Montag, 10.September 2007
Montreal, Canada -September Dawn was the first film to be screened in competition at the Festival des Films du Monde, held in Montreal, Canada, 23 August to 3 September 2007. Directed by Christopher Cain (USA), the film recounts the murder on 11 September 1857 of a God-fearing and peaceful group of men, women and children travelling from Arkansas and Missouri to seek a new life in California.
This true story is told from the point of view of fanatical Mormons run out of Missouri a decade earlier, and in the context of rumours that US President Buchanan is about to depose Brigham Young, their leader and Territorial Governor. Church members are told that shedding innocent blood is no crime when they are, in fact, helping believers to atone for their sins and enter heaven.
As film critic Ted Fry commented in The Seattle Times (24 August 2007), ‘This well-documented incident has always been a thorn in the side of the Mormon church, especially intimations that Brigham Young… ordered the killings. The movie does a fine job of staging and executing horrifying scenes that depict the established facts of the event. It also takes the clear position that Young… did give the command, however oblique, for “blood atonement” of the “Gentile” settlers crossing Mormon territory.’
Unfortunately, September Dawn was not on the viewing list for participants attending the ‘Talk Film, Talk Faith’ seminar organized by Interfilm and supported by WACC. Resonating with today’s concerns about religious fundamentalisms the world over, the film would have offered a useful starting point for discussions that began with a history of motion picture ratings led by Jim Wall, former editor in chief of The Christian Century. The seminar continued with an exploration of the notion of cinema as a ‘sanctuary’ where people can dialogue with themselves (and others) about human and spiritual questions affecting their lives.
Seminar participants gathered 24-27 August 2007 to see six of the 20 films in competition at the festival, to learn about the work of ecumenical juries at such events, and to discuss what they have seen in the broader context of religious faith and society. They were unanimous in their praise for the film Ben X (Belgium-Netherlands, 2007) directed by Nic Balthazar.
Described as ‘the compelling and moving story of a young man and his special friendship towards a girl he becomes acquainted with in his favourite online game’, Ben X captivated viewers with its extraordinary storyline, the panache of the director’s debut feature film, and its wonderful dénouement. At its first screening it received a standing ovation. In an exercise that mimicked the work of the Ecumenical Jury, seminar participants did not hesitate to award it ‘their’ prize.
‘Talk Film, Talk Faith’ will be held again in August 2008. It is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to take part in the excitement of seeing new films and to discuss how directors tackle the great themes of life.
Report by Philip Lee, WACC, facilitator for the 2007 ‘Talk Faith, Talk Film’ seminar.