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In this course we will think together about sin and salvation: how films depict the human condition, and the longing for wholeness, and how we might reflect on this to deepen our understanding of the Christian understanding of sin and salvation. Films can also portray the human condition in powerful ways, giving us not just a sense of what sin might consist in, but what it might feel like to be flawed, trapped,or sinful. Participants will have the opportunity to use film as a medium for sustained theological reflection; to explore how ideas are animated and given shape by stories; and to think critically about their own theological assumptions about sin, and salvation.
In doing this, we will be guided by the words of C S Lewis, who wrote: ‘The first demand any work of art makes upon us is surrender. Look. Listen. Receive. Get yourself out of the way. (There is no good asking first whether the work before you deserves such a surrender, for until you have surrendered you cannot possibly find out.)’.So, we will watch films together, and then reflect on what happened when we let the film do whatever it is it does.
The basic format of each evening will be very simple: introductory talk; film screening; group discussion. Each week there will be follow-up materials available for those who want to reflect on the film further, including readings from The Heythrop Library to provide some food for thought.
Week 1
Humanity: Wings of Desire (Wim Wenders, 1987, 127mins)
Week 2
Meaning: A Serious Man (Joel and Ethan Coen, 2009, 106mins)
Week 3
Violence and sacrifice: Pan’s Labyrinth (Guillermo del Torro, 2006, 120mins)
Week 4
Grace: The Kid with a Bike (Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne, 2011, 86mins)
Week 5
Sin and repentance: La Strada (Fellini, 1954, 108mins)
In addition to the audio reflection below, you might want to read the interview with Wim Wenders here, in which he discusses the P.O.V. shots in the library (which I mention in the interview). There is also a review of the film from an academic journal here.
There is a reflection on the film in pdf form, below. You might also want to look at the review from Jason Kalman, a professor classical Hebrew, here.
See below the reading
The Dardennes’ films have generated quite a bit of interest from film scholars, especially those interested in film ethics. There are two interesting articles online: Realistic Humanism by Walter Lesch, and The Dardenne Brothers and the Invisible Ethical Drama by John Caruna. You could also read this overview article from a Catholic perspective (although it mistakenly calls Rosetta their ‘grimmest’ film, and The Son their most challenging!).
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Stuart is the Theology Lead at LJC. He graduated with a degree in Literature and Theology from the University of Hull in 2000. From 2003-9 he studied Philosophical Theology part-time at the University of Nottingham, whilst continuing to work in the third sector with vulnerably-housed or homeless people, and young asylum seekers (as well as pulling pints in a pub). He was Lecturer at York St John University for almost a decade, before moving to London Jesuit Centre in 2021. He now lives in South East London, and spends as much time as he can in the woods.
