25 frames per second

My wife and I love films and talking about them. So when we heard about a weekend of film lectures and discussion at English L’Abri at Greatham, Hampshire in October, we jumped at the opportunity to go.

How may we gain spiritually from film and discussion? This was to be a stimulating environment in which to find out. Six films were shown, two on Friday evening and four throughout Saturday with discussions to follow, and a lecture entitled ‘Keeping us honest — film as a sacred secular experience’. Here are some observations from three of the films and the lecture to give you a taste.

Sideways (2004; cert. 15; director Alexander Payne)

A frank and disturbing look into the lives of two friends, Miles and Jack, who go on a wine tour of California as a last ‘week of freedom’ for Jack before he gets married. By the time the film closes the hope held out for integrity and reality in relationships is thoroughly deconstructed. Plenty of longing for one, but no real hope that either Miles or Jack have learned from their experience.

The discussion was polarised between those who appreciated the honesty with which the film unmasked meaninglessness and the shallowness resulting in those who live in it, and others disturbed by the moral vacuum in the characters.

My life without me (2002; cert. 15; Isabel Coixet)

Ann is 23, has two daughters and is happily married. Health problems at work lead her to discover that she has terminal cancer and two months to live. Deciding to conceal this from her husband and family, the film allows you to see ‘[the] life without me’ that the title suggests. Ann writes a list of things to do before she dies, and proceeds to live that out ‘to the full.’

The premise of the film can be easily dismissed and rejected as unrealistic. It was easy to be repelled by her choice to live a ‘secret life’ (particularly one involving an adulterous relationship) and her avoidance of questions of death and dying, not only for her, but for her family, was hard to bear.

The discussion leader sought to keep us, initially, within the context of the film’s narrative and values. This may entail putting immorality initially to one side in order not to miss other important aspects. While this approach is to be welcomed, it can be hard to keep objective. Both of us felt sad about Ann’s choice to ‘deny reality’. Real love can flourish in the context of our own limitations and life’s struggles Ð even grief.

Keeping us honest (lecture)

We were treated to an excellent lecture given by Robb Ludwick of Dutch L’Abri, who encouraged us to watch films and then ask ourselves ‘How does God’s living word apply to me in my particular experience now that I have watched this film?’ Best enjoyed with a group of friends over coffee! It was encouraging to hear something so God-centred and positive. Robb was very practical about the perils of film watching. It is sometimes necessary to walk out of or stop a film. Talking about negative film experiences with trusted friends and accountability was encouraged. This might lead to a personal conclusion to steer clear of certain genres (e.g. gangster) or particular films.

As it is in heaven (2004; cert. 15; Kay Pollack)

Daniel, a famous but highly-strung composer, is forced to reassess his priorities after a heart attack. Seeking to downshift his life style, he returns to the small, rural town of his youth and reluctantly takes on the church choir. His passion and transparency provoke the choir members to come out from their hiding places, face their inner demons and together find true community. This, among other things, overbalances the picture perfect respectability prized by the church vicar, liberates a wife to face her abusing husband and leads Daniel to discover that he can love.

We all seemed to improve at considering what this film was driving at on its own terms. E.g. in one scene, the vicar’s wife says, ‘There is no sin. The Church thought it up to put people in bondage.’ However, in the context of the film, the wife, speaking to her husband, is saying that he sees only sin, and thus is robbing himself of enjoying what God has given. A good reminder to those of us with ascetic tendencies (cf. 1 Timothy 4.1-5)!

Applying these principles to the enjoyment of film is a great way to learn how to ‘take captive every thought and make it subject to Christ’. It reinforces the truth that there is no part of life about which Christ does not say ‘mine’. Thank you L’Abri, for an enriching film festival.

Film lectures and disscussion at L'Abri

Sideways (2004; cert. 15; director Alexander Payne)

Keeping us honest (lecture)

Hugh and Rebecca Griffin

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