Religion and Film: An Introduction

Synopsis

From silent films to contemporary blockbusters, religion has always proved a popular theme for the cinema. At the same time, aspects of film-watching are often described as 'religious', while particular films clearly have influenced religious thinking and polemic. However, all too often the encounter between religion and film is discussed from narrowly confessional perspectives, so that the field has long been dominated by the question of a film's fidelity to a religious text or worldview, or its value as a tool in ministry and mission. Such an apologetic approach to the discussion of film and religion is disappointingly limited and parochial.'Religion and Film: An Introduction' seeks to redress the balance. After reviewing current trends in the study of religion and film, Melanie J Wright argues for a new, holistic approach that draws on work from cultural studies, religious studies and film studies alike, and that at last brings to the sophisticated medium of film the multitextured analysis that it deserves. She argues that the given 'meanings' of any film are not fixed by, or encoded in, its textual organisation, but are rather bound up with its varied interpretation by viewers in specific contexts. In a departure from existing treatments of the subject, proper attention is paid to the idea that, in considering and assessing a film's significance, the differing religious and cultural locales in which a film is seen are at least as important as its other features.A broad and religiously diverse range of films including 'The Ten Commandments', 'La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc', 'Kadosh', 'Lagaan', ''My Son the Fanatic', 'Keeping the Faith', 'The Wicker Man' and Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of The Christ' is discussed from four main perspectives: narrative, style, cultural context, and reception. The author looks at varied screen representations of religion; at films shaped by strong convictions about the place of religion in society; and at the roles that audiences play as consumers of film. With its novel emphases, and clear and well organised discussion of the whole field, the book will have strong appeal to students as well as general readers interested in all aspects of the inter-relationship of religion and the cinema.'Melanie Wright not only provides fascinating discussion of a range of important movies, but also moves the fledgling field of 'religion and film' to the next stage by drawing attention to concepts, questions and themes that undergird this exciting interdisciplinary endeavour. Religion and Film: An Introduction is a must-read for anyone interested in the integral relationship between religion and film in Hollywood and beyond. It will also prove an indispendable text for undergraduates and their teachers.'- Adele Reinhartz, Associate Vice-President of Research, and Professor of Religion & Classics, University of Ottawa'The developing field of religion and film is very new and encourages a wide range of different interests and approaches, as Melanie Wright rightly acknowledges in this substantial contribution to film and religion studies. The whole area has not yet developed very far, is something of a hodge-podge, and to a certain degree we do not yet know what we are doing. By selecting a particular systematic approach to religion and film – which incorporates an analysis of narrative, style, content and reception – Wright makes a great step forward for the whole field. Her cultural studies approach to the topic proposes a clearly defined solution to the subject's fragmentariness: a challenge that is long overdue. Moreover, the account she gives of each film that she considers is thorough, fascinating and enlightening.'- William L Blizek, Professor of Philosophy and Religion, University of Nebraska at Omaha, and Editor of The Journal of Religion and Film

Copyright:

2006

Book Details

Book Quality:

Publisher Quality

Book Size:

256 Pages

ISBN-13:

9780857716286

Related ISBNs:

9781850437598, 9781850437598

Publisher:

Bloomsbury Publishing

Date of Addition:

02/27/19

Copyrighted By:

N/A

Adult content:

No

Language:

English

Has Image Descriptions:

No

Categories:

History, Entertainment, Nonfiction, Art and Architecture, Religion and Spirituality

Submitted By:

Bookshare Staff

Usage Restrictions:

This is a copyrighted book.