We have partnered with Alberta Avenue Vineyard church to host community film discussions at The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse (9351 118th Ave).

I just wanted to let you know that while there will not be another Body Creative Network Meetup before the year is through (I had said Nov 30th, but due to some major life changes that I’ll write about soon, that is cancelled, and there will be one in the new year), I’m co-hosting a film discussion night on November 23rd (this Sunday) at 6:30 PM at The Carrot. We will be watching and discussing the documentary, War Photographer. Of course, there is an obvious appeal to photographers, but the subject matter affects us all as artists who attempt to capture and create the world around us.

Moving Pictures: War Photographer
Sunday, Nov 23, 6:30 PM
The Carrot (9351 118th Ave)

I hope to see you there where the conversation and coffee will flow freely.

Well, I have to admit, I haven’t seen Fireproof, and likely won’t.

There was a time when I would watch every attempt believers made to make a decent film. Even it they were just attempts. After spending many disappointing hours (and a few redeeming ones), I dropped out of that race.

So, I haven’t seen “Fireproof”, or the earlier movie from the same Church-based production company, “Facing the Giants”. I haven’t seen them, but this thoughtful post I read today from Chip MacGregor’s blog gives me some insight into what I could have guessed. The message is strong and the art is poor.

Far from being another rant though, Chip’s thoughts are worth digesting. What weight should we give to message in a piece, and what weight to quality?

Read and weigh in here …

http://chipmacgregor.typepad.com/main/2008/10/the-art-of-fireproofing.html

Did you know that there is an Ecumenical Jury at Cannes each year?

I didn’t until I came across this article this morning. Perhaps it is just because I am listening to “Anthem-Part 2″ by Phillip Glass right now, but this news is very inspiring indeed. This Jury awards prizes based on the spiritual impact of films AND the excellence of their craft. It reads as miles away from any type of film baptism into a mainstream Christian culture. It also seems to steer away from judging a film’s merits only on it’s ability to communicate the full Gospel message, or, it’s worth as a tract.

The article, linked below, tells more about the Ecumenical Jury and it’s history, as well as listing some of the films it has honored. Perhaps a good index to add to your Ziplist?

blood pressure stethoscope

Spirituality in Cinema – Ecumenical Jury at Cannes | KINO-GermanFilm

Body Creative Network Discussions - 2001: A Space Odyssey

This weekend I had the pleasure of experiencing Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” for the very first time. I must say, even though this film is now 40 years old (!) I was blown away by it.

2001 is our current film under discussion for Faith and Film online and we’d love you to join the conversation. We will be chatting about the film from an artistic viewpoint, as well as a theological and philosophical one.

You can jump in on our forums here …

Body Creative Network Discussions - 2001: A Space Odyssey

Birthed from one of our blog discussion threads, we are launching Faith and Film Online Conversations this coming Monday, February 4, 2008. Much has been debated both online and off as to which film would be discussed, and due to some time constraints this coming week, I am declaring the movie to be one that I know I am going to watch between now and then (rather than Pan’s Labrynth, which I will not be able to watch in time). We will likely do Pan’s Labrynth in a coming F&F, so if you watched it, keep the ideas bubbling.

The film - Sunshine (2007, dir. by Danny Boyle). I just saw it on the weekend, and want to see it again. The film is packed with thought provoking moments and questions of philosophy, theology and human nature in the best “sci-fi” sense.

So, how does this work?

Come back here sometime Monday, and join in the comments on the blog post for the film. We will discuss whether we liked it or not and why, what statements it made to us and what questions it raised for us, the artistic merits of the film and the subject matter as well. Basically anything that arises from viewing the film is fair game.

My hope is that through this exercise we learn a little more about each other and ourselves, and we learn together how to listen to a film.