2007-08
Center presents “Religion & Politics” film series
16 films explore intersection of faith, politics and film
Sponsored by the MU Center on Religion & the Professions.
|
Jump to: For more information, e-mail whiteab@missouri.edu or call 882-2770. |
 |
All films are at 7 p.m. in Fisher Auditorium (Gannett Hall, Room 87), in the Missouri School of Journalism. Admission is free.
- Read article in The Maneater
- Read articles in The Missourian:
Film series on politics, religion resumes (Jan. 22, 2008)
Politics and religion film series to begin
Controversial abortion film to be shown in Columbia
Abortion documentary stirs Columbia audience
- Read article in the Missouri School of Journalism newsletter
- Read Faith in Focus blog post
| Aug. 29 | “Malcolm X” |
| Sept. 5 | “A Man for All Seasons” |
| Sept. 19 | “Fire Within“ |
| Oct. 10 | “Kundun“ |
| Oct. 17 | “George W. Bush: Faith in the White House“ |
| Nov. 14 | “Lake of Fire“ |
| Nov. 28 | “Seeing Red: A Journey Through the Moral Divide“ |
| Dec. 12 | “Waiting For NESARA“ |
| Jan. 23 | “My Mother India“ |
| Jan. 30 | “With God On Our Side“ |
| Feb. 13 | “Amazing Grace“ |
| Feb. 27 | “No More Tears Sister“ |
| March 5 | “Earth“ |
| March 19 | “Romero“ |
| April 16 | “The War Within“ |
| April 30 | “The Great Warming“ |
The “Religion & Politics” film series offers an eclectic selection of dramas, biographies and documentaries that examine the interplay between religion and politics – both defining forces throughout history and in today’s events. Several of the films are independently produced or distributed and not readily available to the public.
The series is intended to provoke thought and interest in learning more about the times, places, issues and people depicted. Some of the films are provocative and controversial. These films are not being shown to defame, exploit or contradict beliefs, or to promote or attack particular religions or political parties. They are intended to touch on an array of opinions and encourage examination and conversation.
The Center does not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of opinions or information portrayed in the films. Opinions or statements in the films are those of the filmmakers, not the Center or the University of Missouri-Columbia.
For updates, check the Center’s Web site, call (573) 882-2770 or e-mail whiteab@missouri.edu.
Fall 2007
 |
AUG. 29
“Malcolm X”
Starring Denzel Washington and directed by Spike Lee, the film tells the story of famous African-American civil rights leader Malcolm X. It traces his journey from criminal and conversion to Islam in prison, from black separatist leader in the Nation of Islam to pilgrimage to Mecca, conversion to orthodox Islam, and advocate for black nationalism and racial reconciliation. Malcolm X came to conclude that Islam could solve racial problems. He was assassinated in 1965. Rated PG-13. (1992)
– With introduction by Nathan Stephens, director of the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center at MU
 |
When King Henry VIII broke with Rome to divorce his wife and start his own church, Catholic Lord Chancellor Sir Thomas More followed his conscience rather than the king. A man of deep religious convictions, More was indicted for treason and beheaded for his principles in 1535. More was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1935. The film version of this true story won six Academy Awards. The film explores the relationship between personal conscience and public duties. (1966)
– With introduction by Dr. Jill Raitt, professor emerita in the MU Department of Religious Studies and expert in history of the Protestant Reformation. A facilitated discussion will follow the film.
 |
SEPT. 19
“Fire Within“
The film documents the efforts of Jacobs International Teen Leadership Institute (JITLI) to foster cross-cultural and international understanding. Ten Israeli Arabs, 10 Israeli Jews and 10 American Jews travel together through Israel and Spain, exploring their differences and similarities. They confront their prejudices and fears and discuss issues such as religion, history, politics, the military, civil rights, racial profiling, governance and their own identities. Finding they are more united as humans than they are divided by differences, the Muslims, Jews, Israelis, Arabs, Americans, boys and girls form friendships, plans and hopes for the future. (2003)
 |
OCT. 10
“Kundun“
Directed by Martin Scorsese, the film is based on the life and writings of the 14th Dalai Lama, the exiled political and spiritual leader of Tibet. In 1937, in a remote area of Tibet, a 2-year-old child is identified as the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, referred to by Tibetans as “Kundun” – “The Presence.” At 4, the child begins schooling as a Tibetan Buddhist monk and as head of state. At 14, the Chinese invade Tibet and the Dalai Lama is forced into a rocky coalition government. He meets with Chinese leader Mao Zedong but, ill and persecuted, flees to India in 1959, tormented by visions of Tibetans’ slaughter under Chinese rule. The Dalai Lama, known internationally today for promoting compassion and tolerance, continues to live in exile in India. Rated PG-13. (1997)
– With introduction by Signe Cohen, expert in Eastern religions and assistant professor of Religious Studies at MU
 |
OCT. 17
“George W. Bush: Faith in the White House“
Billed as the conservative alternative to Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11,” the documentary outlines the significant role Christianity plays in the life and presidency of George W. Bush. The film provides an insider’s view of how Bush’s dedication to faith, prayer and application of God’s word transformed his life and continues to inform his decisions, worldview and leadership. (2004)
NOV. 14
“Lake of Fire“
Filmed over 15 years, Tony Kaye’s documentary sheds light on both sides of the debate over abortion, an issue that deeply divides Americans. Kaye interviews a range of people – from fundamentalist Christians to experts in bioethics, impassioned pro-life believers and determined pro-choice advocates.
 |
Kaye endeavors to show abortion’s physical and psychological reality – the film includes graphic images of termination procedures – and also devotes time to medical practitioners killed or injured in attacks on abortion providers. Shot in black-and-white with commentary by Noam Chomsky, the film explores the complex issue as one with both extremes and shades of gray. (2006)
LOCATION: Fisher Auditorium, Gannett Hall-Room 87, University of Missouri-Columbia
TIME: 7 p.m.
COST: Free.
– With facilitated discussion following the film
(Note: This film was originally scheduled to be shown at Ragtag Cinemacafe. Due to a scheduling conflict, the location has been changed. The new time and location are reflected here.)
 |
“Seeing Red: A Journey Through the Moral Divide“
After the 2004 presidential election and amid media reports of America’s moral division between red and blue states – the faithful and faithless – four friends set out to explore the intersection of religion and civic engagement in America. Two Jews, a Hindu and a born-again Christian, they set out to investigate the power of evangelical Christianity in American political life. The documentary takes them from Texas megachurches to New Hampshire music festivals and MTV protests in New York. They find the characterization of evangelicals in mainstream media overlooks a more textured and diverse story of religion and politics.
DEC. 12
“Waiting For NESARA“
Shot on location in Utah between Sept. 11, 2001, and the start of Iraq war, the documentary tells the true story of The Open Mind Forum, a messianic group of former Mormons who share belief in a utopian prophecy tied to a political movement. The group awaits implementation of NESARA, a secret law they believe would abolish the IRS, remove George W. Bush from office, expose him as a “reptilian alien” and install an extraterrestrial Jesus Christ as America’s leader. The group believes Bush ordered the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to delay NESARA’s implementation and that the Iraq war will be his second attempt. The film chronicles the group’s struggle to stay together and focused as they pray for alien allies to intervene in time to stop the war. (2005)
Spring 2008
JAN. 23
“My Mother India“
Beginning as a humorous portrait of a Indian-Australian family living in India, the documentary becomes a commentary on the partition of India and Pakistan and the socio-political events of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Filmmaker Safina Uberoi tells the story through biographical sketches of her family, including her Australian mother, who married a Sikh Indian professor in the 1960s and moved to New Delhi, where they raised three children. The film shows both the challenges of a multicultural family and how historical and political events such as riots and anti-Sikh sentiments influenced family members’ lives and decisions to stay or leave their home. (2001)
 |
JAN. 30
“With God On Our Side“
The documentary takes an in-depth look at the connection between President George W. Bush and evangelical Christianity. In two parts, the first traces the history of the conservative evangelical movement in America. The second explores how Bush’s religious beliefs inform his presidency. The film imparts the history in an even-handed tone and includes rare archival footage and interviews with leading evangelicals, key Washington players and grassroots activists. The portrait that emerges is of a president whose life and leadership are symbolic of the larger nexus of religion and politics in America. (2004)
FEB. 13
“Amazing Grace“
 |
The film is based on the life of William Wilberforce, a member of British Parliament who pioneered the end of the 18th-century British slave trade. Wilberforce, a rising political star, is elected to the House of Commons at 21. He rediscovered his Christian faith as a young man but struggles over whether to use his talents for political or religious leadership. He decides he can use his political popularity to draw attention to the slaves’ humanity and need to end the slave trade – convictions fueled by his faith. Over decades, Wilberforce challenges the English establishment and convinces leaders to end Great Britain’s involvement in the African slave trade. He is influenced by friend John Newton, a former slave ship captain who underwent a religious conversion and penned the famous hymn, “Amazing Grace.” Wilberforce finds balance between his religious convictions and his public service, each informing the other. Rated PG. (2006)
 |
|
[Flier]
|
FEB. 27
“No More Tears Sister“
Violent ethnic conflict between mostly Hindu Tamils and mostly Buddhist Sinhalese in Sri Lanka is the background for the life of human rights activist Dr. Rajani Thiranagama, documented in the film. Sri Lanka gained independence from the British in 1948. Though its ethnic groups had fought together, independence fractured them into increasingly violent opposition among each other and with the government. A Christian Tamil, Thiranagama believed in equality for all Sri Lankans, regardless of ethnicity. But amid suppression of Tamils by the Sinhalese majority, she was pulled toward Tamil nationalism. Even so, she was married to a radical Sinhala Buddhist student leader, documented atrocities on all sides of the conflict, and worked to promote social justice in Sri Lanka all of her life. A doctor, anatomy professor, mother, wife, political activist and internationally respected human rights activist, Thiranagama was assassinated in 1989 at age 35. (2004)
 |
|
[Flier]
|
FEB. 28-29, MARCH 1
“Shake the Devil Off”
Six months after Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans, St. Augustine church parishioners learn their church is about to be closed and its priest, Father Jerome LeDoux, sent away. Parishioners of this historic church – where slaves, free blacks and whites first worshipped together and where many say jazz was born – join forces with local musicians to resist. The film is a contemporary retelling of the Easter story, in a city where politics, culture and religion collide and where God’s plan remains impenetrable. This film is being shown in collaboration with the True/False Film Festival. Special times and locations:
Feb. 28 – 6 p.m.
Windsor Auditorium, Stephens College
Feb. 29 – 7:30 p.m.
Forrest Theater, Tiger Hotel
March 1 – 12:30 p.m.
Windsor Auditorium, Stephens College
(Free tickets to March 1 show available; call 882-2770)
MARCH 5
“Earth“
Directed by Deepa Mehta, the film takes place in 1947 at the time of the British division of the Indian subcontinent into Muslim-dominated Pakistan and Hindu-Sikh dominated India. It is told through the eyes of an 8-year-old girl, who watches her household and city crumble as ethnic and religious conflicts erupt. The film depicts what happens to a group of friends from Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Parsi backgrounds in Lahore, in the region of Punjab, when it is divided in two during the partition. An estimated 11 million people caught on the “wrong” side of the border during the division are driven from their homes. The girl watches as anarchy and chaos also divide friends and family. (1998)
MARCH 19
“Romero“
Raul Julia plays Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero in the film depicting the true story of Romero’s life. A Catholic priest, Romero worked in El Salvador during the 1980s political unrest. Initially viewed as conservative, he later embraced nonviolent “liberation theology.” Romero spoke out against social injustice, poverty and government terror campaigns during the country’s civil war. His protests against government actions were viewed by some as disloyal and the government was implicated in destruction of churches and murders of priests. Romero was assassinated in 1980 as he celebrated Mass. Rated PG-13. (1989)
APRIL 16
“The War Within“
Pakistani engineering student Hassan is apprehended by Western intelligence services in Paris for suspected terrorist activities. Imprisoned and tortured, Hassan – formerly only an intellectual supporter of “jihad” – radicalizes and joins a terrorist cell in New York City. On the day of a major planned attack, most of the cell’s members are arrested and Hassan seeks refuge with an unsuspecting childhood friend living the “American dream” in New Jersey with his family. As days pass, Hassan is torn between his religious beliefs and political imperative, and the generosity and hospitality of his friend’s family. The film observes Hassan’s crisis of conscience as he wrestles with issues of identity, race and Islam in deciding whether to carry out his deadly mission. Rated R. (2005)
APRIL 30
“The Great Warming“
Narrated by Alanis Morissette and Keanu Reeves, the film argues that humans are changing the planet’s climate, and only humans can take action to stop or slow those changes. It travels around the world to show how climate change is affecting people’s lives and what people are doing to handle climate change and plan for the future. It also looks at the economic, social and political impacts of climate change and threats to the environment, health and quality of life. The film shows responses from a range of people urging action on climate change, from scientists and architects to automobile designers and evangelical Christian leaders. The film’s message is that people have both an individual and collective moral responsibility to reverse climate change. (2006)
• See flier
Directions to auditorium:
Fisher Auditorium (Room 87) is located on the ground floor of Gannett Hall, in the Missouri School of Journalism. The auditorium has tiered seating; the building has soda machines and restrooms near the auditorium. The closest parking is the Hitt Street garage, Lot WC-14, or street parking near 9th Street. [map]