Best Practice Blog, Redemptive Films

For many years I have been conducting research and writing about the power of role models in autobiographical stories. I think this work is especially significant today and can bring light into our dark world of personal, national, and international struggles. In redemptive autobiographical stories, we can find inspirational journeys of those who have persevered and overcome against great odds and high stakes. Here are some of my insights about what makes an artistic, redemptive film.

An effective narrative film requires a well-written screenplay, skillful acting, and artful directing. An effective documentary needs similar structural elements and skillful directing. The screenplay and documentary need the following: a unifying concept, universal themes/ideas that are revealed through experience (shown rather than told), a captivating beginning, foreshadowing, building tension, multi-dimensional characters, unpredicted twists and turns, a gripping climax, and a meaningful resolution.

Characters in an authentic and believable film are multi-dimensional. Heroes or heroines are often more fascinating if they overcome internal and external obstacles that are formidable, are underdogs, and/or are the least likely or unanticipated victors. Internal and external opponents and opposing factors must also be multi-dimensional. If the opposing factors are internal and involve difficult experiences and memories, there are multi-dimensional ways to visual these internal opponents in film. Giving internal challenges visual form helps the characters and the audience to process them. The Sensation of Sight powerfully visualizes the internal struggles of the characters. Likewise this movie visualizes Memory and Time in forms that give the characters and audience handles for processing them.

Like internal opponents, opposing environmental or inanimate factors can also be visualized in multi-dimensional ways. For example there are specific kinds of Memory and experience with Time: Generic Memory, Flashbulb Memory, and Engram. Generic Memory involves the blending of personal memories into a generic image of common experiences. Flashbulb Memory involves specific, intense, immediate memories of the circumstances in which one first encountered a consequential event. Epiphanies seem related to this kind of memory. An Engram is an auditory memory. Time can telescope or tunnel. It can warp into different dimensions in the future or past. Memory, time, and experience can move from misperceptions to reality. Further, human opponents and factors can have sympathetic dimensions or reasons related to why they have become harmful, abusive, or evil. Again, there are powerful examples of these techniques in The Sensation of Sight and also in The Soloist.

A good film actor usually displays the following: minimized movement, minimal dialogue, effective listening to other characters, passionate internal commitment, heart-felt empathy with the character, vulnerability, believability, authenticity, subtle non-verbal communication, and compelling eyes.

Artistic directing of narrative or documentary films depends on the following: careful pre-production planning, good equipment, effective film crew, skillful editors, captivating music, artful lighting, and clear sound. The effective cinematographer and director carefully plan each scene to captivate and engage viewers with dramatic, moving, visual elements.

Film in all its forms captures living experience. Unlike other literary, visual, or performing art forms it presents moving, dynamic experiences in and over time that helps us understand and process our lives and those of others. Film largely uses visual, moving images (and music) to engage us.

A redemptive film has an edifying story that reveals universal ideas and lifts the viewer from negativism, cynicism, and/or pessimism to what is positive, renewing, and hopeful. Although, it presents honest, difficult struggles, it turns what is paralyzing, degrading and debilitating to what is freeing, beautiful and eternal.

There is an early example of outstanding film documentary work on art in the context of the history of the rise and fall of thought and culture in Western Civilization from the Christian perspective. These films present Dr. Francis Schaeffer's brilliant scholarship.

A Christmas Carol

There are many wonderful versions of this classic redemptive story with riveting performances by great actors. One of the most current features Jim Carrey, who likes performing in Christmas and redemptive films.

One of the best in redemptive movies is The Hiding Place. Among its respected actors are Julie Harris and Jeannette Clift George, as the ten Boom sisters. This powerful film depicts the true story of the ten Boom Family who responded to the Holocaust with Christian love, courage, and forgiveness. It is suspenseful. The main character, Corrie ten Boom, is multi-faceted, vulnerable, and honest. She develops throughout the story in unpredictable, captivating ways.

The Lord of the Rings films are based on the acclaimed writings of J. R. Tolkien. These films have in them the finest of film actors, whose acting is powerful in these films. They are directed by highly respected Peter Jackson. The cinematography is spectacular.
The use of computer graphics is masterful. The stories and the films deal with great universal truths. The leading characters are ironic, passionate, and heroic. They are multi-faceted and significantly develop over time. These films are entertaining, enlightening, and inspirational.

The Disney Corp. films of the C. S Lewis' literary masterworks are stunning in story, structure, and style. They are masterpieces of adventure, characters, and redemption. C. S. Lewis, who was in the same writing circle as J. R. Tolkien, has used the fantasy genre, like Tolkien, skillfully and powerfully for all ages. His characters are multi-faceted and develop through time. The films are powerful and redemptive depictions of the epic, spiritual struggle of good and evil.

A Man for All Seasons

In this autobiographical, historic story Sir Thomas More believes that it is of no value to gain the world and lose one's soul. Consequently, he stands up to Henry VIII. Among the array of great talent in this film is Paul Scofield as More and Orson Wells as Cardinal Woolsey. This film has won six Oscars and many other awards.

The acting in this film is outstanding by some of the best British film actors. Albert Finney's portrayal of John Newton is riveting. The story of William Wilberforce's perseverance and self-sacrifice to end the British slave trade is powerfully inspirational.
See http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454776/ .

Lilies of the Field

This delightful film features Sidney Poitier. The movie has won an Oscar and many other awards. This entertaining film has wonderful unexpected comedic moments. It is inspirational and captivating from beginning to end. It depicts faith and perseverance against great odds.

Les Miserables

This great story can be seen in many fine versions with many great actors. It is one of the greatest stories of the development of unconditional love against great struggles, political and personal.

This highly rated film of redemptive, unconditional love and grace is moving and uplifting. See trailers and the free documentation license on http://www.bellamoviesite.com/ .

This moving autobiographical story humanizes homeless individuals, especially those who struggle with mental illnesses. It is based on the true story of a healing, redemptive friendship between L.A. journalist, Steve Lopez, and gifted, schizophrenic musician, Nathaniel Ayers. The acting of Robert Downing Jr. and Jamie Foxx is captivating and heart-grabbing. See http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0821642/.

This sensitive, thoughtful, independent film about loss and need for connection is unique, redemptive, and inspirational. David Straithhairn is a moving, meaningful actor, who is deeply connected to the story. See the trailer, blog, and notes- http://www.thesensationofsight.com/.
See the discussion of the philosophy behind Either or Films and Sensation of Sight on Christianity Today.

The Blind Side

Sandra Bullock plays well a real life Steel Magnolia, who develops in character as she provides for the neglected Gentle Giant, Michael Oher in The Blind Side. Jae Head, as S. J. Tuoghy, is especially delightful as he is juxtaposed to Quinton Aaron as Michael Oher. The Blind Side is entertaining, uplifting, and meaningful. The comedy has audiences laughing and crying in theaters across the nation. This film encourages us to value all human relationships at a time when we especially need this inspiration.

It is refreshing to see a true story about real Christian people in Michael Oher's family and school, who learn to demonstrate unconditional love and support that leads Michael, who formerly had many odds against him, to wonderful success in his life. I am adding this movie to my list of effective, enlightening, and entertaining redemptive movies. Thank you, Sandra Bullock, cast, crew, and real personalities in the story of The Blind Side. This film is a holiday gift to those that see it.

Interview with director about putting real Christians on the screen.

Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin on HBO is an inspirational and redemptive film with fine acting. Claire Danes is remarkable as Temple Grandin. In this movie the audience sees that Temple, who is autistic, is not disabled but abled differently and brilliantly. This heartfelt film has been filmed in the Austin area. Regional talent, including many University of Mary Hardin-Baylor film students, alumni, and faculty, have been cast for multiple scenes with Claire Danes, Julia Ormond, Catherine O'Hara, and David Straithairn in this film about Dr. Temple Grandin. There are many close-ups of UMHB film students in scenes with Claire and David. The students perform well as Temple's classmates.

Aesthetic Elements in Screenwriting

Whether films are documentary or narrative, like the examples above, here are some of the same, significant aesthetic principles
that are apparent in effective, compelling documentary filmmaking and screenwriting: