Faith based movies are a type of film genre where religion plays a major role in the story line. They are usually centered around religious events or stories. The main characters often go through some sort of spiritual journey.
Faith-based movies are very popular these days. There are several reasons why they are so successful. First, faith-based movies are extremely relatable because they deal with real-life issues.
Second, they are entertaining and fun to watch. Third, they are also educational because they teach us about our faith and morals.
There are several types of faith-based movies. These include: Christian movies, Jewish movies, Muslim movies, etc. Each of them has its own unique characteristics.
For example, Christian movies tend to focus on the relationship between God and man. On the other hand, Jewish movies are centered around the relationship between Jews and their God.
Faith Based Movies – Son of God (2014)
Have you seen Noah yet? In April, we reported on Darren Aronofsky’s 3D feature film. A whole series of film adaptations is just beginning with Noah, which retells Christian stories with modern, digital means.
So-called “Faith-Based Movies” in German, faith-based films. What is behind the new genre?
“Bible fever” has broken out in Hollywood. Many productions of Bible film adaptations run in parallel to each other. So in December 2014, you will see Christian Bale as Moses on the big screen.
Director Ridley Scott is filming the exodus of the Jews from Egypt. The title is Exodus. Will Smith has been planning the film adaptation of Cain and Abel with vampires for some time-at least that’s what you read on Hollywood news portals.
The film “Son of God” a reconstruction of the life and passion of Jesus of Nazareth is currently enjoying surprising success in the USA; it has already brought in twice the production costs.
The Jesus actor sports a six-pack, a seductive gaze, and crisp tan skin. Oh my god, I love you.
What’s going on in Hollywood? Has anyone given directors and producers a halo? Looking at the directors’ biographies, their interest in religious topics is surprising:
Will Smith is assumed to be close to Scientology. In an interview, Ridley Scott calls religion “the origin of evil”. Aronofsky, the director of Noah, is an atheist.
And yet they are enthusiastic about the stories in the Bible. For example, Aronofsky, for example, has been interested in the story of Noah since seventh grade and has been planning to bring it to life in a film ever since.
Faith Based Movies: The Term Plays a Big Role in Hollywood
He also appears on many blogs and websites. Even if there is still no definition for the emerging genre of faith-based movies, there are features that set it apart from classic Bible films.
Peter Hasenberg, film consultant for the German Bishops’ Conference, observed this in the film Noah:
“It’s a somewhat unusual film adaptation of the Bible, because it doesn’t just take the Bible as a basis, but also adds something of its own, so it’s more of a kind of fantasy film with a certain Biblical element.”
Although the Bible is a source of inspiration, it is interpreted very freely. Rather, the focus of the film is the belief in oneself, which is expressed with plenty of effects and fantasy elements.
“The idea was to reinvent film for the 21st century,” says Aronofsky. “Effects and opportunities to make a film like this have exploded.
You might be surprised that Noah isn’t just about that childhood tale. It is a powerful story about the weaknesses of humanity. “
Star actors are usually recruited for leading roles. In addition, there is also a portion of zeitgeist in faith based movies: in Aronofsky’s film, for example, Noah is a vegan and an environmentalist.
A current trend in which many moviegoers find themselves Vampires, as actor and director Will Smith apparently wants to use them, have been extremely popular again since “Twilight”.
Last but not least, faith based movies should appeal to everyone. “The film should offer something for both believers and non-believers,” says Aronokfsy of Noah.
But the genre of “Faith-Based Movies” is controversial. Actor and director Will Smith’s alleged idea of connecting vampires to the story of Cain and Abel has already been mocked by many online voices.
What on earth is he thinking about putting a vampire twist on a Bible story? “Tasha Ruff tweeted.
And the current USA blockbuster “Son of God” is not only described by critics as wooden and naive-it also triggered a debate under the hashtag # hotjesus about how sexy Jesus can be.
Is so much sexiness necessary? “, asks influential entertainment magazine Variety.
Plenty of criticism has also rained down on Aronofsky’s Noah. Film critics hated that Aronofsky twisted the Bible text and invented stone monsters to make the film more exciting. Christian organizations in the United States see the film as a waste of $150 million.
In the USA, however, the numbers speak for themselves: the combination of zeitgeist, fantasy and Bible stories attracts a wide audience there and makes the box office ring.
In the course of the year, we will see whether “Faith-Based Movies” will also hit Europe and bring new fans to the Bible with fantasy and special effects.
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