Experiencing Interruptions?

The West Church

During an archaeological dig of 2,000-year-old ruins in the Jordanian town of Umm el-Jimal, local experts, American archaeologists, and university students work to secure the community’s future by discovering its past.

  • Andrew Deters
    Director
  • Abigail VanDoorne
    Director
  • Abigail VanDoorne
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 16 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 5, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    2,200 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    Jordan
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Calvin University
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • FREEP Film Festival
    Detroit, MI
    United States
    April 28, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Calvin University Film & Media Showcase
    Grand Rapids, MI
    United States
    December 7, 2022
    North American Premiere
Director Biography - Andrew Deters, Abigail VanDoorne

ANDREW DETERS is a documentary cinematographer from Grand Rapids, MI. When he isn't working on film projects and photography, he works as a bartender & barista and plays guitar in an alt-rock band. With a BA in Film Production from Calvin University, Andrew is always eager to share impactful stories and create memorable art.

ABIGAIL VANDOORNE is a Calvin University film student from Gig Harbor, WA. You can often find her writing, reading, or playing Dungeons & Dragons. Abi loves unique and inspiring stories, and hopes to share them in fiction books & film.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Places are important to us. Your childhood home, the church your grandparents got married in, your dog’s favorite park – all these places have significance because of the memories attached to them. We don’t often think of places, even historically significant ones, as having any sort of bearing on the future. But for this community in rural Jordan, the past of their town may actually ensure its future.
For fifty years, American archaeologists and Jordanian locals have been equal partners in the excavation of Umm al-Jimal – a kind of relationship that has not been seen anywhere else in the world. Historically, the discipline of archaeology has been rooted in imperialism and colonialism, completely removing local people from the archaeological process. Since its inception in 1972, the Umm al-Jimal Archaeological Project has endeavored to excavate the site with an equal focus on scientific discipline and community involvement, and its 50-year record makes it the longest-standing project of its kind in the world.
Umm el-Jimal is currently under consideration for UNESCO World Heritage status, which means increased funding, improved preservation efforts, and increased tourism - a huge economic driver for the local community.
The West Church is a drop in the bucket compared to all the work that has been done by the people of Umm el-Jimal. But it is our hope that this film serves as a testament to the beautiful community that has made such an impact on us.