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Making conneXions
Some two dozen people have come together in a church building on a Saturday evening to discuss the theme of redemptive violence in a popular film. Is violence all right if the bad guy is killed in the end? Are they supposed to feel good about that? "You can tell by the questions people are asking that these issues are really important to them," said Vic Thiessen, director of the London Mennonite Centre, who leads regular film discussions at a local church. The film nights provide crucial connections; they connect people to each other, and they help people see how the issues in films connect with issues in their own lives. In turn, Thiessen's role as discussion leader is one way he connects with people. Thiessen’s film nights typically draw an age group that would roughly be defined as Generation X-ers: people in their 30s and 40s who are often facing midlife issues. "They’re trying to grapple with some of these issues," Thiessen said. "I think that’s partly what draws that age group—the need for community to share frustrations and crises. "We all have a desperate need for community," he said. "Film is an art form that allows us to dig deeply into ourselves. Talking about it together afterward makes it a very social experience." Also in this issue: Features Highlights Highlights |
