"Organized alphabetically, this encyclopedia provides more than 90 entries on the larger religious traditions, the major film-producing regions of the globe, the films that have stirred controversy, the most significant religious symbols, and the more important filmmakers. The included topics provid
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e substantially more information on the intersection of religion and film than any of the similar volumes currently available. While the emphasis is on the English-speaking world and the films produced therein, there is also substantial representation of non-English, non-Western film and filmmakers, providing significant intercultural coverage to the topic." (Publisher description)
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"This innovative, interdisciplinary collection of essays by scholars based in Europe and the United States offers stimulating approaches to the role played by religion in present-day South Asia." (Publisher description)
"Ob "Herr der Ringe", "Das Leben der Anderen" oder "Bruce Allmächtig" - in vielen populären Kino-Filmen werden Gott, die Bibel und aktuelle ethische Fragen thematisiert. Doch wie findet man den passenden Film zum jeweiligen religiös-ethischen Thema? Der Autor liefert auf kompakte Art und Weise ei
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nen Überblick über geeignete Filme aus den letzten Jahren bis zur Gegenwart. Neben erfolgreichen Blockbustern überraschen auch einige Independent-Produktionen. Die abwechslungsreiche Filmliste beinhaltet alle Genres und lädt ein, bekannte und noch unbekannte Filme kennen zu lernen." (Verlagsbeschreibung)
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"Part I presents general categories for thinking about the intersection between religion and film, as well as an argument for an emerging line of theoretical inquiry. The chapters in Part II examine the use of film in teaching religious traditions, whether movies are seen from the critical perspecti
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ve of particular religious traditions or are used to teach the traditions themselves. Part III focuses on the use of film in the religious studies classroom, where religion or theories of religion are more generally addressed. Part IV considers the promise and challenge of using films to teach critical perspectives on fundamental human values, whether films are seen as vehicles for bringing stories into the classroom or as powerful indicators of a culture's core values." (Publisher description)
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"From silent films to contemporary blockbusters, religion has always proved a popular theme for the cinema. However, all too often religion and film are discussed from narrowly confessional perspectives, with the result that the field has long been dominated by the question of a film's fidelity to a
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religious text or worldview, or its value as a tool in ministry and mission. 'Religion and Film: An Introduction' seeks to redress this balance, and argues for a new, holistic approach to the subject that draws on work from cultural studies, religious studies and film studies alike." (Publisher description)
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"Drawing a comparison between religion and cinema-going, this text examines a range of contemporary films in relation to key theological concepts. Cinema as a religion-like activity is explored through cognitive, affective, aesthetic and ethical levels, identifying the religious aspects in the socia
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l practice of cinema-going. Written by a leading expert in the field, "Theology Goes to the Movies " analyzes: the role of Cinema and Church in Western culture; the power of Christian symbols and images within popular culture; and, theological concepts of humanity, evil and redemption, eschatology and God." (Publisher description)
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"Increasingly, Pentecostal, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, and indigenous movements all over the world make use of a great variety of modern mass media, both print and electronic. Through religious booklets, radio broadcasts, cassette tapes, television talk-shows, soap operas, and documentary film
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these movements address multiple publics and offer alternative forms of belonging, often in competition with the postcolonial nation-state. How have new practices of religious mediation transformed the public sphere? How has the adoption of new media impinged on religious experiences and notions of religious authority? Has neo-liberalism engendered a blurring of the boundaries between religion and entertainment? The vivid essays in this interdisciplinary volume combine rich empirical detail with theoretical reflection, offering new perspectives on a variety of media, genres, and religions." (Publisher description)
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"Founded on the 22nd of October, 1955, in Paris, by pioneers of Protestant film work, INTERFILM is an international network of Church film and media institutions as well as dedicated individuals with the goal of coordinating dialogues between Church and film. Directed by the terms and aims of the Wo
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rld Council of Churches (WCC), it includes members from the Churches of the Reformation and the Orthodox Churches, but also Jewish people and representatives from the Catholic tradition, insofar as these latter are not active in SIGNIS. The fact that INTERFILM exists is due to the steadfast engagement of far-sighted personalities, and it is high time to finally acknowledge their film-cultural activities with a separate publication. I am pleased that this is possible through international involvement and in different languages, even if we must do without a consistent translation of all of the contributions. It is aimed at focusing the attention of the current INTERFILM members and partners on the journey up to now and at reflecting on the present state of dialogue between Church and film." (Foreword, page 8)
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