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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: Films for church film groups
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Percy B
Shipmate
# 17238
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Posted
I read somewhere that Derby diocese recommends certain films as a means of stimulating discussion about religion and faith.
A friend was talking to me about this kind of thing because he is thinking about starting a film group in his parish.
He said he wouldn't want the latest blockbuster - as they would probably have been seen, and anyway couldn't be got by DVD.
No he has in mind films that inspire or prompt thought, that are not over violent or scary. That may be on religious themes or at least raise such themes, and, of course be available on DVD.
Some serious, some light hearted.
Any suggestions? And not to just have a list of names, but reasons why would be good as well.
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Mary, a priest??
Posts: 582 | From: Nudrug | Registered: Jul 2012
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Kelly Alves
Bunny with an axe
# 2522
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Posted
Gotta see The Big Kahuna(1999)
An indie film with most of the activity taking place in a hotel suite with three characters on a sales convention-- Two seasoned salesmen who are old friends (Kevin Spacey, and Danny DeVito at his best) and a young fresh hire who just happens to be an evangelical Christian.(Peter Facinelli)
The late Kenwritez insisted this film should be required viewing in youth groups. Mostly this had to do with the conflict between the evangelical character and his colleagues, and one fantastic speech about character delivered beautifully by DeVito toward the end of the film. That speech alone is worth it all.
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I cannot expect people to believe “
Jesus loves me, this I know” of they don’t believe “Kelly loves me, this I know.”
Kelly Alves, somewhere around 2003.
Posts: 35076 | From: Pura Californiana | Registered: Mar 2002
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Lyda*Rose
Ship's broken porthole
# 4544
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Posted
Percy B: quote:
... that are not over violent or scary...
Pity. There goes Dogma.
I love this film. ![[Tear]](graemlins/tear.gif) ![[Snigger]](graemlins/snigger.gif)
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"Dear God, whose name I do not know - thank you for my life. I forgot how BIG... thank you. Thank you for my life." ~from Joe Vs the Volcano
Posts: 21377 | From: CA | Registered: May 2003
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Eutychus
From the edge
# 3081
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Posted
I'll note that one down, Kelly.
This looks like a good place to do another plug for The Apostle.
Pentecostal preacher ends up re-planting a church whilst on the run from the law. Allegedly described by Billy Graham as one of the best non-christian films about christian subculture, and plenty to discuss.
Another more provocative favourite of mine about christian subculture is Saved!, but you'd probably want to watch that one first as it might well upset some church members. I find my feelings when watching it are a good barometer for my own faith.
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Let's remember that we are to build the Kingdom of God, not drive people away - pastor Frank Pomeroy
Posts: 17944 | From: 528491 | Registered: Jul 2002
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Kelly Alves
Bunny with an axe
# 2522
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Posted
I'm gonna put in a plug for a crazy little indie film called "Household Saints" (you might guess I'm kind of an indie nut.)
Stars the ever-wonderful Lili Taylor as a devout Catholic girl, who, when thwarted from her heart's desire of becoming a nun by her parents, finds a way to live the devout life in every day ways. She also develops a huge crush on Jesus. I'm not kidding. It works, trust me.
As weird as it may sound, it is a joyous exploration of application of the methods of St. Therese-- the sacrament of the every day, the way one serves God by serving the people around them, and how even ironing shirts (or having sex) becomes an act of devotion.
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I cannot expect people to believe “
Jesus loves me, this I know” of they don’t believe “Kelly loves me, this I know.”
Kelly Alves, somewhere around 2003.
Posts: 35076 | From: Pura Californiana | Registered: Mar 2002
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
I very much enjoyed 'Doubt' - what choices do people make when in positions of responsibility (and how do they deal with the aftermath when they are not sure if they have made the right choice?).
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Retired, sitting back and watching others for a change.
Posts: 34626 | From: Cream Tealand | Registered: Jun 2001
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ArachnidinElmet
Shipmate
# 17346
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Posted
The year I went to Greenbelt they showed Priest . A cracking film, but the plot hinges on a priest's gay relationship and the sexual abuse of one of his parishoners by her father, so it's not the Sound of Music. Apparently making it made writer Jimmy McGovern come back to the church though, so food for thought.
The year before, Greenbelt showed Pulp Fiction, which may be a bit of a stretch.
For something a bit chirpier: Keeping the Faith
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'If a pleasant, straight-forward life is not possible then one must try to wriggle through by subtle manoeuvres' - Kafka
Posts: 1887 | From: the rhubarb triangle | Registered: Sep 2012
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Percy B
Shipmate
# 17238
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Posted
Thanks for the Bible Society site Leo. It is helpful but I also feel it lacks something- maybe it's the more arty film that isn't on there or classic things like Babettes Feast.
However, it is a great help.
Priest is a good one. It's years since I watched it, as I remember it also raised issues of priestly celibacy and traditional v. Liberal in Catholicism. In fact a book full of issues!
I do like the suggestion of the Indie films - especially as they are less likely to have been widely viewed.
I watched Kinky Boots a few months ago with a group of Christians and it raised a good discussion afterwards.
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Mary, a priest??
Posts: 582 | From: Nudrug | Registered: Jul 2012
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Hilda of Whitby
Shipmate
# 7341
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
I read somewhere that Derby diocese recommends certain films as a means of stimulating discussion about religion and faith.
A friend was talking to me about this kind of thing because he is thinking about starting a film group in his parish.
He said he wouldn't want the latest blockbuster - as they would probably have been seen, and anyway couldn't be got by DVD.
No he has in mind films that inspire or prompt thought, that are not over violent or scary. That may be on religious themes or at least raise such themes, and, of course be available on DVD.
Some serious, some light hearted.
Any suggestions? And not to just have a list of names, but reasons why would be good as well.
The Way. It stars Martin Sheen and was directed by his son, Emilio Estevez. It's about a Type A medical doctor (Sheen) whose son (Estevez) is killed in an accident in Spain when just about to start the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Sheen decides to go in his son's place. He's a crusty, arrogant, stand-offish man who falls in with some other pilgrims along the way and over the course of the pilgrimage he changes considerably. It's quite touching and the scenery is lovely. The film was a labor of love for both star and director. I liked it very much.
In this house of Brede. Film version starring Diana Rigg of the novel by Rumer Godden. It's about a woman who leaves a high powered prestigious job in a government ministry to become a nun in a Benedictine monastery. While not as good as the book, it was worth watching. Diana Rigg was very well cast. The book, BTW, is terrific.
[ 18. December 2012, 23:19: Message edited by: Hilda of Whitby ]
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"Born with the gift of laughter and a sense that the world is mad."
Posts: 412 | From: Nickel City | Registered: Jun 2004
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Jengie jon
Semper Reformanda
# 273
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Posted
I doubt it will encourage discussion, but it might work on a very different level. That is the file Into Great Silence. It really is a mini retreat in itself.
Jengie
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"To violate a persons ability to distinguish fact from fantasy is the epistemological equivalent of rape." Noretta Koertge
Back to my blog
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Pyx_e
Quixotic Tilter
# 57
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Posted
Also, how much does it cost to get permission to show films in church? (and how do you go about it?)
Ta, Pyx_e
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It is better to be Kind than right.
Posts: 9778 | From: The Dark Tower | Registered: May 2001
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Albertus
Shipmate
# 13356
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Eutychus:
I'll note that one down, Kelly.
This looks like a good place to do another plug for The Apostle.
Pentecostal preacher ends up re-planting a church whilst on the run from the law. Allegedly described by Billy Graham as one of the best non-christian films about christian subculture, and plenty to discuss.
...
Yes, I was going to suggest that one. I saw it when it first came out and although I've never seen it since, it made a deep impression on me. Some very strong themes there of vocation and redemption. In fact, I'd say it was only a non-Christian film insofar as it wasn't made by Christians with a Christian purpose.
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My beard is a testament to my masculinity and virility, and demonstrates that I am a real man. Trouble is, bits of quiche sometimes get caught in it.
Posts: 6498 | From: Y Sowth | Registered: Jan 2008
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Alex Cockell
Ship’s penguin
# 7487
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Pyx_e:
Also, how much does it cost to get permission to show films in church? (and how do you go about it?)
Ta, Pyx_e
In the UK, CCLI have this option available - the Church Video Licence.
Here you go - http://www.ccli.co.uk/licences/churches_showing-entire-films.cfm
http://www.ccli.co.uk/licences/churches_playing-music.cfm
Looks like you'd need a Church Video Licence, a PRS Music for Churches Licence , and PPL Church Licence to be aboveboard. There is also a list of studios that your content has to be from - as they are signatories to the blanket deal.
I think one of the stipulations is you can't charge for it...
Posts: 2146 | From: Reading, Berkshire UK | Registered: Jun 2004
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Stetson
Shipmate
# 9597
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Kelly Alves:
Gotta see The Big Kahuna(1999)
An indie film with most of the activity taking place in a hotel suite with three characters on a sales convention-- Two seasoned salesmen who are old friends (Kevin Spacey, and Danny DeVito at his best) and a young fresh hire who just happens to be an evangelical Christian.(Peter Facinelli)
The late Kenwritez insisted this film should be required viewing in youth groups. Mostly this had to do with the conflict between the evangelical character and his colleagues, and one fantastic speech about character delivered beautifully by DeVito toward the end of the film. That speech alone is worth it all.
Wow, that's the first film that came to my mind, and I was gonna post about it before I saw your entry.
POSSIBLE JOKE SPOILER
I love the scene where the Christian guy gets assigned bartending duties, and he starts fantasizing about handing out the drinks right and left like an old pro, all the while shouting "JESUS SAVES"!!
Then, they cut to the actual party later on, and he's poring over a recipe book, struggling to figure out how to make a simple drink. It pretty much encapsulated my entire experience at learning new processes.
Posts: 6574 | From: back and forth between bible belts | Registered: Jun 2005
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Hawk
Semi-social raptor
# 14289
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Pyx_e:
Also, how much does it cost to get permission to show films in church? (and how do you go about it?)
Ta, Pyx_e
This is the one we use, from CCLI. It doesn't say how much it is on the website, but if you get in touch with them they can give a quote I think. It gives a blanket licence for a list of distributors. Unfortunately a lot of indie and foreign distributors aren't on it but it's got a good number.
in terms of films to show, it depends whether you're primarily doing it for Christians, or for a wider audience. I always think its best not to be too explicitly Christian in the films shown, otherwise it curtails discussion a bit.
Films we've shown are:
True Grit: A little violence and olde-time swearing, but it prompted one of our best discussions, about redemption, forgiveness and vengeance. The Coen Brothers are genius' as well so any excuse to watch somethingby them.
The Hunger Games: Again a bit of violence, and quite shocking for some people as it's about teenagers fighting to the death. But prompts very good discussion.
The Iron Lady: Surprisingly balanced portrait of Thatcher, neither lauding or castigating her. Primarily not a biopic about Thatcher at all, but about the nature of power, of the loss of power, and about delaing with old age and dementia.
Another Earth: Excellent, but slow burning film about coping with personal tragedy. Lots of lingering washed-out shots and haunting notes. Uncomfortable in it's realism (despite being sci-fi). But very good and thoughtful perspective on ourselves and the meaning of life.
The Lovely Bones: A child who was murdered by a neighbour looks down from heaven as her family tries to cope with their grief. Difficult but beautiful in its depiction of the afterlife, and the ending especially presents good points for discussion about the nature of natural justice.
Another Year: Superb kitchen sink drama from Mike Leigh. Any of Mike Leigh's work would be good to show, (Happy-Go-Lucky especially) as its a clautrophobically realistic portrait of ordinar people and their small but very personal struggles.
Crazy Heart/The Wrestler: Very similar films about a washed up star still stumbling through their routines despite it being bad for them, and needing to sort their lives out. The Wrestler is my faviorite, though has a bit of violence in the ring.
Little Miss Sunshine: Absolutely superb portrait of a dysfunctional, though sweetly loving family. You could talk about it all night as well. Its got themes of suicide, child beauty pageants, drug taking, self-help writing, and overall the tension between being happy and being a winner - and what that even means.
The Grey: Unfortunately not covered by our licence so I can't show it. But I really wish I could. A pack of wolves hunts a group of alaskan oil workers through the forest after their plane crashes. Its an amazing study of the will to survive, to facing ones own certain death, and the existence or not of God in the harshest places.
Hope these help.
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“We are to find God in what we know, not in what we don't know." Dietrich Bonhoeffer
See my blog for 'interesting' thoughts
Posts: 1739 | From: Oxford, UK | Registered: Nov 2008
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fletcher christian
Mutinous Seadog
# 13919
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Posted
It probably depends on what themes you want to draw out and how you use the film (which can sometimes be different from the intent of the maker), but a few good ones might be:
Dead Man Walking - film about a nun who befriends a man on death row. A fairly strong argument against the death penalty without ever shirking on the horror of what he did. A couple of unpleasant scenes though.
The Straight Story - a kind of morality play about reconciliation; it has one particularly good scene on the nature of spontaneous confession and absolution near the end - right before he does what he travelled all the way to do.
The Gospel According To Saint Matthew - a socialist Gospel that doesn't try to explain or reduce the miracles of Jesus.
The original blockbuster Spiderman is essentially a dressed up morality tale about the nature of personal responsibility.
Not One Less - a Chinese film that reworks the parable of the lost sheep while at the same time showing the deep inequality of Chinese society between the cities and the rural areas. It cleverly paints the rural areas of China as the lost sheep nobody wants to find, with references to Kafka.
Eyes Wide Shut - a surprisingly moralistic turn on sexual ethics by a master. Has lots of sex scenes though.
...just to name a few
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'God is love insaturable, love impossible to describe'
Staretz Silouan
Posts: 5235 | From: a prefecture | Registered: Jul 2008
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Stetson
Shipmate
# 9597
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Posted
quote:
The Gospel According To Saint Matthew - a socialist Gospel that doesn't try to explain or reduce the miracles of Jesus.
And for a companion piece, you can show Pasolini's Salo, as a cautinary tale on the dangers of abandoning Christian morality in favour of carnal excess!
(No, don't.)
Posts: 6574 | From: back and forth between bible belts | Registered: Jun 2005
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Stetson
Shipmate
# 9597
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Posted
On a more serious note, if your audience is open-minded enough, I'd recommend Hail Mary. It got a lot of negative press from conservative Catholics at the time of its release, based(I think) on a misunderstanding of what the film was doing. But it actually makes a rather charming case for a religious worldview.
The audience should be prepped, however, not to expect a straightfoward narrative. By Godard's usual standards, the film is an exercise in clarity and coherency, but even here he manages to throw in a subplot that, on the surface, has no connection whatsoever with the main story.
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I have the power...Lucifer is lord!
Posts: 6574 | From: back and forth between bible belts | Registered: Jun 2005
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Percy B
Shipmate
# 17238
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Posted
Wow thanks for the suggestions so far. So helpful, so kind ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Length is an important factor. I suspect 90minutes is a good length if discussion is to follow. Longer makes it a long evening.
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Mary, a priest??
Posts: 582 | From: Nudrug | Registered: Jul 2012
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HCH
Shipmate
# 14313
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Posted
I know of two films in which there are highly memorable prayers. One is "Shenandoah" (1965) and the other is "Drums Along the Mohawk: (1939). I can't promise the rest of either film is suitable, though I am fond of both.
Posts: 1540 | From: Illinois, USA | Registered: Nov 2008
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Percy B
Shipmate
# 17238
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Posted
You know it is not always easy to get these films.
I was interested in Hail Mary! But goodness it's £75 on amazon.
How do you get these more obscure DVDs to borrow!
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Mary, a priest??
Posts: 582 | From: Nudrug | Registered: Jul 2012
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Ariel
Shipmate
# 58
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Posted
Have you tried Lovefilm? They seem to have a lot to rent.
Posts: 25445 | Registered: May 2001
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Percy B
Shipmate
# 17238
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Posted
Yes I know of them.
Hail Mary is not in their list though.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
[ 19. December 2012, 22:50: Message edited by: Percy B ]
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Mary, a priest??
Posts: 582 | From: Nudrug | Registered: Jul 2012
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Spike
Mostly Harmless
# 36
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Posted
A seemingly forgotten and (at the time) underrated film was Jesus of Montreal from 1989. It's in Canadian French with subtitles. As the linked review says, the actors performing the "unorthodox" passion play find their own lives mirroring the Passion, and they highlight the hypocrisy of the church and society.
None of the characters is particularly religious. In fact, one earns his living doing voiceovers for porno movies!
There are a few scenes I particularly remember.
The actor playing Jesus smashes up a TV studio, reminiscent of Jesus in the Temple.
A theatrical agent spots the same actor and there is a scene from the top of a huge skyscraper overlooking the city and the agent saying something along the lines of "give up all that religious stuff, come and work with me and all this will be yours"
The most moving part is after the "Jesus" actor dies and his organs are donated, thus giving life to others.
All in all, a very thought provoking film that could generate very interesting discussion.
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"May you get to heaven before the devil knows you're dead" - Irish blessing
Posts: 12860 | From: The Valley of Crocuses | Registered: May 2001
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Cottontail
Shipmate
# 12234
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Posted
I asked a similar question of the Ship a couple of years ago, and got some very helpful suggestions. One of the gentlest and best (which couldn't offend anyone) turned out to be The Straight Story. It is a richly beautiful film, with themes of forgiveness and reconciliation, and the journey to get there. It went down really well with my church, and especially with the older people.
I also second The Way, and a similarly titled - though much 'tougher' film - The Way Back. In the face of terrible human suffering, it is about the saving power of kindness and the desire for freedom. I plan to use it over Lent this year to reflect on themes of wilderness wandering and testing.
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"I don't think you ought to read so much theology," said Lord Peter. "It has a brutalizing influence."
Posts: 2377 | From: Scotland | Registered: Jan 2007
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Stetson
Shipmate
# 9597
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Posted
Good recommendation on Jesus Of Montreal, Spike.
quote:
None of the characters is particularly religious. In fact, one earns his living doing voiceovers for porno movies!
(JOKE SPOILER)
Heh heh. I remember he's distracted by eating a donut during the voiceover sessions, and reads the wrong actor's lines. They tell him it doesn't matter.
Posts: 6574 | From: back and forth between bible belts | Registered: Jun 2005
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TurquoiseTastic
Fish of a different color
# 8978
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Posted
I remember seeing Jesus of Montreal as a teenager (about 20 years ago now!). Agree with the recommendation.
Possibly a cliche but how about "The Truman Show"? Lots of thought-provoking material on what we choose to believe and why, and what a quest for truth might involve...
Posts: 1092 | From: Hants., UK | Registered: Jan 2005
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Pulsator Organorum Ineptus
Shipmate
# 2515
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
None of the characters is particularly religious. In fact, one earns his living doing voiceovers for porno movies!
Porno movies have voiceovers? Not the ones I've, err, been told about.
Posts: 695 | From: Bronteland | Registered: Mar 2002
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geroff
Shipmate
# 3882
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Posted
Thanks for the recomendation, Kelly, The Big Kahuna is now on my wish list.
I like the recomendations of Babettes Feast and Into Great Silence - the two most soporific films I have ever seen ![[Snore]](graemlins/snore.gif) - at least something happens in Into Great Silence at about 1 hr in,if I remember rightly.
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"The first principle in science is to invent something nice to look at and then decide what it can do." Rowland Emett 1906-1990
Posts: 1172 | From: Montgomeryshire, Wales | Registered: Jan 2003
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Kelly Alves
Bunny with an axe
# 2522
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by geroff:
at least something happens in Into Great Silence at about 1 hr in,if I remember rightly.
**** BIG STOMPIN' SPOILER!****
One of the monks breaks silence to start chattering to a pack of feral cats. It's fantastic. Especially the look on his face when it hits him what he's done.
The thing I loved about that film is that it wasn't silent, not at all. The monastery is rich with sounds, just not that of voices.
I tend to be a lot more comfortable with "slow paced" films than most folk, though.
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I cannot expect people to believe “
Jesus loves me, this I know” of they don’t believe “Kelly loves me, this I know.”
Kelly Alves, somewhere around 2003.
Posts: 35076 | From: Pura Californiana | Registered: Mar 2002
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Eutychus
From the edge
# 3081
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Posted
Another vote for Jesus of Montreal here, if only for the Québecois accent ![[Biased]](wink.gif)
quote:
Originally posted by Kelly Alves:
**** BIG STOMPIN' SPOILER!****
One of the monks breaks silence to start chattering to a pack of feral cats. It's fantastic. Especially the look on his face when it hits him what he's done.
I don't remember that at all. Perhaps they edited it out of the French version as being too shocking?
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Let's remember that we are to build the Kingdom of God, not drive people away - pastor Frank Pomeroy
Posts: 17944 | From: 528491 | Registered: Jul 2002
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Banner Lady
Ship's Ensign
# 10505
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Posted
One of the most conversation provoking films I've seen is a French film called Angel A.
From the riveting but emotionally revolting opening it challenges the way the viewer thinks about God, divine intervention, supernatural beings, worth and worthlessness, suicide, prostitution, criminal behaviour and assumptions about behaviour.
Definitely NOT for the younger members of a youth group. But for a young adults night it would be a real goer.
You'd probably have to look in the Foreign Film section for it, but I recommend trying to see it if you can.
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Women in the church are not a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be enjoyed.
Posts: 7080 | From: Canberra Australia | Registered: Oct 2005
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Kelly Alves
Bunny with an axe
# 2522
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Eutychus:
Another vote for Jesus of Montreal here, if only for the Québecois accent
quote:
Originally posted by Kelly Alves:
**** BIG STOMPIN' SPOILER!****
One of the monks breaks silence to start chattering to a pack of feral cats. It's fantastic. Especially the look on his face when it hits him what he's done.
I don't remember that at all. Perhaps they edited it out of the French version as being too shocking?
I wonder, because it was pretty flippin' memorable. He was up in an attic or hayloft or something feeding the cats and cooing at them, telling the camera operators the names he'd given the cats and other little details about them. Then he freezes in mid sentence and his face just goes white.
And we the crowd laughed heartily, because we are mean bastards.
(another memorable thing about seeing that film-- it was actually a Shipmeet-- was that some jackass brought in a cellophane package of caramel corn into the very small arthouse screening room and spent the first ten minutes of it chomping and crackling. SILENCE, you idiot! It's right in the title!)
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I cannot expect people to believe “
Jesus loves me, this I know” of they don’t believe “Kelly loves me, this I know.”
Kelly Alves, somewhere around 2003.
Posts: 35076 | From: Pura Californiana | Registered: Mar 2002
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Spike
Mostly Harmless
# 36
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Pulsator Organorum Ineptus:
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
None of the characters is particularly religious. In fact, one earns his living doing voiceovers for porno movies!
Porno movies have voiceovers? Not the ones I've, err, been told about.
Dubbed into another language then. That's the joke that Stetson referred to. The actor is reading the wrong part, but the director says "don't worry, nobody pays any attention to the words anyway"
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"May you get to heaven before the devil knows you're dead" - Irish blessing
Posts: 12860 | From: The Valley of Crocuses | Registered: May 2001
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womanspeak
Shipmate
# 15394
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Posted
Into Great Silence drove me crazy. Watching it during a BTh residential on Christian Spirituality drove me up the wall. I did appreciate the snow play scene as a respite, but it was a long time coming and I don't remember the cats!
I've been using films with primary aged children who are very media savvy these days during pupil free day missions.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ( Johnny Depp version) in the afternoon of a Generosity Day was enjoyed with impromptu chorus lines during the songs and led to great discussion.
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from the bush
Posts: 62 | From: rural australia | Registered: Jan 2010
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Eutychus
From the edge
# 3081
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Kelly Alves:
I wonder, because it was pretty flippin' memorable. He was up in an attic or hayloft or something feeding the cats and cooing at them, telling the camera operators the names he'd given the cats and other little details about them.
Ah, I remember now. But it didn't strike me as him breaking his vow of silence.
I've just realised I'll be going somewhere near that monastery in about a week's time. I wonder if I could stretch a look?
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Let's remember that we are to build the Kingdom of God, not drive people away - pastor Frank Pomeroy
Posts: 17944 | From: 528491 | Registered: Jul 2002
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Percy B
Shipmate
# 17238
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by womanspeak:
Into Great Silence drove me crazy. Watching it during a BTh residential on Christian Spirituality drove me up the wall. I did appreciate the snow play scene as a respite, but it was a long time coming and I don't remember the cats!
I've been using films with primary aged children who are very media savvy these days during pupil free day missions.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ( Johnny Depp version) in the afternoon of a Generosity Day was enjoyed with impromptu chorus lines during the songs and led to great discussion.
That's v interesting! Maybe we should have a children's film group in our churches.
Slightly more on topic, if I may, it seems one opinion is to take a familiar film and draw themes out, another is to take one less known but more overtly religious and explore it.
Babettes Feast involves a Danish sect and the small village context provides a good context to explore themes. I wondered if there are similar religious films set in sects or small village like communities, which raise bigger questions.
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Mary, a priest??
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Latchkey Kid
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If you don't mnd sub-titles then Monsieur Ibrahim
Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran, also known as Monsieur Ibrahim in English, is a 2003 French movie starring Omar Sharif, and directed by François Dupeyron. The movie is based on a book and a play by Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt.
Another one is The Band's visit
The Alexandria Ceremonial Police Orchestra, consisting of eight men, arrive in Israel from Egypt. They have been booked by an Arab cultural center in Petah Tiqva, but through a miscommunication (Arabic has no "p" sound, and regularly replaces it with "b"), the band takes a bus to Bet Hatikva, a fictional town in the middle of the Negev Desert.[5] There is no transportation out of the city that day, and there are no hotels for them to spend the night in. The band members dine at a small restaurant where the owner, Dina (Ronit Elkabetz) invites them to stay the night at her apartment, at her friends' apartment, and in the restaurant. That night challenges all of the characters.[6]
They both have a thought provoking human/spiritual dimension. Recommended if you are interested in inter-faith matters.
There are also a couple of movie review sites that I have bookmarked on another computer. One is called Past the Popcorn. I will have to find the browser for the other one.
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'You must never give way for an answer. An answer is always the stretch of road that's behind you. Only a question can point the way forward.'
Mika; in Hello? Is Anybody There?, Jostein Gaardner
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Ariel
Shipmate
# 58
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Latchkey Kid:
Another one is The Band's visit
The Alexandria Ceremonial Police Orchestra, consisting of eight men, arrive in Israel from Egypt. They have been booked by an Arab cultural center in Petah Tiqva, but through a miscommunication (Arabic has no "p" sound, and regularly replaces it with "b"), the band takes a bus to Bet Hatikva, a fictional town in the middle of the Negev Desert.[5] There is no transportation out of the city that day, and there are no hotels for them to spend the night in. The band members dine at a small restaurant where the owner, Dina (Ronit Elkabetz) invites them to stay the night at her apartment, at her friends' apartment, and in the restaurant. That night challenges all of the characters.[6]
Sorry Latchkey Kid but does that text come from another site? I'm guessing the [5] and [6] refer to notes that aren't reproduced, and we have to be careful about copyright. In this instance, could I ask you for an attribution (with link) please? Thanks!
Ariel
Heaven Host
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Kelly Alves
Bunny with an axe
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
That's v interesting! Maybe we should have a children's film group in our churches.
I think teaching kids the concept of applying critical thinking to films/ TV is excellent. And smart. And necessary.
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I cannot expect people to believe “
Jesus loves me, this I know” of they don’t believe “Kelly loves me, this I know.”
Kelly Alves, somewhere around 2003.
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The5thMary
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quote:
Originally posted by Lyda*Rose:
Percy B: quote:
... that are not over violent or scary...
Pity. There goes Dogma.
I love this film.
It's one of my favorite movies, too! So many great lines in it. AND Alanis Morissette as a VERY attractive God!
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God gave me my face but She let me pick my nose.
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The5thMary
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# 12953
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Kelly Alves:
I'm gonna put in a plug for a crazy little indie film called "Household Saints" (you might guess I'm kind of an indie nut.)
Stars the ever-wonderful Lili Taylor as a devout Catholic girl, who, when thwarted from her heart's desire of becoming a nun by her parents, finds a way to live the devout life in every day ways. She also develops a huge crush on Jesus. I'm not kidding. It works, trust me.
As weird as it may sound, it is a joyous exploration of application of the methods of St. Therese-- the sacrament of the every day, the way one serves God by serving the people around them, and how even ironing shirts (or having sex) becomes an act of devotion.
Oh, Lord! I LOVE this movie!! However, I cried and cried at the very end... you know what part I'm referring to, don't you, Kelly? What an amazing movie! And after I saw it, I dreamed God and I were playing a game of Scrabble... She didn't cheat!!
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God gave me my face but She let me pick my nose.
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Adam.
Like as the
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The Vatican put out a Film list in '95, which is not at all what some might guess (eg. it includes a Kubrick film).
My personal recommendations:
Saint Ralph: For a light-hearted look at how a boy's life changes when he starts to engage his faith, and the lives of those around him.
Au Revoir, Les Enfants: Probably the only French movie where the church comes out looking good. It's about a Catholic school which harbors Jews during WWII.
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Ave Crux, Spes Unica!
Preaching blog
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Adam.
Like as the
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Posted
And as soon as I hit reply, I thought of another:
Bajo La Misma Luna: The power of family, and a bit of social commentary on immigration to boot.
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Ave Crux, Spes Unica!
Preaching blog
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SvitlanaV2
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# 16967
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
Babettes Feast involves a Danish sect and the small village context provides a good context to explore themes. I wondered if there are similar religious films set in sects or small village like communities, which raise bigger questions.
'Oranges are not the only fruit'? The book version is based on an Elim Pentecostal congregation, which might seem sectarian to some. Interestingly, the Christian response to the film was rather muted, so I understand. There had been worries that religious groups would be vocal about their objection to the film.
Documentaries about aspects of church history would be constructive. My sense is that Christians in some denominations don't know know a lot about their origins. I once saw a fascinating film about the Asuza Street revival that led to the Pentecostal movement. Perhaps if a church group is going to watch 'Oranges are not the only fruit' (which is unlikely, to be honest!) it would be a good idea to watch something more positive as well, so they can compare and contrast.
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Stetson
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# 9597
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Danny Boyle's Millions. A charming morality play centred around the activities of a small boy in the Christmas season leading up to the UK dropping the pound for the euro. Numerous Catholic saints make their appearence, in typical Boylean fantasy sequences.
Two caveats...
1. The idea of Britain dropping the pound is probably even more implausible now than it was in 2004.
2. The film takes a rather negative attitude toward Mormons. Not that I'm an apologist for the LDS, but given that this is a British film, it's difficult to escape the suspicion that the writer was just going after a safe, suitably "foreign" target(as opposed to, say, hypocritical Anglicans or Catholics).
This is one time when I think a script could have benefitted from the usual device of having the theological bad guys being just "generic self-righteous Christians".
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ArachnidinElmet
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# 17346
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Hart:
The Vatican put out a Film list in '95, which is not at all what some might guess (eg. it includes a Kubrick film).
I had a quick look: The Mission! I'd forgotten the Mission. One of my favourite religious films. Jeremy Irons in outstanding form, scenery chewing from Robert de Niro, beautiful music. Perfect.
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'If a pleasant, straight-forward life is not possible then one must try to wriggle through by subtle manoeuvres' - Kafka
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