In my post announcing the formation of the Arts & Faith Ecumenical Jury, I stated that I hoped we would “enlarge or expand the perception of what is meant by either labeling a film a ‘Christian’ film or suggesting that it should be of interest to Christian audiences.”
I’d say we did that.
UPDATE: This jury is *not* affiliated with SIGNIS/Interfilm in any way. Between 2014 and 2019, The Arts & Faith website was owned by and affiliated with Image Journal.
These results reflect a diversity of taste and sensibility, suggesting that the jury took seriously its mandate to consider all the nominations and to honor intelligence, heart, and artistry. The list of winners includes foreign language films, one documentary, an animated classic, a pair of Hollywood studio films, and some deeply personal indie gems. Two of the films focus on clergy and one on a novice nun.
Perhaps surprisingly–given that we had only one female juror–four of the films are headlined by actresses and are about women’s experiences. It is a common refrain in Evangelical circles that the Christian audience feels shut out at the movies, without choices at the multiplex or rental kiosk that engage issues of religion, faith, or spirituality in a positive, provocative, or entertaining manner.
We disagree.
The jury nominated over sixty films for consideration and then faced the daunting task of winnowing down that rich field to the ten films we felt were most worthy of recognition. You may not agree with all of these choices. I confess with chagrin that I gave one of these winners a thumb’s down in my initial assessment. But juries make you stop and think, and maybe, just maybe, see things in a different light. I can’t wait to share with you our jurors’ thoughts about the films we chose…and to hear your responses. Ready? For an appreciation, click on the title below:
1) Two Days, One Night
2) Ida
5) Calvary
7) The Babadook
9) Noah
10) Fury