light in the darkness
A season of films around this theme in preparation for Advent.
(Light shines in the darkness. Christians believe that the light of Christ will not be overcome by darkness. These films explore darkness in different dimensions; the political, commercial, personal, in grief, guilt and the shadow of Auschwitz. All of them are in their own ways difficult to watch, or to hear. Those in the early stages of grief may find Truly, Madly, Deeply to much to handle. Those who find 'strong language' -as the BBC coyly puts it) will struggle with Precious. Two have subtitles, and that may be difficult for some viewers. When we show films we are responsible to those we invite, so let us be careful, and make clear what people can expect. )
Persepolis; an animated autobiography about a girl’s life under in the Shah’s Persia, during the victory of the Ayatollah, her exile in Paris and return to Tehran – a funny account of dark political times. (Cert 15)
Michael Clayton (George Clooney) has to address corporate darkness and his own complicity in corruption as he seeks justice for a colleague driven to madness by their companies activities. (Cert 15)
In I've Loved You So Long, Kirstin Scott Thomas plays a woman released from prison after 15 years, trying to rebuild her life and relationship with her sister. (In French with subtitles)
I'm a Cyborg is an unsettling romance set in a Korean mental asylum, directed by the celebrated Korean Park Chan-Wook, (Cert 15, subtitles) Precious is abused, rejected, illiterate and dangerously over-weight. This is our toughest film, but is about people’s capacity to learn, grow, and flourish, when their preciousness is recognized. (Cert 15)
Truly Madly Deeply (Julie Stevenson & Alan Rickman) is a passionate story of love, life and death. ‘Ghost for the thinking classe’s, both funny and demanding.
Life is Beautiful in Roberto Benigni’s film, even when Guido’s family is overshadowed by the Holocaust. This Italian film was nominated for 3 Oscars in 1999. (subtitled)
The Fisher King, directed by Terry Gilliam, is as visually fantastic as we would expect, but also a funny and moving story of guilt, grief, love, madness - and free Video club membership.
