Is a Film Christian if There is No Christ?

[BlaznFattyz]

What exactly makes a Christian film?

That was one of the questions addressed during two seminars at the National Religious Broadcasters’ (NRB) National Convention, the largest nationally and internationally recognized event dedicated solely to assist those in the field of Christian communications.

The two seminars at this weekend’s annual event also discussed how film is involved in Christianity and how films are supposed to impact society.

The speakers at each of the sessions had fairly opposite takes on what needs to be in a Christian film and whether a film is Christian if it does not talk specifically about Christ...

Cont'd

[pfw]

Lord Of The Rings, The Lion The Witch & The Wardrobe, City Of Angels, Fallen, Dogma... Analogy, symbolism, parable...

[wil]

Yeah, I think my answer is 'duh'.

honey and vinegar....

[Silas]

I saw the worse movie ever, once. It was called "the gospel of Judas" where Jesus was portrayed by a blond guy with blue eyes, and he was the only person with clean clothes on (he had white robs while everyone else looked like they played in mud). It was so weird, he looked like a sufer. In fact, I think he had on sufer beeds? Anway, it was sooooo far from the Bible. Its like the Bible was here <--- and the story line was all the way ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> here. Judas made Jesus give him the holy spirt after explaining to Jesus that they need to beat up the Romans and take power. Jesus was like "no Judas, I cant until my father said I can," and Judas was like "are you crazy Jesus? You must give us your power now that we might kill the Romans and raise to power." Next thing you know, they cut the scene and then they showed Jesus trembling uncontrolable in a room (he looked like he was having a fit), and he was giving "power" to the 12 disciples. This movie came out around the time of "the passion of the christ" and I guess NBC was trying to make a lot of money, thinking Christians would watch it. The movied sucked so bad and I dont think NBC showed it since?

What were they thinking?

[Thomas]

For the contemplative, there's a film out called "Into The Great Silence":
Into Great Silence

There's a review below, but Jesus doesn't star in the film, so I guess that's out, too.

"Nestled deep in the postcard-perfect French Alps, the Grande Chartreuse is considered one of the world’s most ascetic monasteries. In 1984, German filmmaker Philip Gröning wrote to the Carthusian order for permission to make a documentary about them. They said they would get back to him. Sixteen years later, they were ready. Gröning, sans crew or artificial lighting, lived in the monks’ quarters for six months—filming their daily prayers, tasks, rituals and rare outdoor excursions. This transcendent, closely observed film seeks to embody a monastery, rather than simply depict one—it has no score, no voiceover and no archival footage. What remains is stunningly elemental: time, space and light. One of the most mesmerizing and poetic chronicles of spirituality ever created, INTO GREAT SILENCE dissolves the border between screen and audience with a total immersion into the hush of monastic life. More meditation than documentary, it’s a rare, transformative theatrical experience for all."
Zeitgeist Films | Into Great Silence

I'm going to see it for my birthday! What kind of guy celebrates his birthday by sitting in the dark for three hours, watching a silent movie?

Thomas

[InLove]

Enjoy your birthday, Thomas (whenever it is). I can totally relate.

I suggest a matinee on a weekday when the theatre is virtually empty. Love it!

InPeace,
InLove

[wil]

Namaste Thomas,

I must be dense....I cannot traverse their site to find out where the film is playng or how to by the DVD....Into Great Silence.

[Thomas]

Pax Wil –

It's not you, they do seem somewhat obtuse.

The film is playing only in a couple of theatres here in the UK, although 1 in London until the 7th March – my birthday is the 5th. I was just about to post a link to UK theatres ... but you're in the US so not much help there.

Not sure about the DVD either – I don't think there's a version out yet ...

Thomas

[wil]

Won't be in my area till the end of March, found US listings here

[Thomas]

Maybe I'll pop over to you then ...

There's a Video Artist we really like – Bill Viola ... (oh, this is spooky, but I'll get to that) ... who was having a 'world tour' - the USA and Amsterdam, so we flew to Holland for the weekend!
Welcome to the official BILL VIOLA website

***
The spooky bit is in reference to a piece called:
I Do Not Know What It Is I Am Like

A few years ago my sister, a sculptress, fell from a gantry and cracked open the back of her head. She walked into the kitchen of her house (gantry was outside) looking like something out of a slasher-movie, and her husband bundled her into the car and drove straight to the local hospital which, luckily for her, has the country's most advanced cranial injury unit ... all the way she kept turning to him and asking: "what is it you think that I've done?" ...

***

Talking of art, if you're into such stuff, another great guy is James Turrell
Art:21 . James Turrell . Biography . Documentary Film | PBS

BTW ... I've initiated a discussion on the Philosophy Board under the title of 'The Role of the Body' which I think will pick up some of the ideas we've been discussing.

Thomas

[Thomas]

Hi InLove –

I know! Quiet ... lights down ... relax ... engage ... be taken somewhere else ...

I remember watching '2001 - A Space Oddessy' at a local 'flea-pit' when it came out, and I was a lot younger. Too young to be stoned, which was how you're supposed to watch it, apparently, but I enjoyed it all the same.

I recall a nearly-empty cinema, and when the lights went up, there was a little mouse about three seats along, eating something ...

I also recall watching 'Easy Rider' in much the same circumstances, and when the lights went up there was a young man trying to comfort his girlfriend, who was in floods of tears ...

... hey-ho ... distant days ... oh, sorry, wandered off-topic. Apologies, Mr B.

Thomas

[pfw]

Originally Posted by Thomas

I remember watching '2001 - A Space Oddessy' at a local 'flea-pit' when it came out, and I was a lot younger. Too young to be stoned, which was how you're supposed to watch it, apparently, but I enjoyed it all the same.



... hey-ho ... distant days ... oh, sorry, wandered off-topic. Apologies, Mr B.

Thomas

Ah, 2001-never watched it stoned (or under the influence of anything stronger than tea) and It's my favourite film. Might come under the remit of this thread as well-as it certainly has more than a hint of spiritual quest about it (esp if you know about A.C.Clarke).

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by Thomas

Pax Wil –

It's not you, they do seem somewhat obtuse.

The film is playing only in a couple of theatres here in the UK, although 1 in London until the 7th March – my birthday is the 5th. I was just about to post a link to UK theatres ... but you're in the US so not much help there.

Not sure about the DVD either – I don't think there's a version out yet ...

Thomas

Hah, mine is the 6th

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by BlaznFattyz

What exactly makes a Christian film?

That was one of the questions addressed during two seminars at the National Religious Broadcasters’ (NRB) National Convention, the largest nationally and internationally recognized event dedicated solely to assist those in the field of Christian communications.

The two seminars at this weekend’s annual event also discussed how film is involved in Christianity and how films are supposed to impact society.

The speakers at each of the sessions had fairly opposite takes on what needs to be in a Christian film and whether a film is Christian if it does not talk specifically about Christ...

Cont'd

I'd like to point out something. In "music" if it is a Gospel song or something to do with Christian bands (repetition of Jesus is Lord over and over again), I immediately change the channel. But if it is a - I don't know - country song for example, telling a story about a woman losing control on an icy highway with a baby in the back seat, and alot on her mind, or a little girl hiding behind a sofa while mom and dad kill eachother, or a simple man dreaming he stood before the pearly gates wondering how they could possibly let him in...and they all hint at Jesus as the hero, but never say His name...then I am so wrapped into the songs I can't get them out of my head for the rest of the day.

I think the best Christian movies and music are the subtle ones, not the in your face ones. Just like God...

I can think of quite a few (films):

Ice Age
Flika
If you could see what I hear
2001
2010
The Guardian
Star Wars
It's my life
ET
Always
Jurasic Park
The Piano
Major League
The Fourth Magi
The replacements
...

[wil]

Originally Posted by Quahom1

I think the best Christian movies and music are the subtle ones, not the in your face ones. Just like God...

Can I get an AMEN!

I feel the exact same way about witnessing...

honey and vinegar...oh yeah, already said that..