As we begin Lent, take a look at this stupendous film: here it is on Vimeo. See links below for critique and reviews as well as Dreyer’s own statement of cinematic mysticism.
Here’s the film with English subtitles:
https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/69-realized-mysticism-in-the-passion-of-joan-of-arc
This is an early (1903) silent film about the life of Christ. The camera is stationary, which gives the impression of filmed theater, and the story is told in a series of scenes. I will here provide a description of the first scene of the movie, the annunciation. My remarks are borrowed from Catherine O’Brien’s analysis in the Celluloid Madonna.
In the annunciation scene, Mary is pictured holding a water jar, a detail suggestive of wells, which are symbolic places for betrothals in the Bible. The apocryphal Protevangelium of James depicts the annunciation to Mary in a domestic setting. Mary meets the angel upon returning from a well.
Here, in this movie, the angel once he appears has a lily in his hand, a symbol of purity. The angel fades in to make its presence felt and fades out to disappear. The angel hovers in mid-air. Mary bows to acknowledge the angel’s holiness. The angel moves lips and makes hand gestures to express the message that he carries from heaven. No fear or protest is indicated but rather devotion and acquiescence as Mary bows to receive the message and in assent.
As Mary rises and raises her arms to heaven, the gesture indicates that she is making herself a handmaid to the Lord in an historically significant act of volition.
The entire movie is visually quite fascinating. The absence of sound heightens the visual effects.
Question: What are the advantages of silent film, aesthetically, in portraying the life of Jesus?
OLGA PARK
Christian Mystic of Vancouver
Here are some of her writings:
Book about Olga Park (See links)
Susan McCaslin: Memoir about Olga Park
In 2015 Farkhunda, a young woman of Afghanistan, was savagely beaten and put to death by a mob. Her alleged crime was that she had burnt the Qur’an: a false accusation. Jesus Christ was crucified and put to death on grounds of religious blasphemy.
Wherever spiritual freedom is assaulted and crimes are committed against the innocent — on grounds of religious absolutism — Jesus is crucified, once again. Here’s an article about Farkhunda:
And another:
In the Christian gospel, the resurrection signifies the victory of life — and justice — over against their opposites (death and injustice). Let’s learn from Farkhunda’s martyrdom and support the cause of justice in Afghanistan and around the world.
Here’s one way to give: Women for Women
Or, if you are not able to donate money, learn and care and give as you are inspired to do.
