Opus Project Introduces Film-Speak Series

Film-Speak: Life of Pi
Fri., Feb. 21, 6:30 pm, rm 124, Christ Community Church

The Opus Project on Faith, Work, and Culture, out of love for God and neighbor, nurtures reflection and conversation about the church’s shared contribution to the flourishing of society and the renewal of all things. In other words, we create space for considering and discussing things that matter. The outcome we hope to see is that as we consider embracing and participating in the cultural realms of our society, we would embody a “faithful presence” as followers of Jesus, offering the goodness God wherever we find ourselves. (more info here)

In this light, the Opus Project introduces a new series for cultural conversation: Film-Speak. Film-Speak will direct our attention to a cultural territory where we are prompted to think more deeply about human experience – film. As individuals, many of us watch lots of films; yet very rarely do we get together to discuss the ideas and stories of the films we see. Film-Speak is an on-going series sponsored by the Opus Project that has a simple, straightforward agenda: gather to watch a film together, then talk about it, and where it makes sense, consider it’s relationship to the Christian story.

But why film? Like other realms of cultural life, film is a place where creativity mixes with human experience to tell stories in which we see the good, the bad, and the ugly. So often, good films, like good literature, capture important facets about what it means to be human. They don’t so much give us answers to life, as much as they put us in touch with our questions and struggles. And they can even give us visions of truth, goodness, and beauty, even if they don’t come from an essentially Christian point of view (this is what we call common grace).

The apostle Paul encourages the Philippian church to carefully consider (“think about”) whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praise-worthy (Philippians 4:8). Contrary to the way some Christians use this verse to insulate themselves from anything that isn’t obviously and tightly synched up with Christian principles, Paul’s guidance seems, instead, to open us up to all these things wherever they be found. Furthermore, it would seem that “whatever is true”, for instance, could point us to lots of things that are actually very much out of synch with the Christian story. And about such things — yes, we should carefully think.

It is in this light that we embark on Film-Speak, not only to give us an opportunity to speak about films, but also to recognize that films themselves have the capacity to speak to us.

Please join us as we launch this series with the Oscar-winning Life of Pi on Feb. 21. Length: 2 hours, followed by 30 minute discussion. Note: we are particularly interested in having an adult conversation about this film, but certainly if there are parents who think their older children might be interested, they are certainly welcome. This film is rated PG – please consult a film review site of your choice to assess age appropriateness – e.g. commonsensemedia.org. No childcare will be provided this time.