Comments on: Religion in Film – A List of Films for the Religious Studies Classroom http://www.filmwell.org/2010/02/17/religion-in-film-a-list-of-films-for-the-religious-studies-classroom/ Is This a Film Blog? Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:49:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Religion in Texts « READINGPOWER http://www.filmwell.org/2010/02/17/religion-in-film-a-list-of-films-for-the-religious-studies-classroom/comment-page-1/#comment-1927 Religion in Texts « READINGPOWER Sat, 28 Aug 2010 01:37:14 +0000 http://www.filmwell.org/?p=5187#comment-1927 [...] Movies – A list of films for the religion studies classroom http://www.filmwell.org/2010/02/17/religion-in-film-a-list-of-films-for-the-religious-studies-classr... Book – My name is Asher Lev Book – Jacob Have I Loved” by Katherine Paterson Book – 100 [...] [...] Movies – A list of films for the religion studies classroom http://www.filmwell.org/2010/02/17/religion-in-film-a-list-of-films-for-the-religious-studies-classr... Book – My name is Asher Lev Book – Jacob Have I Loved” by Katherine Paterson Book – 100 [...]

]]> By: M. Leary http://www.filmwell.org/2010/02/17/religion-in-film-a-list-of-films-for-the-religious-studies-classroom/comment-page-1/#comment-1916 M. Leary Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:11:18 +0000 http://www.filmwell.org/?p=5187#comment-1916 As much as I don't like the film, I heartily agree that Avatar should be on this list. I did find the film an interesting exercise in the world-building component involved with religious expression. The film in essence required a team of people to create a religion from scratch, and I think we can learn a lot about how people conceive of religion by reverse engineering that process. Great suggestion, thanks. As much as I don’t like the film, I heartily agree that Avatar should be on this list. I did find the film an interesting exercise in the world-building component involved with religious expression. The film in essence required a team of people to create a religion from scratch, and I think we can learn a lot about how people conceive of religion by reverse engineering that process.

Great suggestion, thanks.

]]> By: Laura http://www.filmwell.org/2010/02/17/religion-in-film-a-list-of-films-for-the-religious-studies-classroom/comment-page-1/#comment-1915 Laura Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:14:17 +0000 http://www.filmwell.org/?p=5187#comment-1915 "Australia" might be an interesting choice, given that it ultimately suggests that the entire story, including all the wartime events it depicts, were sung into being by the liminal (half) aboriginal boy Nullah. And "Avatar" could be useful from a number of angles: exploring the religion of "Deep Ecology" and the Romantic religion of Nature, or Euro-American ideas of indigenous "nature religions." “Australia” might be an interesting choice, given that it ultimately suggests that the entire story, including all the wartime events it depicts, were sung into being by the liminal (half) aboriginal boy Nullah.

And “Avatar” could be useful from a number of angles: exploring the religion of “Deep Ecology” and the Romantic religion of Nature, or Euro-American ideas of indigenous “nature religions.”

]]> By: Ron Reed http://www.filmwell.org/2010/02/17/religion-in-film-a-list-of-films-for-the-religious-studies-classroom/comment-page-1/#comment-1770 Ron Reed Tue, 18 May 2010 06:11:27 +0000 http://www.filmwell.org/?p=5187#comment-1770 Post on Jewish films: http://www.filmwell.org/2010/05/16/25-essential-jewish-movies-bangitout-com/ Post on Jewish films: http://www.filmwell.org/2010/05/16/25-essential-jewish-movies-bangitout-com/

]]> By: Ashley http://www.filmwell.org/2010/02/17/religion-in-film-a-list-of-films-for-the-religious-studies-classroom/comment-page-1/#comment-1733 Ashley Thu, 29 Apr 2010 03:40:18 +0000 http://www.filmwell.org/?p=5187#comment-1733 Hello! I ran across this list while doing research for my Honors Thesis in Religious Studies. I am looking into evidence of spirituality/religiousness in contemporary film and literature - this list gave me some great ideas. I was wondering if you have any more I could look into; possibly less obvious, even antithetical options that would provide an interesting argument for my project? I would appreciate any help, from anyone with some ideas! Many thanks! Hello! I ran across this list while doing research for my Honors Thesis in Religious Studies. I am looking into evidence of spirituality/religiousness in contemporary film and literature – this list gave me some great ideas. I was wondering if you have any more I could look into; possibly less obvious, even antithetical options that would provide an interesting argument for my project? I would appreciate any help, from anyone with some ideas! Many thanks!

]]> By: News Story :: The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri http://www.filmwell.org/2010/02/17/religion-in-film-a-list-of-films-for-the-religious-studies-classroom/comment-page-1/#comment-1619 News Story :: The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:07:25 +0000 http://www.filmwell.org/?p=5187#comment-1619 [...] Religion in Film – A List of Films for the Religious Studies Classroom [...] [...] Religion in Film – A List of Films for the Religious Studies Classroom [...]

]]> By: Aron Campisano http://www.filmwell.org/2010/02/17/religion-in-film-a-list-of-films-for-the-religious-studies-classroom/comment-page-1/#comment-1578 Aron Campisano Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:26:13 +0000 http://www.filmwell.org/?p=5187#comment-1578 I recently completed a microbudget feature called The Master Plan which is about teen evangelical Christianity in the L.A. suburbs. The limited response thus far has been all over the place, but I've found many people to be very passionate about the movie, and it's been reviewing well. It's NOT a Christian genre film! Streaming and iPod downloads of the entire movie are available here: http://www.alchemistic.com/themasterplan/ I'd love to know what you thought of it. Personally, my favorite on the list is A Taste of Cherry, but I'm a Tarkovsky nut, too. - Aron I recently completed a microbudget feature called The Master Plan which is about teen evangelical Christianity in the L.A. suburbs. The limited response thus far has been all over the place, but I’ve found many people to be very passionate about the movie, and it’s been reviewing well.

It’s NOT a Christian genre film! Streaming and iPod downloads of the entire movie are available here:

http://www.alchemistic.com/themasterplan/

I’d love to know what you thought of it. Personally, my favorite on the list is A Taste of Cherry, but I’m a Tarkovsky nut, too.

- Aron

]]> By: Anthony DiStefano http://www.filmwell.org/2010/02/17/religion-in-film-a-list-of-films-for-the-religious-studies-classroom/comment-page-1/#comment-1577 Anthony DiStefano Fri, 26 Feb 2010 02:36:07 +0000 http://www.filmwell.org/?p=5187#comment-1577 "Whale Rider" is an interesting film that looks at some of the cultural & religious traditions of the South Pacific islands, & how a tribal community's identity & fidelity to those tradition is threatened by family tragedy. “Whale Rider” is an interesting film that looks at some of the cultural & religious traditions of the South Pacific islands, & how a tribal community’s identity & fidelity to those tradition is threatened by family tragedy.

]]> By: M. Leary http://www.filmwell.org/2010/02/17/religion-in-film-a-list-of-films-for-the-religious-studies-classroom/comment-page-1/#comment-1572 M. Leary Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:12:16 +0000 http://www.filmwell.org/?p=5187#comment-1572 Great suggestions, Andrew. I haven't seen Last Dance or Silence, and look forward to tracking them down. The suggestions here in the comments have been a very helpful contribution to the list. Tsai's What Time is It There? and Face were suggested elsewhere. Great suggestions, Andrew. I haven’t seen Last Dance or Silence, and look forward to tracking them down. The suggestions here in the comments have been a very helpful contribution to the list.

Tsai’s What Time is It There? and Face were suggested elsewhere.

]]> By: Andrew http://www.filmwell.org/2010/02/17/religion-in-film-a-list-of-films-for-the-religious-studies-classroom/comment-page-1/#comment-1570 Andrew Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:35:24 +0000 http://www.filmwell.org/?p=5187#comment-1570 What a fantastic list! Thank you, M. Leary, for your endeavors. Just a couple of comments I might add: - Regarding Kurosawa, his late films became increasingly overt in their religious grapplings. Both 'Ran' and 'Kagemusha' have at least a degree of Buddhist religious context (the latter even has a scene that intimates at Roman Catholic efforts to introduce Christianity into Japan). Using your standards, I'd surmise that his later film 'Rhapsody in August' is the most religious of his films, suffused with Buddhist ideas and with a moving depiction of a devout survivor of Nagasaki participating in a memorial ceremony on the anniversary of the bombing. His final film 'Madadayo' significantly quotes from 'Hojoki,' a classic Japanese Buddhist writing from the 13th Century. - I think I've mentioned this film here previously, but Juzo Itami (of 'Tampopo' fame) made a fascinating film late in his life entitled 'Daibyonin (Last Dance)' with significant overtly Buddhist elements - I hate to say too much about it and spoil the surprises it contains. - There actually is a film version of Endo's 'Silence' directed by Masahiro Shinoda, who co-wrote the screenplay with Endo himself. It's available on DVD, thanks to the fine people at Masters of Cinema. What a fantastic list! Thank you, M. Leary, for your endeavors.

Just a couple of comments I might add:

- Regarding Kurosawa, his late films became increasingly overt in their religious grapplings. Both ‘Ran’ and ‘Kagemusha’ have at least a degree of Buddhist religious context (the latter even has a scene that intimates at Roman Catholic efforts to introduce Christianity into Japan). Using your standards, I’d surmise that his later film ‘Rhapsody in August’ is the most religious of his films, suffused with Buddhist ideas and with a moving depiction of a devout survivor of Nagasaki participating in a memorial ceremony on the anniversary of the bombing. His final film ‘Madadayo’ significantly quotes from ‘Hojoki,’ a classic Japanese Buddhist writing from the 13th Century.

- I think I’ve mentioned this film here previously, but Juzo Itami (of ‘Tampopo’ fame) made a fascinating film late in his life entitled ‘Daibyonin (Last Dance)’ with significant overtly Buddhist elements – I hate to say too much about it and spoil the surprises it contains.

- There actually is a film version of Endo’s ‘Silence’ directed by Masahiro Shinoda, who co-wrote the screenplay with Endo himself. It’s available on DVD, thanks to the fine people at Masters of Cinema.

]]>