Introduction
The interesting thing about films is that they involve the creation of an alternative “world”. In this respect, one might suggest that our ability to be fully absorbed in a filmic “world” requires the acquisition of the same set of virtues (and avoidance of the same set of vices) that enable us to be fully absorbed in the everyday activities of our world. To nurture and develop the capacity of students to contemplate the world of a “film” can therefore serve to foster their capacity to live as contemplatives in the course of their everyday life. Learning how to contemplate the meaning and significance of different films is not just one more means of enhancing the cultural formation and sophistication; rather, it is a means of enhancing our appreciation for the meaning and significance of the world--our world—that we so often take for granted.
Format
The principal venue for the discussion and analysis of films is the Windmoor Film Forum, which takes place on selected evening throughout the academic year.
The quest to discover “what’s a film really about” is at the heart of the Windmoor Film Forum. The Forum will be successful just so far as students that attend the Forum begin to watch films in a different, more reflective manner. The ability to watch films in this way affords us new opportunities for apostolate with our coworkers, friends, family, spouses, and children. Since films are constructed “worlds” modeled off of the “world” shared by the filmmaker and his audience, it should be no surprise that many films grapple with a variety of ethical and religious questions that are salient to the modern individual.
The Forum begins with a short introduction of the important historical, cultural, and thematic features of the film as well as (where applicable) some of its general contrasts with previous films. The Film Forum concludes with a general discussion—more or less get-together style—of what people thought of the film. The discussion would not have any particular agenda other than the attempt by participants to articulate what the film is really about. In other words, the only prerequisite is that participants try to analyze a film without merely narrating the events that took place. The discussion should last no longer than thirty minutes.
The quest to discover “what’s a film really about” is at the heart of the Windmoor Film Forum. The Forum will be successful just so far as students that attend the Forum begin to watch films in a different, more reflective manner. The ability to watch films in this way affords us new opportunities for apostolate with our coworkers, friends, family, spouses, and children. Since films are constructed “worlds” modeled off of the “world” shared by the filmmaker and his audience, it should be no surprise that many films grapple with a variety of ethical and religious questions that are salient to the modern individual.
The Forum begins with a short introduction of the important historical, cultural, and thematic features of the film as well as (where applicable) some of its general contrasts with previous films. The Film Forum concludes with a general discussion—more or less get-together style—of what people thought of the film. The discussion would not have any particular agenda other than the attempt by participants to articulate what the film is really about. In other words, the only prerequisite is that participants try to analyze a film without merely narrating the events that took place. The discussion should last no longer than thirty minutes.