Theology & Film - Podcast Lecture 9

Adventuring into the city, Kate Tennikoff and Drea Daniels met together with Australian actor Veronica Sywak to take a look at the unique challenges faced by those in the film industry and to discuss her new film, The Jammed, which is currently showing around the country. NB: This podcast was recorded on Sydney University lawn, so there is a bit of background noise to contend with, as well as Kate's not-so-experienced interviewing skills.

For your podcast assignment this week, after listening to the podcast below, as well Ben McEachen's review of Dogville (they're both short), comment on the role that films such as these play in contemporary society.

Download film_lecture_nine.mp3

Comments

[Alice McCallum]

although i did not see the film dogville, films such as jammed, dogville and even dancer in the dark confront the issues of society which are so often pushed under the table out of fear that there is nothing we can do. The reality of these films challenge the audience to get a grasp of the things and the injustice that is happening around the world and in our own backyards. It causes the audience to think about what is happening and raises the question 'what can i do about it?' I think that films such as this play a vital role in ontemporary society as a challenge for people to step out of their 'perfect, ideal and innocent world' and get a taste of reality and be driven to do something about it. Often hearing about these issues is not enough of a motivation, but 'seeing is believing' and films truly put the issues into perspective and drive people to action.

[Rachel Haynes]

These movies are unique because they go beyond just telling a story but deal with issues that often times are unseen or even avoided as they make us uncomfortable and we often times are unsure of how to deal with them. I believe that if we allow ourselves to become unlearned and naïve to these realities in life, then we live in a false reality thus I think films such as these are valuable yet I also feel that if one can’t handle to watch it that’s alright as well. (Just don’t avoid the issues altogether and pretend that they don’t exists) I think the role these films have in our contemporary society is show us the truth of what goes on in our world and at the end of the day hopefully motivate change.

[Haakon Skaug]

I don’t know how many movies I have watched in my lifetime, but it has been a few... When I’m looking back, what I realize is that the movies I actually remember, and the movies that has impacted me are movies like these. Der Untergang(The Downfall), Lilja Forever and Hotel Rwanda are examples of this. Together with Dogville and The Jammed they make us uncomfortable, and we don’t really know if we want to see them or not. They leave us with tears in our eyes, and sometimes even a bit irritated, because they are so in our face. But we should see them. As long as we stay in our comfort zone nothing will change, and life will go on as before. Especially as Christians this should trigger us. The church is meant to be the answer to what we see in these movies.

We need uncomfortable movies, and we need them to paint the true picture, not the perfect facade we are trying to hide behind. And as long as they do this, they both can and should have a place in our society.

[Mitchell Bailey]

Both Dogville and The Jammed are revealing films in that they deliberately expose that which is normally veiled in our 21st century culture and also confronting in the sense that they bring their message to our attention in a way which makes us question ourselves in how we respond to it. Unfortunately all three films (Dogville, Dancer in the Dark and The Jammed) have not hit mainstream audiences (because, as Chris has already mentioned, the movie industry is an economy of entertainment) and thus the audience who seek these films out would possibly already have some existing awareness of the issues raised by the films.

Films such as the Lars von Trier trilogy and The Jammed (based on Kate's interview with Veronica) have an advantagous position not shared by the news media in being able to comment on contemporary issues allegorically so as to distance themselves from both geography and real people/events. These films serve as a reminder that there is still a place in modern culture for people to be able to tell a story that is not fundamentally about entertainment but about bringing the unattractive and raw parts of our civilisation to the foreground to raise awareness, foster discussion and ideally motivate a change in the culture it is addressing.

[Stephen Morris]

I think coming down to the fundamentals believe that these movies increase our awareness and address 'the human condition' - We are people who do good and evil.

I believe we are inherintly good, but have a sinful nature. As said in the last podcast we are the victims of original sin who suffer, but also become perpetrators of sin and the cycle continues and becomes more vicious as it continues.

Sin's consequence is destruction of relationship (with God and people) however Sin actually is our unfaithfullness to a divine order of humility and servanthood through love (exemplified in the trinity).

Its an issue that neeeds to be discussed, understood, rediscussed and refined continually. The world will never change, without the thoughts of individuals changing. From revelation the heart has the ability to put understanding into action. However it is a individuals choice. And that choice starts with Gods saving grace, a savior, a redeemer and an empowerer to choose.

[Annette Hansen]

What a refreshing pod-cast! I listened to it last night and when I fell asleep I dreamt that I was on the cast for that movie and met the lady you were interviewing. I say this to explain that I (apparently) found the conversation very interesting, and I’d definitely want to go and see the movie. I strongly agree with Veronica in saying that Film in society is a powerful tool to present new ideas and to bring information about subjects and “issues” that so easily drown in our society’s ocean of self-obsession. It is no secret this thought that dwells with me: What a life it would be to be able to be the voice of that which is not heard, and present it relevantly communicated to our society, through the medium of Film……

[Daniel Sailer]

The positive and perhaps a bit idealistic me believes that through those movies we can change and make a difference. I hope that displaying the truth can make people stand up and change situations.
But the negative in me realizes that this won't be enough. Just watching "The Jammed" won't change the person. But thankfully a percentage of the viewers starts to act on it.

[Gudrun Sveinsdottir]

Movies such as Dogville and The Jammed are such eye openers to people who watch them. We see issues that face society that we are usually not aware of, such as sex slaves, rape and prostitution. I believe movies like this help us realize that this is the reality for some people, even in Australia! Maybe watching them also makes us want to help. However, knowing how to help is hard and complicated, as, like Kate and Veronica discussed, it can be dangerous for people who want to help people in those situations directly. I highly recommend the movie Lilja 4-ever (Lilya 4-ever is the english title I think)as it is such an eye opener when it comes to sex trade. You should all watch it...

[Brendon O'Reilly]

Dogville was a movie that opened many peoples eyes to what really goes on in the world. Is it possible to say i liked the movie however did not enjoy watching it? These sort of films are good films to view once, when you have seen it once you dont need to watch it again. At first i didnt like how all the walls where white lines etc, until it got me thinking this is a reflection of how God sees the world, no walls to hide behind everything in sight! interesting! Another interesting thing i found was that the main character Nicole Kidman (Grace) was an interesting name due to the fact that she was taken advantage of... So many people are like this today take advantage of the free gift without acknowledging the price!

[Ann-Elise]

Both films in one way or another look at issues involing the oppression and objectivisation of women, and the silence of society in the face of such injustice.

However, the role they play in society is an issue that I think could be questioned. The directors are most likely trying to raise awareness, to spark thought, and to hopefully influence culture.
Do they succeed at this?
I must admit, by behaviour has not been influenced by watching Dogville. I was disturbed by parts of it, remain puzzled by others, but other than inspiring a series of random thoughts, the film has had no impact on my life.

Hearing Veronica Sywak discuss her role in Jammed I am inspired by her passion for acting and her her perceived responsibility to make a difference in society. Hearing her passion was for me much more influential than watching Dogville and I would like to see Jammed if I can. However, other than raising awareness I honestly dont think that film has much of a role in our society. I dont necessarily think that it can have. Why?
Not because I think film isnt a powerful medium, on the contrary it is one of the most powerful mediums that I think there is in contemporary western society. However, these sort of films do not appeal to the average cinema attendee. How many people out for a quiet friday night want to see Dogville? As such, a film is only as influential as the actions of the audience. Independent art films have a very limited audience, and most likely much of this audience already posesses some form of social conscience....

[paul]

I think that both The Jammed and Dogville act as poignant social commentaries upon the societies in which they seek to portray. They discuss, through the medium of film, the reality of human nature, issues of redemption and freedom, and other deep issues which other film makers, authors and journalists may be afraid to touch. Their role is certainly to provoke, to stir, to illicit a response on behalf of those who view the film, and the viewers who watch the film actually engage with the film in such a unique way, such that now with the new knowledge they now possess, they too are actors in this social commentary. Their response by change in lifestyle is the continued chapter as to how the film plays out in real life.

[Wee Kim Suan]

The stageplay on Dogsville was brillant and creative. It reflect the transparency of our daily life and how each character plays their roles in a quiet community. As the drama unfolds when Grace enter their lives, each lives were impact and brings out the worst of their inner character, which I found it disturbing. Its a wakeup call for us to question ourselves as we are surrounded with this injustice soceity. Our soceity are likened to the people in this film and how do we respond to such situation can be a challenge to our faith.
Our small voice can make a big different to those who were oppressed and down trodden. The grace that God had redeem us from death is enough for us to stand up for injustice around us and do something for them. Its really sad to see how people can take advantage of grace when offered to them.This film potray how soceity can be so evil at the expanse of other when at their mercy.

[Lovina Triman]

Movies such as Dogville and Jammed do encourage people to be faced with very challenging issues through a comfortable setting; the audience is open to be challenged with new ideas and concepts as they watch movies. Moreover movies enable the viewer to have issues fully explained to them giving them a deeper understanding. There is also a pushing of boundaries when people view movies, they see things and issues that are not known or addressed in normal life and the viewer may not have even chosen to address them before but in a film context it is easier to address those issues.