After viewing What Dreams May Come, prepare a two-three page reflection that discusses the production values and connection to the ideas we discussed in the Evil & Temptation Catechism exercise. Your reflection should be based on your observation of the production values, narrative content and our discussion and readings.
Identify the core message of the film. Discuss the ways the film does/does not reflect the catechism. Remember many films will do both be sure to cite specific moments in the film, dialogue, camera angles, acting, production design, etc… and specifics from the catechism readings.
This assignment is designed to help you develop and integrate the ability to write in an articulate, complex, and clear manner. It should also demonstrate your understanding of how the content and message of a film (including symbolism) address Catholic concerns, whether intentionally or not, your ability to articulate film criticism by considering production techniques, history of production, message and content and a fuller appreciation of a film’s production values by understanding how production techniques contribute to a film’s message through symbolic manipulation of visual elements.
Submission Instructions:
- The paper is to be clear and concise and students will lose points for improper grammar, punctuation, and misspelling.
- The paper is to be 2-3 pages in length, excluding the title and references pages.
- Chicago/Turabian style
These are the Evil & Temptation Catechism you much use:
2847 The Holy Spirit makes us discern between trials, which are necessary for the growth of the inner man, and temptation, which leads to sin and death. We must also discern between being tempted and consenting to temptation. Finally, discernment unmasks the lie of temptation, whose object appears to be good, a “delight to the eyes” and desirable, when in reality its fruit is death.
2846 This petition goes to the root of the preceding one, for our sins result from our consenting to temptation; we therefore ask our Father not to “lead” us into temptation. It is difficult to translate the Greek verb used by a single English word: the Greek means both “do not allow us to enter into temptation” and “do not let us yield to temptation.” “God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one”; on the contrary, he wants to set us free from evil. We ask him not to allow us to take the way that leads to sin. We are engaged in the battle “between flesh and spirit”; this petition implores the Spirit of discernment and strength.
