Criteria: The Catholic Film Podcast Popcorn with the Pope: Word on Fire on the Vatican Film List
Dec 18, 2023
In this insightful discussion, guests David Paul Baird, an award-winning film critic and theology professor; Fr. Michael Ward, an Oxford-based scholar and Catholic priest; and Andrew Petiprin, a columnist and podcaster, dive into the Vatican Film List and their book, Popcorn with the Pope. They analyze the blend of faith and film, debating whether non-religious directors can craft spiritual narratives. The trio shares standout picks, insights on religious cinema, and what makes a compelling saint film, revealing personal favorites and suggestions for modern updates.
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Vatican List Is A Provocative Sampler
- The Vatican film list is an eclectic, three-part sampling (Religion, Values, Art) meant to prompt reflection rather than a canonical ranking.
- Its odd, human choices invite rediscovery and discussion about cinema and faith.
How The Book Project Began
- David Paul Baird discovered the list via a Polish graduate-school friend named Jago Wojtyla.
- He then recruited Fr. Michael Ward and later Andrew Petiprin to turn that discovery into the book project.
Word On Fire Sparked Renewed Interest
- Word on Fire and Bishop Barron's film commentaries helped resurface interest in the Vatican film list.
- Popular Catholic media provided a gateway for wider engagement with faith and film.
