Do you like watching movies? Do you enjoy learning about other times and cultures? Do you like to discuss how art can reflect God and issues important to our faith? If so, pour your favorite beverage, grab a snack, and join in the fun of our Faith and Film discussion series. We meet the third Sunday of the month (dates below) from 6:30-8:00 pm.
These conversations are facilitated by the wonderful Doug Benson, retired K-State professor and church member. For the time being, we continue to meet over Zoom, but we look forward to the day when we are face to face again.
If you'd like to join us, email Mother Casey Rohleder for the Zoom link and pass code.
September 20: "The Struggle in the Fields” (1996) + two readings
PBS documentary on César Chávez, Dolores Huerta and the United Farm Workers’ five-year grape growers strike, 300-mile “pilgrimage” to the state capitol in Sacramento and nationwide grape boycott to achieve better working conditions for California farm workers.
October 18: "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" (2007) + one reading
Based on the 1970 best-seller by Dee Brown, an acclaimed HBO Western historical drama about the displacement of Native peoples in the 1860s and 1870s and the transition from their traditional ways of life to living on reservations. Golden Globe recipient.
November 15: "The Mission" (1986)
A British historical drama film about the experiences of Spanish Jesuit missionaries in 18th-century Paraguay who defended Guaraní Indians from Portuguese slavery. Starring Jeremy Irons, Aidan Quinn, Robert De Niro and Liam Neeson. Received the Oscar for cinematography and the Grand Prize at Cannes.
December 20: ¨Fatima¨ (2020)
A new English-language movie which dramatizes the apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1917 in the Portuguese town of Fátima to three children, who refuse to retract their account despite accusations by the village people of imagining things. Rich characterizations by the rising-star son of a famed Portuguese director and stunning cinematography. Should make an enjoyable discussion of faith and doubt for the Christmas season.
January 17: “A Hidden Life” (2019)
Terrence Malick’s award-winning vision of the true story of a World War II conscientious objector who refuses to serve in the German army, to swear allegiance to Hitler, or to respond in kind to the “Heil Hitler” greetings of passersby. Studies the costs of a nonviolent response to hate for individuals, families and communities. Based on the story of a Catholic priest in 1939.
February 21: “Burden” (2020)
Another new true-story film which depicts the struggle of a young man who grew up in the KKK in rural South Carolina to break free from its physical and psychological clutches, with the help of a young single mother he meets and a local Black pastor. Stunning performances by the two leads, and by Forest Whitaker of “The Last King of Scotland” about Idi Amin, for which he received the Oscar. A compelling follow-up to “A Hidden Life” with its depiction of Neo-Nazis and the consequences of nonviolence.
March 21: Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)
An existential comedy-drama written and directed by Woody Allen, who stars alongside Martin Landau, Mia Farrow, Anjelica Huston, Alan Alda, Jerry Orback and Sam Waterston. A man commits murder to cover up an affair, an act which has broad and often unsettling consequences and raises questions about a religious basis for ethics. Viewed partially through the lens of the main character’s imaginary conversations with his rabbi.
April 18: "Whale Rider" (2002)
Widely acclaimed New Zealand-German family drama based on the 1987 novel by Witi Ihimaera about Kahu Paikea Apirana (“Pai”), a twelve-year-old Maori girl who wants to become chief of the tribe in which she was raised, exploring a culture we know little about and a fresh look at gender roles and our expectations of film conventions.
May 16: "Shadowlands" (1993)
British biographical drama film about the unexpected autumnal relationship between academic bachelor C. S. Lewis (Anthony Hopkins) and divorced American poet Joy Davidman (Debra Winger). Her death from cancer challenges Lewis’s Christian faith and his previous ideas of suffering and pain as a way of preparing us to enter heaven, and probes how human love here on earth can illuminate both.
June 20: "Frozen II" (2019)
Set three years after the events of the first record-shattering computer-animated Disney musical film “Frozen,” the dazzling sequel follows Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven, who embark on a journey beyond their kingdom of Arendelle in order to discover the origin of Elsa’s magical powers and save their kingdom after a mysterious voice calls out to Elsa. Powerful presentation of sisterhood, empowerment, family stories, and doing the right thing - even when it is difficult.
July 18: "Heavens Above" (1963)
British satire of small-town life about a naïve but caring prison chaplain (Peter Sellers) who is accidentally assigned as vicar to a small and prosperous English country town, in place of an upper-class cleric with the same name who is supported by a family that operates a large factory and practically runs the town. The new vicar’s belief in charity and forgiveness sets him at odds with the locals, who believe themselves to be good Christian people. A wonderful summation of the Faith and Film series.
These conversations are facilitated by the wonderful Doug Benson, retired K-State professor and church member. For the time being, we continue to meet over Zoom, but we look forward to the day when we are face to face again.
If you'd like to join us, email Mother Casey Rohleder for the Zoom link and pass code.
September 20: "The Struggle in the Fields” (1996) + two readings
PBS documentary on César Chávez, Dolores Huerta and the United Farm Workers’ five-year grape growers strike, 300-mile “pilgrimage” to the state capitol in Sacramento and nationwide grape boycott to achieve better working conditions for California farm workers.
October 18: "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" (2007) + one reading
Based on the 1970 best-seller by Dee Brown, an acclaimed HBO Western historical drama about the displacement of Native peoples in the 1860s and 1870s and the transition from their traditional ways of life to living on reservations. Golden Globe recipient.
- Where to rent or buy this movie online: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/jai-enterre-mon-coeur-a-wounded-knee
- Reading:
November 15: "The Mission" (1986)
A British historical drama film about the experiences of Spanish Jesuit missionaries in 18th-century Paraguay who defended Guaraní Indians from Portuguese slavery. Starring Jeremy Irons, Aidan Quinn, Robert De Niro and Liam Neeson. Received the Oscar for cinematography and the Grand Prize at Cannes.
- Where to rent or buy this movie online: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-mission
December 20: ¨Fatima¨ (2020)
A new English-language movie which dramatizes the apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1917 in the Portuguese town of Fátima to three children, who refuse to retract their account despite accusations by the village people of imagining things. Rich characterizations by the rising-star son of a famed Portuguese director and stunning cinematography. Should make an enjoyable discussion of faith and doubt for the Christmas season.
- Where to rent or buy this movie online: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/fatima-2020www.justwatch.com/us/movie/fatima-2020
January 17: “A Hidden Life” (2019)
Terrence Malick’s award-winning vision of the true story of a World War II conscientious objector who refuses to serve in the German army, to swear allegiance to Hitler, or to respond in kind to the “Heil Hitler” greetings of passersby. Studies the costs of a nonviolent response to hate for individuals, families and communities. Based on the story of a Catholic priest in 1939.
- Where to rent or buy this movie online: https://www.justwatch.com/us/search?q=a%20hiddwww.justwatch.com/us/search?q=a%20hidd
February 21: “Burden” (2020)
Another new true-story film which depicts the struggle of a young man who grew up in the KKK in rural South Carolina to break free from its physical and psychological clutches, with the help of a young single mother he meets and a local Black pastor. Stunning performances by the two leads, and by Forest Whitaker of “The Last King of Scotland” about Idi Amin, for which he received the Oscar. A compelling follow-up to “A Hidden Life” with its depiction of Neo-Nazis and the consequences of nonviolence.
- Where to rent or buy this movie online: https://www.justwatch.com/us/search?q=a%20hidden%20life
March 21: Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)
An existential comedy-drama written and directed by Woody Allen, who stars alongside Martin Landau, Mia Farrow, Anjelica Huston, Alan Alda, Jerry Orback and Sam Waterston. A man commits murder to cover up an affair, an act which has broad and often unsettling consequences and raises questions about a religious basis for ethics. Viewed partially through the lens of the main character’s imaginary conversations with his rabbi.
- Where to rent or buy this movie online: Not available on streaming services
April 18: "Whale Rider" (2002)
Widely acclaimed New Zealand-German family drama based on the 1987 novel by Witi Ihimaera about Kahu Paikea Apirana (“Pai”), a twelve-year-old Maori girl who wants to become chief of the tribe in which she was raised, exploring a culture we know little about and a fresh look at gender roles and our expectations of film conventions.
- Where to rent or buy this movie online: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/whale-rider
May 16: "Shadowlands" (1993)
British biographical drama film about the unexpected autumnal relationship between academic bachelor C. S. Lewis (Anthony Hopkins) and divorced American poet Joy Davidman (Debra Winger). Her death from cancer challenges Lewis’s Christian faith and his previous ideas of suffering and pain as a way of preparing us to enter heaven, and probes how human love here on earth can illuminate both.
- Where to rent or buy this movie online: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/shadowlands
June 20: "Frozen II" (2019)
Set three years after the events of the first record-shattering computer-animated Disney musical film “Frozen,” the dazzling sequel follows Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven, who embark on a journey beyond their kingdom of Arendelle in order to discover the origin of Elsa’s magical powers and save their kingdom after a mysterious voice calls out to Elsa. Powerful presentation of sisterhood, empowerment, family stories, and doing the right thing - even when it is difficult.
- Where to rent or buy this movie online: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/frozen-ii
July 18: "Heavens Above" (1963)
British satire of small-town life about a naïve but caring prison chaplain (Peter Sellers) who is accidentally assigned as vicar to a small and prosperous English country town, in place of an upper-class cleric with the same name who is supported by a family that operates a large factory and practically runs the town. The new vicar’s belief in charity and forgiveness sets him at odds with the locals, who believe themselves to be good Christian people. A wonderful summation of the Faith and Film series.
- Where to rent or buy this movie online: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/heavens-above
