Criteria: The Catholic Film Podcast Pope Pius XII on The Ideal Film, Pt. 2 (Church Teaching on Cinema)
Aug 13, 2024
The discussion dives into Pope Pius XII's vision for cinema, exploring how films can communicate truth, goodness, and beauty. They highlight the challenge of depicting religious themes authentically and the pitfalls of religious interpretations that lack lived experience. The conversation reflects on the secular trends in mid-century cinema and the responsibilities of artists, critics, and theater managers. Additionally, they tackle how film can portray evil without glamorizing it and the importance of film in shaping societal values, emphasizing moral obligations for creators.
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Film's Role With Truth, Goodness, Beauty
- Pius XII says film can convey the transcendentals: truth, goodness, and beauty within its limits.
- Filmmakers must respect intrinsic limits where certain realities resist scenic representation.
Absence Of Religion Is A Moral Message
- Pius XII warns that films that omit any sign of God or believers can be spiritually harmful.
- Thomas Mirus and Nathan Douglas note secularism often becomes the assumed worldview in mainstream films.
Authentic Piety Resists Theatrical Display
- Pius XII: genuine religious feeling resists artificial display and cannot be declaimed.
- Religious interpretation on screen often lacks the stamp of an experience truly lived, making it hard to share with spectators.
