How Faith Shapes Stories: A Look into Film Forming Faith

Inspiration after doing Morality in Movies:

After finishing our work in Morality in Movies I had a strong urge to build upon that foundation, but the question became how should I do that. Prior to creating the course, I had grown frustrated seeing more and more fellow Catholics wanting to follow the lines of our Protestant brothers and sisters in their approach to media. Many of them prefer to exist in an echo chamber of mediocre Christian films, steering clear of R-rated films or anything that would challenge their limited worldview (no blood and gore, no cursing, only soft and happy endings). It reminded me of something a film professor of mine said, “Some Christians will take a G-rated lie over an R-rated truth.” Truth is truth, no matter how you rate it. This outright rejection of a certain kind of truth makes us no better than Satan.

I wanted my next project to serve as a solution to that frustration, but I was not sure what type of project I wanted to do. A blog post or series of blog posts would not be sufficient to answer this annoying trend. Most of the potential audience would know what I sound like and what I look like, so a video would be silly. When I went on a walk with my wife, as we often do, I was discussing my frustrations and debating what the next big project should be. She suggested building upon the work started in Morality in Movies but in a book format. My mind started going with ideas, which would eventually turn into my latest book Film Forming Faith. 

Book format vs video/course

How does one write a book after doing a course on a similar topic? I did not want a textbook repeating the work we had done on Morality in Movies. It would be redundant and a waste of time and energy. I did not want a textbook or a devotional full of movie references (although that could be cool). I considered a study of filmmaking in general, but I do not believe I am quite ready for that yet. After these eliminations, I came up with Film Forming Faith. So what is Film Forming Faith? Beth described this book best as a “film and faith memoir”. What in the world is that? I would best describe this memoir of showing how film helped me understand different aspects of my faith better. It is not a linear story, but I do my best to highlight these revelations using the different films (and Scripture and Catechism) as a way to show the reader how I have come to the understandings I have now.

After coming up with an outline for the book and how I would approach various subjects using some similar frameworks Morality in Movies had, I was able to get to work. The book format would allow me to get into the nitty gritty of each film rather than focus prominently on theological points (don’t worry my theological points are still there and well-cited). In my book, I am able to reference the film more thoroughly and be a little more balanced as far as subjective tastes vs objective analysis. 

After spending so much time and energy on a movie course, one may question why I would do this book anyway. Am I rehashing things from Morality in Movies? This book is not a rehash. For one, I focus on different films and themes (with one exception) and had the opportunity to tie in more of my personal experiences. In addition, the book format allows me a deeper analysis than one can provide in a 20-minute course lesson. In my book, I also had the opportunity to look at more than just the theological points. I analyze the film on its merit from a storytelling standpoint as well as through a Catholic lens using Catechism and Sacred Scripture. While Morality in Movies focused on pointing out morals and themes, Film Forming Faith looks at the craftsmanship of the story such as the depths of the characters and the importance of certain plot points. I am by no means an expert in either films or theology. However, I am well-versed enough in both to speak with adequate authority on both subjects. 

Importance of the hero’s journey

One specific storyline I go back to on the regular in Film Forming Faith is the hero's journey. The hero’s journey was explained in a book by Joseph Campbell called The Hero with a Thousand Faces. There are multiple stages in the hero’s journey that Campbell highlights, and not every journey hits all these beats, but the template is applicable. Heroes are called to action through a traditional call or some kind of incident to entice them to action. Heroes have to face trials. Heroes are subjected to a final test or some kind of transformation. This transformation causes the hero to be changed by the events in the story, and this hero is never the same. 

These steps are usually universal in the hero’s journey. You probably thought of various stories that this applies to. Maybe you had this journey in your own life. Many great stories involve the hero’s journey. This journey allows us to experience the story from our hero’s point of view. It allows us to understand them and their motivations. 

Many critics of films are coming to the conclusion that many modern film writers do not have the slightest clue who or what heroes are. I will admit, I have my doubts as well. The hero’s journey may be considered old hat by modern writers. When you have a relativistic worldview, ideals such as good vs evil or hero vs villain are nothing more than words. This worldview does not translate well into mainstream films. The general audience likes when good triumphs over evil. They like their heroes good and their villains evil. 

Why do heroes even matter? Why do we care about their journeys? Many in our world are asking us these questions. Heroes inspire us to be better than we currently are. They inspire us to do the right thing. Heroes show us that we must overcome obstacles despite the hardships involved. Heroes show us that virtues trump vices. If we do not have heroes, we stay stagnant, become weak and feeble, and are at risk of destruction. 

Heroes encourage us to be brave and face hardships. The Lord called for heroism throughout the Bible. Joshua 1:5-9 says:

“Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the Law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may achieve success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Films I chose

The films I chose to write about were carefully selected with variety in mind. I do mention one film, Return of the Jedi, in both Film Forming Faith and Morality in Movies, but I do not go over the exact same points the exact same way in both works. In Morality in Movies we focused on redemption and how the theme of redemption played out in the film. In Film Forming Faith redemption was present, but I also strongly highlighted the importance of resisting darkness using the elements of craft in film such as character. We know Vader redeems himself (we covered that in Morality in Movies), but what caused Vader to toss the Emperor down the reactor shaft? How did he overcome the darkness within himself? The answers to that can be found through a close reading (or in this case, a close watching) of Vader’s character in Return of the Jedi, which is shared in my book. This is just a simple example of the differences between course and book. 

Throughout the writing process, some of my initial plans and outlines changed. I changed my mind on one chapter in particular after watching one film because I believed the movie illustrated a much better point than what I initially planned. While the films I chose were to my personal, specific tastes, they have enough variety to provide a wide berth of subject matter. The book includes a couple of superhero films, some science fiction, a few thrillers, and a couple of classic films. Each film I chose is very important to me for a specific reason. Plus it is my book, so indulgence in films that interested me was not only expected but encouraged. The films chosen will give you a bit of insight into me as well.

Themes I chose

Certain themes are universal. Certain stories are universal. These themes or stories do not depend on the protagonist being of a certain race, background, or any other characteristic. Christ Himself told stories as a means of evangelization. He met people where they were at with the stories He told to make the points He needed to. Regarding the importance of stories, G.K. Chesterton once said "Fairy tales do not tell us that dragons exist, but that they can be killed". Films are the main method of telling stories now. Films are an effective means of making a point. The main thing I was taught when I was learning screenwriting was “show don’t tell”. The best films show the point they want to make without preaching at the audience. I chose the themes and films featured in Film Forming Faith because they show but don’t tell you what to think. The character’s actions and inactions in the story show us what we need to know. The themes I explore in the book are ones that I believe the corresponding films highlight well.

Why read this book

So as to discontinue tooting my own horn and allow others who have read the book to speak on it, I shall leave you with a sample of the foreword written by my good friend and contributor to this blog, Christopher Immanuel Chance:

“The story of this book is, in fact, a story on the growth of personal virtue through the lens of film and filmmaking. As the reader shall soon discover when reading this book, every film that Stephen discusses will have some philosophical or theological lesson on certain virtues and how one can attain them. The reader might be wondering how a book on films can teach the importance of personal virtue... 

Why should a Catholic draw wisdom from sources outside the boundaries of the Church? The point is that humans, as finite creatures, do not know everything. Not even certified geniuses and revered wunderkinds (i.e., child prodigies) have the fullness of all knowledge. We should not allow pride to take over and assume that we know everything or that we can freely dismiss what other people have to say or offer just because it is outside our frame of reference.

Stephen has his own perspective and wisdom to share with others. His experience in acting and filmmaking, combined with this formal study of films and filmmaking, makes him uniquely qualified to author a book discussing how the medium of film can teach the importance of attaining personal virtue to the audience.”

I hope you find Film Forming Faith an enticing possibility to add to your reading list. If so, I am thankful for your purchase. If not, I hope you find some of our other works worthy to add to your list. If that does not interest you…what in the world are you doing here?

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