World Cinema, Theology, and the Human: Humanity in Deep Focus

by Sison; Antonio

• ISBN13: 9780415517461
• ISBN10: 041551746X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-02-27
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

World Cinema, Theology, and the Humanbuilds an engaging intertextual dialogue between nine acclaimed films of world cinema and a range of theological perspectives that touch on the theme of human experience. This book engages with the power of film to trigger hermeneutical impulses and theological conversation stemming from resonant humanity unfolding onscreen. However, it is film as art, not theology as normative text, which lays down a bridge to the possibility of critical dialogue. In this approach, film is emancipated from a theological agenda, and as an art form, given space to speak on its own terms in dialogue with theology. Where prior studies on the intersections between film and theology have examined Hollywood blockbusters such as the Ten Commandments, Dead Poet "s Society, and The Passion of the Christ, this book casts a wider net and includes a culturally diverse selection of case studies “ from festival gems such as Singapore "s Be With Meand South Africa "s Yesterday, to widely-acclaimed sleeper hits such as Argentina "s Motorcycle Diariesand New Zealand "s Whale Rider. Author Antonio Sison offers not just an examination of storytelling, but a respectful engagement with audiovisual storytelling, while giving stylistic choices such as mise-en-scene, cinematography, editing, and music due consideration. Conceptual threads drawn form a medley of theological perspectives are woven throughout the discussion of each of the selected films.