Faith & Film Class

The class fulfills several purposes: 1) to increase our ability to understand the artistic merits in film; 2) to explore ways of utilizing films to probe issues of faith; 3) to serve as a jury for the 11th Annual Whitehead International Film Festival, deciding which of the eleven feature films best meets the criteria of “Celebrating Films that Promote the Common Good.”

Criteria for Evaluating Whitehead Films

1.  Exhibits artistic excellence in screenplay, music, and filming technique.
2.  Promotes the common good, which is defined as a society in which persons and communities care for one another’s well-being.
3.  Exhibits sensitivity to the human situation, promoting the dignity of all.
4.  Fosters ecological responsibility as appropriate to the film’s content.
5.  Cultivates a realistic hope of creative transformation.

For more information about Process & Film, please click here.

Schedule

Friday,  January 13, 2012

10:00  Orientation to class, and private screening of Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives.
12:00  Break for lunch.
1:30    Discussion of Uncle Boonmee.
2:30    How can we use film in churches?
3:00    Class Break
3:20    Screening of short film, Love on the Line, followed by discussion with filmmaker Melissa Graziano.
5:00    Class Ends.
5:30    Wine/Cheese Reception with Melissa Graziano.
6:00    Banquet.
7:15    Leave for Mudd Theater.
7:30    Screening of short film Bygnings, and feature film, The Tree of Life.

Saturday,  January 14, 2012

9:00   Class discussion of feature film, The Tree of Life.
10:00 Public screening of short film, Touch and feature film, Gold and Copper.
1:00   Discussion of feature film, Gold and Copper.
2:00   Public screening of short film, Flawed and feature film, The Hedgehog.
4:00   Discussion of feature film, The Hedgehog.
5:00   Class break.
7:00   Public screening of short film, Miracle Lady followed by feature film, October.

Sunday,  January 15, 2012

1:00   Public screening of short film, Average 40 Matches and feature film, Himalaya: Path to the Sky.
3:00   Public screening of short film, The Translator and feature film, Bardsongs.
5:00   Class discussion of feature film Himalaya and Bardsongs. A light supper will be served.
7:00   Public screening of short film, Love on the Line and feature film, For 80 Days.

Monday,  January 16, 2012

9:00   Class discussion of feature film, For 80 Days.
10:00 Public screening of short film, Namrata and feature film, Crime After Crime.
1:00   Class discussion of feature film Crine After Crime.
2:00   Public screening of two feature film documentaries: The Labryinth, and Encounter Point.
4:00   Dinner meeting, discussion of the two documentaries and determination of which feature film receives the Whitehead Award.
7:00   Public screening of short film, Irene and feature film, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives.
9:00   Announcement of Whitehead Award.

Course Leader(s):
Marjorie Hewitt Suchocki, professor emerita, Claremont School of Theology; director of WIFF, Ecumenical Prize jurist, Montreal Film Festival, Berlin Film Festival.

Friday's Special Guest Leader:
Film Director Melissa Graziano won the coveted Dan McLaughlin Award for Best Animated Film for 2008. Ms. Graziano will meet with the Faith and Film class on Friday afternoon, January 13, at 3:30 p.m. to discuss techniques and issues involved in the development of short films.

Mudd Theatre
Claremont School of Theology
1325 No. College Ave.
Claremont, CA