island, NY, the story unfolds. McClurkin's honesty and transparency are what makes this documentary compulsory viewing. This is no standard music big-shot biopic —no bling-bling glorification, no rags-to-riches gloss-over. This is all about the power of Jesus Christ, and His promise to "make all things new". What an incredible and awe-inspiring testimony of God's promise to turn even the darkest of circumstances into good. Image Entertainment, Inc. with FGW/Light Rock Productions — review by Stan North —
All content in GospelFlava © copyright 2004. No information to be reprinted or re-broadcast from this site without the expressed written consent of GospelFlava.com. All rights reserved. |
            
|