Catholicism and Culture Student Projects

Quarter One and Two Project
Quarter Three Project

Quarters One and Two: Workgroup Project : Film as Sacrament
Fr. Ronald M. Vierling, M.F.C., M.A., M.Div.

[ Download a copy of these project guidelines ]

This is a project which you are producing for display on the web. It may be in the form of a research paper, website or a Powerpoint presentation.

What is a sacrament?

For Christians, a sacrament in simplest terms is a ritual with signs or symbols that points to a deeper, "sacred" reality. They have been called "doors to the sacred"- meaning they establish in the ordinary time and space of the sensible world a way of experiencing more directly the "world" of the divine.

For the early church, a sacrament was a way of experiencing the divine in the ordinary, the "sacred in the profane." For example, Baptism turned the ordinary- water- into a sacred bath that cleansed the soul of sins, just as water in its ordinary use cleansed the body of dirt. Similarly, the Eucharist was a sacred meal that symbolized the body of blood of Jesus, but did so through ordinary bread and wine. This is what the sacraments were: ways of seeing the divine in and through the ordinary things that surround us- and turning those things into constant reminders that another world exists.

In the church today, the sacraments have become highly ritualized. As a result, they succeed at creating sacred space and time, but do they still encourage us to see the sacred in the ordinary? Do we still see the bread used as host in the Eucharist as our "daily bread" for which we pray in the Lord's Prayer? The more ritualized the sacraments become, the more distanced they become from the profane- and the less likely to encourage us to see the divine in the ordinary.

Nevertheless, we can still learn as Christians to see the world sacramentally, and the fact that our culture has been shaped for two thousand years by the story and meaning of the life of Christ means that it is can be easy to see the divine in the world around us, if we know how to look.

Your film review should contain four components:

A brief plot summary of your film, including the names of major characters, and the film’s setting in terms of time and space. You might want to comment on the film’s critical reception, to the extent that such information is available (check out www.rottentomatoes.com for film reviews by major critics). Keep this part of your presentation to around 300 words.

An examination of the theme of 'sacramentality' in film. In what ways does the film depict the presence of the sacred within the profane? How is this accomplished: through persons, events, objects? How is this sacramental aspect depicted by the director: special effects, lighting, music, texture? This part of your paper should constitute the bulk of your writing/presentation.

An examination of any theological themes / aspects of the film. Does your film explore honor and shame? the meaning of love? keeping hope in the face of hopeless or oppressive circumstances? Does it explore the meaning of suffering? Does it explore beliefs about life’s purpose and meaning? about the relationship between humans and the divine? Is it apocalyptic, with a dark and cautionary vision of the future? Is it sacramental, with scenes where characters seek to find the sacred in the ordinary?

An examination of the way your film treats organized religion as an institution, and how any openly religious characters are portrayed. The media’s portrayal of religion has an impact on how religious people view themselves and how they are viewed by others. How does your film treat this subject? Are the religious characters portrayed as fanatical or hypocritical? Pious but clueless? Devout? Persecuted? What is your film trying to say about the nature and place of religion? Remember, if your film says nothing about religion, and has no religious characters, THIS IS STILL A COMMENTARY ON RELIGION! The complete absence of religion could tell you something about the film’s vision of the future (if it is apocalyptic, like “Gattaca”), or about the way the film thinks the present should look. Discuss this briefly but thoroughly, in at least 200 words.

The Format:

As you know, you may use Microsoft PowerPoint or Word to design your presentation for the web. If you venture outside of these two programs, just be aware that I will be importing your presentation into Microsoft FrontPage, and some of your formatting may be lost. Keep the following guidelines in mind:

Content is more important than presentation. If you develop a fancy and impressive website that says nothing of relevance about your chosen film, you won’t find your presentation on the website, and you probably won’t be pleased with your grade. This class is about theological themes in film, not website design, so keep that in mind as you put your time and energy into this project. There should be AT LEAST 1000 WORDS, bare minimum, in your presentation, but I strongly suggest that you do more that this. Remember, I am counting this as a major project, so give it some extra effort.

Tasteless or inappropriate content is unacceptable. If your site contains material from your film (quotes, pictures, etc.) that would be considered improper, it will hurt your grade and certainly ruin your chances of being published on the website. Keep it tasteful. If your film contains mature or controversial material, it is your responsibility to handle it with restraint in your presentation. This is part of the price for being allowed to choose the film for yourself.

Sources must be cited! Hear that? Sources must be cited! Planning on using Hollywood Jesus for information? Found an interesting website dedicated to your film, or an interesting article at the online Journal of Religion and Film? IF YOU USE A SOURCE FOR IDEAS, PICTURES, OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION, YOU MUST CITE THE SOURCE!!! I am familiar with much of what is online about motion pictures, and if you plagiarize from any of them and I catch you, you have failed. You only get one chance to do this right. Be lazy, and pay the price.

Along with your presentation, turn in any necessary publishing notes. If there are some special effects you would like added to your presentation that are not available in Word or PowerPoint, you can type a note to me that explains your request, and I will do my best to incorporate it into your cite when I publish in FrontPage. Just be sure that you include the appropriate graphics, etc. for the effect.

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[ Download a copy of these project guidelines ]

Quarter Three: Workgroup Project : Modern Christ-Figures in Film
Fr. Ronald M. Vierling, M.F.C., M.A., M.Div.

This is a project which you are producing for display on the web. It may be in the form of a research paper, website, or a Power Point presentation. Your project should contain four components:

A brief plot summary of your film, including the names of major characters, and the film’s setting in terms of time and space. You might want to comment on the film’s critical reception, to the extent that such information is available (check out www.rottentomatoes.com for film reviews by major critics). Keep this part of your presentation to around 300 words.

An examination of any character in the film with “Christ-like” qualities (see checklist, below). Such qualities could be related to the character’s own personality (miracle working, exceptional birth, etc.) or to his/her life and social setting (born poor or “shamed,” wrongly accused of a crime or persecuted, etc.), or both. Length of this part of the presentation is determined by its relevance to the overall project. If you are focusing on a Christ-figure, I would suggest this be at least 500-600 words of your project.

An examination of any theological themes / aspects of the film. Does your film explore honor and shame? the meaning of love? keeping hope in the face of hopeless or oppressive circumstances? Does it explore the meaning of suffering? Does it explore beliefs about life’s purpose and meaning? about the relationship between humans and the divine? Is it apocalyptic, with a dark and cautionary vision of the future? Is it sacramental, with scenes where characters seek to find the sacred in the ordinary? Does the film misuse a Christ figure to endorse or support an unchristian cause? DO NOT NEGLECT THIS ASPECT OF YOUR FILM. Finding a Christ-figure is easy- discovering what makes a film inspirational and relevant and relating it to theology is more difficult, but it probably has more to do with why most people go to see movies in the first place! If this is the focus of your paper, it should be 500-600 words of your presentation. If not, the issue should still be addressed, in at least 300 words.

An examination of the way your film treats organized religion as an institution, and how any openly religious characters are portrayed. The media’s portrayal of religion has an impact on how religious people view themselves and how they are viewed by others. How does your film treat this subject? Are the religious characters portrayed as fanatical or hypocritical? Pious but clueless? Devout? Persecuted? What is your film trying to say about the nature and place of religion? Remember, if your film says nothing about religion, and has no religious characters, THIS IS STILL A COMMENTARY ON RELIGION! The complete absence of religion could tell you something about the film’s vision of the future (if it is apocalyptic, like “Gattaca”), or about the way the film thinks the present should look. Discuss this briefly but thoroughly, in at least 200 words.

The Format:

Content is more important than presentation. If you develop a fancy and impressive website that says nothing of relevance about your chosen film, you won’t find your presentation on the website, and you probably won’t be pleased with your grade. This class is about theological themes in film, not website design, so keep that in mind as you put your time and energy into this project. There should be AT LEAST 1000 WORDS, bare minimum, in your presentation, but I strongly suggest that you do more that this. Remember, I am counting this as a major project, so give it some extra effort.

Tasteless or inappropriate content is unacceptable. If your site contains material from your film (quotes, pictures, etc.) that would be considered improper, it will hurt your grade and certainly ruin your chances of being published on the website. Keep it tasteful. If your film contains mature or controversial material, it is your responsibility to handle it with restraint in your presentation. This is part of the price for being allowed to choose the film for yourself.

Sources must be cited! Hear that? Sources must be cited! Planning on using Hollywood Jesus for information? Found an interesting website dedicated to your film, or an interesting article at the online Journal of Religion and Film? IF YOU USE A SOURCE FOR IDEAS, PICTURES, OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION, YOU MUST CITE THE SOURCE!!! I am familiar with much of what is online about motion pictures, and if you plagiarize from any of them and I catch you, you have failed. You only get one chance to do this right. Be lazy, and pay the price.

Along with your presentation, turn in any necessary publishing notes. If there are some special effects you would like added to your presentation that are not available in Word or PowerPoint, you can type a note to me that explains your request, and I will do my best to incorporate it into your cite when I publish in FrontPage. Just be sure that you include the appropriate graphics, etc. for the effect.

A Helpful Checklist for defining a “Christ-figure” in a film.

As you watch your film, consider asking yourself the questions below. This might help you to determine a Christ-figure in your film, and to determine the extent to which the parallel between your character and Christ is a valid one:

Is there a character whose birth is considered unusual or miraculous in any way?

Is the character “incarnated” in some way, rather than being born, or does he/she “appear” on earth?

Is there a character born into shameful or oppressed circumstances?

Is there a character whose birth or life is in some way foretold or prophesied?

Is there a John the Baptist-like character, whose sole purpose is to announce the birth or arrival of another character (presumably the film’s messiah figure)?

Does the character demonstrate an unusual or exceptional childhood?

Is the character aware of his/her destiny before it becomes obvious to others?

Is there a scene that marks the beginning of your character’s mission, or that marks the moment he/she accepts a pre-ordained destiny? Does it involve being “brought into the light,” or being cleansed by water (baptism)? Does a similar moment mark the end of the character’s “mission”?

Does your character demonstrate any special, unusual, or even supernatural skills? Is he/she in some way a miracle worker or healer, or exceptionally gifted?

Does anything about the character inspire others to follow him/her? Does he/she acquire a group of “disciples”?

Is your character wrongly or falsely accused of a crime, or mistakenly thought to be dangerous? Is the accusation related to fears that stem from your character’s uniqueness?

Does your character have foreknowledge of his/her death? Is he/she willing to die for the sake of others?

Is your character convinced that he/she is called by God or a "higher power"?

Is your character betrayed in some way by an “insider” or follower, who turns against him or her?

Does your film contain sacramental symbolism, such as baptismal scenes (mentioned above)? Is there Eucharistic symbolism, in which a character is remembered (ritually, at a meal perhaps) by others after he or she is gone?

Is there crucifixion symbolism in your film, such as a character who appears in a crucified position, or whose hands/feet are pierced? If not, is your character executed or punished in a fashion comparable to first century crucifixion (electric chair, perhaps)?

Does your character die? Does he or she die in a way that is considered especially tragic, or is the loss of the character considered tragic? Does you character change identities in some way, so that an old identity “dies”?

Is your character in some way resurrected? Does he/she assume a new identity? Is there a scene analogous to the ascension?

Are other characters in any way saved, healed, or reconciled to one another as a result of the death of your character? Does the death, although tragic, lead to a positive change in the lives of others?

Are there any characters with symbolic names? Be on the lookout for this one! Often, a character’s name is the “window” into his/her soul!

Are there any scenes with symbolic content? Scenes in which a church, cross, or other explicitly religious symbol is inserted? Is the Bible ever explicitly quoted? The names “Jesus” or “God” inserted into the dialogue at key moments that might be symbolically significant?

Hopefully, this will help to point you in the right direction.

Good Luck!!

Special thanks to Richard Martin, Christian Brothers High School, for permission to use this project.

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