I'm probably going to be involved in running the film section of an event called student.evolution (which for those of you who know is the student version of Spring Harvest). Its a similar thing to what I did at Easter last time. I was wondering about films I could show that vaguely tied in with the theme of the week, that were fairly recent, and over the four films I get to show / discuss I'd like to get a breadth of popular / arty films.

So last year the theme was Grace and I showed Changing Lanes (think absence of), Punch Drunk Love, Three Colours: Blue, and Bruce Almighty.

This year its based on Daniel and the theme of the main adult event (which the student wing will follow to some extent) is "Sing the Lord's song in a strange land", although I'm more familiar with it phrased as the question from Psalm 137v4 "How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?"

Anyway, there's a number of ideas I've had, partly in response to how the Israelites answered that question.

So far I've been thinking of

To End All Wars (Christian values lived out in an alien culture)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (partly cos its a popular film with deep isssues, but I think thematically it works too)
Waking Life (not so much to do with Ps137, but more to do with Daniel as a dreamer - which I'm fairly sure whill be one place the Student event diverts too)

I'm going to add to this list as I think of ideas. FWIW More people came to the discussion of Bruce Almighty than all the others put together (especially the 3 colours discussion which got 3 people!)

What I think I'd really like was a film that captured something of Jeremiah's advice (Jer 29v5-7) which the a proportion of the israelites seemed to follow...

"Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food you produce. Marry, and have children. Then find spouses for them, and have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of Babylon."

In other words retaining their distinctiveness whilst immersing themselves in the culture they were assimilated into. But I've not thought of anything like that yet - so any ideas would be useful.

Ta

Matt

P.S. I was also thinking about trying to sneak in an extra non-discussed showing of "Son of Man" on the last night, just cos I was struck last year by the number of people doing "Jesus at the Movies" type modules as part of their degrees.

That's very groovy, Matt. I haven't been to student.evolution (I was a good UCCF boy) but I've really been liking the programmes they've been putting together for the past couple of years.

Probably not what you're after but my first thought on reading this was The Wicker Man. Not recent but thanks to the renaissance of Christopher Lee is certainly a lot more approachable for modern audiences. But I'll try harder!

Phil.

Hmmm...probably too artsy, but Babette's Feast could tie in there. Actually most Danish films I'm thinking of (Ordet, Dogville) have a connection to faithfulness while alienated. If people didn't jump up for Three Colors, this would really send them away.

The Sixth Sense

Sling Blade

Chariots of Fire

Stalker !!!!! <----

(Make sure to plug this website! I can send you an entertaining PowerPoint presentation to play between movies that will plut the Top100 if you like.)

Yeah we'll have to remember that this year.

Matt

Bummer - just found out that they've had to slim down their programme this yer so the film stuff has been scratched.

C'est La Vie

Matt

Sorry to hear that, Matt!

Matt,

What a rough couple months for you and things getting cancelled. I'm sorry that you've been disappointed so often.

Yeah well, some you win, some you lose I guess. Thanks for your replies though. Means a lot.

Matt