Brazil by Terry Gilliam
For those of you who missed it, our last Friday night movie was the extremely funny (and extremely disturbing) Sci-fi masterpiece Brazil. Terry Gilliam (of Monty Python fame) uses a potent combination of humor and perception to hold up a mirror and ask us if we like what we see. This is not unlike Fannery O'Conner's writing style. The fact is that we don't like what we see in the mirror and humor is the one way that we can stand to look at ourselves long enough to come to any lasting conclusions. In literary terms this kind of humor is called "grotesque". Framed in this way the truth can be compelling no matter how unflattering it may be. And since looking away doesn't seem to be an option, laughing is one way to come to terms with what we are watching. At it's best The Simpsons have mastered this kind of truth-telling.
So does that make Brazil or The Simpsons Christian? According to Flannery O'Conner; whether something is or isn't Christian relies soley on it's ability to "speak the truth". But I think for discussions it's probably best not to ask that question at all. Better to ask;" does it speak truth?... and is my response to the truth I see a Christian response. James talks about the man who looks in The mirror and then "...once he has gone away he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was." (Ja 1:24)
Historically it has been the Artist in society who has played the role of holding up the Mirror.
posted by Sleeper at 4:23 AM
2 Comments:
Thanks for commenting! ... and coming to the films. I'm really excited about this weekly venue. I know right now it reflects primarily my personal tastes (highly suspect to say the least), but the longer we do this the more we'll branch out into other areas. Quite honestly; I'm looking forward to show some of your recommendations as well.
I love Jimi's example of her family discussing films on the long ride home from the theater. Hopefully we can use these films as a springboard for discussing "truth"; first because we belong to the human race and have a need to come to terms with this stuff, and second because we subscribe to a faith that calls us to be honest with God and with ourselves.
If nothing else the artswhen measured against an understanding of Scripture, can play a major role in helping to correct our vision.
i suppose it shouldn't be too surprising that the western world is influenced by christian elements. After all christianity has had a significant role to play in our history. But it has not been the christian church that has forced society to look at itself and take stock of itself. As you said, it has usually been the artists.
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