ruah arts group

Grab a tissue.

 Then see it.

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You are invited to a special pre-screening of THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE in New York.

Date: Saturday, October 20, 2007
Time: 8pm sharp
Where: Kellenberg Memorial High School
           1400 Glenn Curtiss Blvd., Uniondale, NY 11553
           Google map

The Trailer can be viewed here.
The Official Website of the film can be seen here.

The evening promises to be a celebration of life.

Please RSVP to clifford@grassrootsfilms.com
with your name, address & contact information, and the names & number of guests you will be bringing.

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It’s official: Grassroots Films is coming to Madison to premiere their first feature film, “The Human Experience,” a docu-drama about meaning, life, joys and sufferings–the gift that is discovered by experience in the journey.

Synopsis:

From Grassroots Films of Brooklyn, New York comes THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE– the story of a band of brothers who travel the world in search of the answers to the burning questions: Who am I? Who is Man? What is the meaning of life? Their journey brings them into the middle of the lives of the homeless on the streets of New York City, the orphans and disabled children of Peru, and the abandoned lepers in the forests of Ghana. What the young men discover changes them forever. They are captivated by the joyand love that they encounter; they are awakened to the beauty of the human person and the resilience of the human spirit. Along with one on one interviews with experts and amateurs from all walks of life, THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE weaves both commentary and drama into a deep reflection on what it means to be human. 

Tuesday, November 6th 7pm 

Madison Museum of Contemporary Art Lecture Hall downtown

This event is free (!) but a free will offering will be taken up to offset the costs of screening it at a lux location. Seat reservation for the 230 seats is first come, first serve online. This should be set up by the end of the week.

If you would love to be involved with this event, either by promoting it (email, putting up posters), praying for the fruits or with a donation, email Jessica at ruahfellowship@gmail.com.

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Friday September 14th at 7pm at Casa Smith

The feast of the Exaltation of the Cross is days away, and John and I thought a Cross-themed movie would be appropriate.  To add to the glory of the Cross, the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum (read:the declaration by B16 that cut the red tape on celebration of the Tridentine Mass) is effective Friday (not a motu too soon!), and we’ll be hopefully hearing a lot more of that universal lingua around. See here for some commentary on the Motu Proprio. I sense good conversations on the cross, stigmata, liturgy and other signs of contradiction. Boo-ya. And also there will be Padre Pio Movie Trivia and prizes. Sweet.

“Padre Pio: Miracle Man” is a beautifully shot film about the Italian Stigmatic Franciscan Priest who defied the rationalism and materialism of the twentieth century with his very presence, suffering and miraculous gifts. ( See Bishops’ Conference review here or the Ignatius Press Description Here.) It got mixed reviews–some loved it, some hated it–but we’ve seen it and were both moved by it, giving us a spark to love this 20th century supernatural powerhouse of a saint.

Note the length of the movie–just over three hours–but it’s worth it. Come also for fun, food and prizes. Bring your own pillows and blankets.

Casa Smith:

5700 Highland Way, #206/ Middleton

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Fr. Dwight Longnecker, Oxford convert #76, 443, posts some striking thoughts on the individualistic, inward-turning nature of modern art, and how cinema breaks the (post) modern art mold:

Modern art is all about iconoclastic, individual nihilism. There is nothing communal about it, and certainly nothing integrated with the other arts, and nothing religious.Film is different though. By it’s very nature film has to be created by a community of people. Making a film is team effort. Furthermore, it integrates the seven ancient forms of art in a way no other art form ever has. With the possible exception of astronomy the seven art forms are woven together in film. The fact that film is a popular art form shows that it is also communal, and since the films are global in their distribution the communal aspect of a great film affects virtually the whole human race. Finally, many films are, in the largest sense, religious. In other words, they deal with the big moral questions, the big questions of who we are, what our lives mean and what our ultimate destiny might be.

It is very interesting how making and seeing movies can be so communal and thus life changing. Remember the cast of “The Ring” series? They bonded so much in that whole experience that they all became dear friends, even getting the same tattoo. Albeit, most movies aren’t shot in threes on location in New Zealand, but the cinematic world does seem to have a powerful impact on people. After getting struck by lightening twice during the filming of “The Passion of the Christ,” Jim Caveizal said the most remarkable miracle was the bonding that was taking place, and the conversions he witnessed.  

 What are some popular movies that you thought had a profound message beyond what they seemed? I nominate Mr. & Mrs. Smith for a commentary on modern marriage (identity, lack of communication/ time spent together, fighting through it and persevering), and The Bourne Ultimatum as a commentary on vocational discernement (mission, identity, knowledge of one’s beginnings in order to achieve your mission)!

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