Liverpool (Alonso, 2008) SLIFF – 2009
Alonso’s Liverpool plays at the 2009 St. Louis International Film Festival.
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The Revivification of Racial Reconciliation: Peter Heltzel’s Jesus and Justice, an Engagement with Evangelicals, Justice, and Race
A review of Peter Goodwin Heltzel’s JESUS AND JUSTICE, a book that traces the historical legacy of evangelicalism, particularly in the wake of Martin Luther King Jr. and Carl F. H. Henry; describes the impact of this legacy on four contemporary evangelical organizations; and suggests new ways of understanding race and political life in America.
O God, Where Art Thou? A Review of A Serious Man
In this review, John Totten considers the Coen brothers’ latest film, A SERIOUS MAN, and how it speaks to our understanding of life and God.
Soul Food Unintentional Film Festival: Vancouver BC, Nov 24-30
With films representing five countries and directors as diverse as Andrei Tarkovsky, Douglas Sirk, Lee Isaac Chung and the Coen brothers, this spontaneous festival of “films with a spiritual flavour” steals the cinematic spotlight from New York and even St. Louis. Organizers of the 2010 Winter Olympics express concern that the event “may draw focus” from their upcoming icy athlete-o-rama.
The First Midrash SLIFF Jury Prize Winner…
I was happy to be part of the institution of a new annual award at the St. Louis International Film Festival called the Midrash St. Louis Film Award. Last night we went to the gala award ceremony and were happy to present a sizable cash prize to Chris Grega, director of the indomitable Game of […]
Fearless Speech, Courageous Eyes: A Theological Engagement with Freedom of Expression
In this essay, philosopher James K. A. Smith considers the theological implications of free speech in dialogue with Michel Foucault, cinema verité, and the award winning film, BURMA VJ. This essay was given as a lecture at the 2009 Film, Faith, and Justice Forum in Seattle, WA on October 16th, 2009.
Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' By Sapphire
Moving past the “inspiration” film to the unsanitized story.
Racism, Art, and the Darkness of Truth: An Interview with Barry Moser
In this interview, artist Barry Moser discusses racism, religion, and working amidst mystery.
Game of The Year (Grega, 2009) SLIFF – 2009
Quotability is rarely used as a critical yardstick, but sometimes the shoe just fits. Films like The Big Lebowski, The Blues Brothers, or Office Space achieved their hallowed fandom aura so easily because of the way they become instantly portable. “Ah, ah, I almost forgot…I’m also going to need you to go ahead and come […]