The afterlife is a venue that any mortal would wish to witness. Whether it be to find out the truthfulness of its existence or to find out what it really looks like, or what we do there, we would love to just see what someone thinks. One my most favorite movies "What Dreams May Come" and also recent blockbuster hit "The Lovely Bones" both explore the afterlife with no need of subtlety. Religion and film have mixed to draw the ever curious human, longing to either learn or see an interpretation on what millions may believe but cannot explain.
Each movie's plot is set against the death of a main character and that characters ability to communicate with the world they left. What Dreams May Come follow a husband and father (Robin Williams) through his journey of the afterlife. He learns that each dwelling in the eternal world has a personal touch to it from the life before, thus connecting that what he did in mortality effected his lifestyle in the afterlife. The Lovely Bones follows a father's efforts to find the killer of his daughter, while is daughter is caught in a "Limbo" between life and death aiding her loved ones to solve her mystery.
The underlying problem with each afterlife story is the same. The murdered girl, and tragically killed father find themselves in a state of immortality and existence, yet no matter how beautiful, or released they may be from the matters of earth, they are not happy or resolved in their current state.
These movies move the characters to redefine what they feel their true afterlife should be, by suggesting a second chance to fix where they are, although their time of mortality has passed by. To my knowledge, "the Lovely Bones" does not make exclusive labels or personifications of deity, neither does "What dreams may come." The absence of deity (although the afterlife does exist in what is known in popular religion, heaven, hell and limbo) allows each character to in essence become the own maker of their existence both before and after life.
Religion has been no subtle topic in movies. In fact many films embrace religion, using to both inspire and expose current feelings on religion. What "Dreams may Come" and "The Lovely Bones" are unique in their executions because they focus on the ability to control ones final outcome despite whether they have died or not. And although both films allude to fundamental Christian beliefs they also go directly against fundamental beliefs of the same religion that God is the final judge and determines the outcome of life.
Robin Williams runs through "hell"
Questions:
Can a movie successfully explain religion without drawing upon fundamental and otherwise popular stereotypes for conclusions?
I think movies have the ability to explore religion more than define it, and can do so without drawing upon popular stereotypes for conclusions. The two films discussed above show how film can explore different facets of the after life without infringing on people's already held beliefs. These films have created suggestions of the after life and have explored it without using common perceptions of heaven and hell. I think film is one medium that can explore religious elements without proclaiming them as fact. Although these films make create a clear picture of some kind of afterlife They are not forcing anyone to agree or approve of this depictions. They are simply exploring a different perspective of life after death.
ReplyDeleteIt really seems that it all depends on the source, Dane (By the way, Dude, I totally dig what you're saying).
ReplyDeleteI am of the opinion that, yes, a movie can successfully explain religion without drawing upon stereotypes. But it all depends on the source. The Church has successfully made several films about Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, early founders, pioneers, even characters in ancient scripture. While they do have to take some artistic liberties and make some assumptions, especially in films depicting Book of Mormon times as demonstrated in "The Testaments", I would hardly call them stereotypes.
When an outsider seeks to attempt to explain a religion, then yes, it is impossible to make the film without leaving personal bias out. I find it interesting how many anti-mormon films and literature are made with the disclaimer that they are leaving out all personal bias and seek to only show the facts objectively to let the viewer/reader decide for themselves.
We can't watch movies like Angels & Demons or The Da Vinci Code and expect to have any sort of grasp on the reality of the doctrines of the Catholic Church. They alone may do this, even if it has the hint of spin that only a Public Relations specialist can put. They alone have the right of saying whether a film accurately depicts their beliefs.
J. Guest
I think it depends on the audience. For example, in LDS films, they show the stereotypes of such characters as the overzealous greenie on his mission. Or the desperate single LDS girl, eager to marry before her freshman year is over. An LDS audience would understand the comedic affect the fillmmaker was trying to seek.
ReplyDeleteHowever, in films such as the Da Vinci Code or What Dreams May Come, you can sense the entertaining effect moreso than an attempt to convert within those types of movies. that may be what the filmmakers are trying to accomplish. They are staying within a comfortable place, not confusing people as to whether or not they are pushing their religion beliefs on their audience. Religion is more prominent within media.. now more than ever, but it's more of a comedic and parody style than a serious or sincere style. And for what purpose? Professor Randle said it: for monetary profit. The less offense they impose on the audience, the more they will buy their movies or watch their shows.
Summer Seschillie
I think drawing on popular stereotypes is an important part of portraying religion in films. For example in the two movies discussed, the popular belief that we will go somewhere after death is portrayed. However, it is unique in that we will create our own "heaven." In the Lovely Bones, the murdered girl refers to where she is (the "inbetween") as her heaven, implying that there is or are other heaven/heavens. I agree with the comment above me that this is staying in a comfortable place. It does not force the idea of deity, but does reference a heaven which is a religious concept, and/or a stereotype. Howerver, the interpretation keeps the audience feeling fairly comfortable because it teaches that we might be able to somewhat control what our individual heaven will consist of.
ReplyDelete-Cecily Lemmon