by Father Robert Lauder
In its opening weekend, “Son of God” took in $26.5 million, and the film’s opening success may stimulate discussion among filmmakers and among those of us who view films.
“Son of God” has set me thinking about how great films might be used to educate people, not only about the nature and importance of film but also about topics such as the meaning of freedom, the meaning of love and even the meaning and mystery of God. Viewing great films can benefit us intellectually, emotionally, psychologically and even spiritually.
I can say that “Son of God” is a very good film. Some of it is visually beautiful. I think the camera work and scenery are superior to what we see in most films. One interesting technique that the director uses to involve us in the action is to keep the camera very close to the actors’ faces, using many close-ups that make us feel that we are part of what is happening on the screen.
Most of the actors in the film are excellent. I doubt if there is any actor who could portray Jesus to the satisfaction of everyone. Diego Morgado, who portrayed Jesus, probably followed the advice of the director, Christopher Spencer, but I found the depiction too soft and ethereal, sort of other-worldly. Though I have serious objections to Mel Gibson’s depiction of the scourging in his “The Passion of Christ,” I found Jim Caviezel’s portrayal of Jesus superior to most.
I am hoping that the appearance of “Son of Man” might motivate many believers to take film seriously. The film might encourage people to form film discussion groups. I know that Msgr. Fernando Ferrarese has a wonderful film program at Immaculate Conception parish in Astoria. Since 1993, I have shown about 90 religious films in my Friday Film Festivals at the Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston. So there is no lack of films for groups interested in seriously discussing films.
Some of the questions that might be interesting to discuss are:
• What is a religious film?
• What are the necessary ingredients that justify calling a film “religious?”
• What is the depiction of the human person in the film? What is the depiction of sin? What is the depiction of God?
• Is this a film that might lead viewers closer to God? Why or why not?
• Is this a great film? Why or why not?
• Can this film be appreciated by any adult, whether the viewer is a believer or a non-believer?
• Can children/teenagers appreciate this film?
• What is the theme of the film?
• Is the film “preachy?” If so, does this strengthen or weaken the quality?
• Is the plot or story interesting?
• Is the acting weak or strong?
• Is music used well or poorly?
• Is the camera work just acceptable or exceptionally good?
A discussion program centered on film could take place in at least two ways: Group members could view the film together or separately prior to their discussion. If the group thought that they needed some guidance to help them discuss films, many books are available. One I like is edited by the late John R. May, “Image & Likeness: Religious Visions in American Classics” (New York: Paulist Press, 1992, pp. 200). In it, May quotes Mark Van Doren’s questions about poetry (Page 5). I think we can substitute “film” for “poem” and “director” for “author”:
“What is a given poem about? What happens in it? What exists in it? If too little of the world is in it, why is that? If all of the world is there, by what miracle has this been done? Is tragedy or comedy at work, and what is the difference between the two, and what the resemblance? Are the facts of life accounted for in the unique way that poetry accounts for them, and is the poem something therefore that any man should read? Does its author know more, not less, than most men know? Such seem to me the great questions, though they are not regularly asked by criticism.”
If filmgoers and filmmakers reflected on these questions, there might be a quantum leap in film education and perhaps in the quality of films produced.[hr] Father Robert Lauder, a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn and philosophy professor at St. John’s University, Jamaica, writes a weekly column for the Catholic Press.