Zig Zag Secures C4 Commission

LONDON, October 31: Zig Zag Productions has been
commissioned by Channel 4 to produce the two-hour documentary God Gave Rock
and Roll to You, exploring how popular
music has been influenced by Christianity.

Using examples such as John Lennon, Madonna, Kanye West and
Bob Dylan, the film looks at how musicians have struggled with their religious
beliefs. Aaqil Ahmed, Channel 4’s commissioning editor for religion, commented,
“Exploring the relationship between popular culture and religion is something
we want to do more of. It’s important to reflect on this complex and
long-running relationship before jumping head first into the current debate
about artistic freedom and religious sensibility. This film stands back from a
lot of the present paranoia and gives a rounded view on how religion has
interacted with pop music.”

This is Zig Zag’s second commission from Ahmed’s religion
department at Channel 4. The first was The Passion, charting the evolution of religious-themed
Hollywood films. Zig Zag is working on a U.S. version of The Passion for The History Channel that will air in December.