Religion, Spirituality, and the Movies
It’s Oscar time, and as the Academy Awards are handed out this weekend, revisit our archive of interviews and stories about such recent films as The Tree of Life, Higher Ground, The Way, and more.
The Tree of Life
Director Terrence Malick’s new movie “The Tree of Life” is a meditation on traditional Christian questions about evil, suffering, grace, and beauty, says Calvin College professor of English Roy Anker. Watch our interview with him about the film.
The Way
Actor Martin Sheen says his new movie about the Camino de Santiago is ultimately about “a journey of the spirit as well as the flesh” as well as a search for ritual and transcendence.
Higher Ground
Writer and author Frederica Mathewes-Green comments on Vera Farmiga’s latest film, “Higher Ground,” which also marks Farmiga’s début as a director. The actress plays Corinne, a woman who struggles with faith, doubt, and conservative evangelical Christianity.
Of Gods and Men
Father James Martin, SJ, culture editor of America magazine, shares his thoughts about the movie “Of Gods and Men,” the story of a community of Trappist monks in Algeria who have close relationships with their Muslim neighbors but who must decide whether to stay or leave when they are threatened by Islamic militants. The movie is based on the book “The Monks of Tibhirine” by John Kiser.
True Grit
Watch Cathleen Falsani, author of “The Dude Abides: The Gospel According to the Coen Brothers,” discuss the movie “True Grit.”
