Producer of new 'Benji' movie touts faith as reason for making film

Published: 2004-08-17

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Is it possible that lovable movie mutt Benji is back after 17 years? It's not some shaggy dog story. Joe Camp, producer of the first three "Benji" movies, is touting his Christian credentials in hopes of scoring, on a smaller scale, a Mel Gibson-like independent success with the latest in the "Benji" franchise, "Benji Off the Leash," which opens in theaters Aug. 20. "So many times I said, 'Benji can't change the world, God. Even you are having trouble doing that. Christ changed it once, but that was a long time ago,'" Camp said in a statement to parents to help promote the movie. "'Hang on,' said God. 'Keep your eyes and ears open.' And along came Mel Gibson. Once again, Christ changed the world." Camp, who was raised Presbyterian, never wore his faith on his sleeve in the heyday of "Benji." But now, he's happy to do so, he said in a telephone interview with Catholic News Service from Atlanta. "It was about time I took Christianity and my working life and shuffled the deck together," Camp said. Even before, though, he added, "God's always been a part of the process."

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