So here is my first shot at a real Blog entry. I mentioned "artistic and uplifting film" in my introduction, and, since we have not been able to talk about film in Relief Society yet, I thought it would be a great place to start.
I believe that film is just another form of literature. Like literature, there are empty, easy ones, and difficult, thought-provoking ones. A truly great and uplifting film will inspire you to explore important themes and issues.
One such great film that I just recently watched was a Danish film called Ordet, which means "The Word." This film was an exploration of faith, human relationships, and the reality of resurrection. It explored these themes through stunning visual elements and deft camera work. This film was challenging as it asks you to deal with difficult questions--"why is God sometimes silent?" "how can Christians be capable of hate and intolerance?"--and it does not give easy answers. You are forced to answer the questions yourself when the camera positions you in the viewpoint of a child or when you are faced with the harsh beauty of an empty field.
I truly wish that every Mormon film maker were required to view this film. It is a beautiful piece of uplifting art, something which I feel many Mormon film makers fail to achieve (although there are some notable exceptions--Saints and Soldiers being one). When viewing films, let us not stop at at the requirement of "inoffensive" and let us demand that our cinema be actively inspiring, beautiful, and thought-provoking.
