Guiding Lights in Film: Inspirations to Live By

Memorable film characters, luminous actors/actresses, and even some unforgettable great films themselves have inspired audiences since the beginning of movies. This week-long seminar focused on sixteen feature films from the US, Japan, and Germany dating from the 1930s to the present that have depicted teachers, mentors, and spiritual visionaries—both secular and religious—who were able to bring forth inspiration akin to its original meaning: “A divine influence or action upon the lives of certain persons that is believed to qualify them to receive and communicate sacred revelation interpreted within Christianity as the direct action of the Holy Spirit” (Webster’s 3rd International Dictionary, 2002).

The films chosen evoke — through their characters, scenarios, bold cinematography, and music — those qualities of inspiration and spiritual leadership that have served to guide oneself and others to embrace the courage, passion, and imagination needed to take up a new way of living.

Films viewing order:

1. The Song of Bernadette
2. “A Source of Inspiration” from Hildegard von Bingen in Portrait
3. Vision: From the Life of Hildegard von Bingen
4. Red Beard
5. The Miracle Worker
6. Freedom Writers
7. Anne Frank Remembered
8. Of Love, Death and Beyond: Exploring Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony
9. The Grapes of Wrath
10. Young Mr. Lincoln
11. An Ecology of Mind
12. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
13. Field of Dreams
14. Lilies of the Field
15. To Kill A Mockingbird
16. Invictus
17. Buck

Bonus films:

1. Bagdad Café
2. The Times of Harvey Milk

See also: Twenty Favorite Films

Photo by Patrick Fore

Topic Br. David Steindl-Rast

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