Conversations in Films and in front of the Screen: On the Complexity of the Dialogical Nature of Films Cover Image
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Filmowe rozmowy na ekranie i przed ekranem. O wieloaspektowej dialogiczności filmu
Conversations in Films and in front of the Screen: On the Complexity of the Dialogical Nature of Films

Author(s): Marek Lis
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Film / Cinema / Cinematography, Sociology of Art, Rhetoric
Published by: Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II - Instytut Jana Pawła II, Wydział Filozofii
Keywords: theology of the film; Krzysztof Kieślowski; Ingmar Bergman; Christian movies; Sacrofilm;

Summary/Abstract: The author of the paper analyzes the double nature of cinema dialogues: they are both a message to the viewer and a source of inspiration for discussions among the audience. Since the beginning of the film, the first audiovisual medium, conversation has been an important element of the narration addressed to the viewer. Words heard on the screen provide information about the cinematic world, contribute to the progress of the plot, and are used to create the mood. Film monologues and conversations, sometimes addressing serious existential issues are, in fact, dialogues with the audience, and help grasp meanings the authors of a given film have intended to convey. Examples of such significant conversations can be found in the works by Krzysztof Kieślowski (The Decalogue) or Ingmar Bergman, who approach also ethical and theological questions. The author emphasizes that films as works of (commercial) culture need active audiences capable of creating meanings on their own. Following John Paul II, the author also claims that an important task of media education is to encourage conversation and dialogue among viewers and to make it possible for them to recognize the importance of the film also in the area of religious faith. Such efforts have been undertaken in Poland at the Sacrofi lm festival in Zamość and the Summer Film Academy in Zwierzyniec.

  • Issue Year: 33/2020
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 164-178
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: Polish