What Would Jesus Buy
What Would Jesus Buy? follows Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping Gospel Choir as they go on a cross-country mission to save Christmas from the Shopocalypse: the end of mankind from consumerism, over-consumption and the fires of eternal debt!
Heima
Last year, in the endless magic hour of the Icelandic summer, Sigur Rós played a series of concerts around their homeland. Combining both the biggest and smallest shows of their career, the entire tour was filmed, and now provides a unique insight into one of the world’s shyest and least understood bands captured live in their natural habitat.
The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas
Sunday
This is the story of Bruno, the eight-year-old son of the commandant at a WWII concentration camp, whose forbidden friendship with a Jewish boy on the other side of the camp fence has startlingly unexpected consequences. This exclusive pre-release preview, will show how the film sheds light on the consequences of war.
Finding meaning in 'Lost' : Chris Curtis
Foxhunter Saturday
Is 'Lost' where we find spirituality in today’s culture? Does a message for the church lie somewhere deep within the island? One of TV’s most popular shows, 'Lost' is a glorious mixture of the supernatural and mysterious with polar bears thrown in for good measure. A playful exploration of one of the most debated dramas of the last few years.
Emmanuel Jal: War Child
Sunday
Emmanuel Jal learned how to fire an AK47 at the age of eight, after being taken from his family and forced to fight in the Sudanese civil war. Living through unimaginable horrors, he was eventually rescued by a British aid worker. Now a successful hip hop star in his mid-twenties, this shy and intelligent man is determined to enlighten others about the plight of child soldiers.
For The Bible Tells Me So
Saturday
Through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families (including Bishop Gene Robinson’s) this film charts how people of faith handle realising they have a gay child. With comment from Bishop Desmond Tutu, the film offers healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity.
Why films can make us kill each other... or save the world' : Gareth Higgins
Foxhunter Sunday
Using clips from films such as Jaws, Secrets and Lies, Rocky and The Big Lebowski, Gareth Higgins brings his experience in Northern Ireland to bear on film and reconciliation.
Greenbelt Film 08 : Gareth Higgins
Monday
Join the panel for a discussion on the best and worst films of '08. Chaired by Gareth Higgins.
How to lead a film discussion group : Vic Thiessen
Foxhunter Saturday
Church leaders are discovering the value in using films to explore theological and ethical themes. This interaction with contemporary culture can be illuminating and exciting. How do you start a film discussion group? What venues? What films? What are the legal issues? How do you lead the discussions? Exploring these questions, with the help of film clips, is Vic Thiessen who has facilitated 500 film discussions over the past 10 years.
I Know I'm Not Alone : Michael Franti & Spearhead
Saturday
In 2004 Michael Franti decided to travelled to the war zones of Iraq, Israel and Palestine. Armed only with a guitar and video cameras, he shared his music with families, doctors, musicians and soldiers who, in turn, revealed the very real human cost of war. A powerful film from a remarkable man.
Of God, gods and Galactica : Judith Gunn
Saturday
As cylon and human pursue each other through space in Battlestar Galactica, they bring together ideas of identity, God, gods and extremism in a heady mix of CGI science fiction and some potent contemporary issues.
Muslim Jesus
Saturday
Narrated by Melvyn Bragg, Irshad Ashraf's documentary examines the life of Jesus, one of Islam’s greatest prophets. Using the Quran and other Islamic texts, scholars, teachers, parents, poets and historians examine the differences between the Muslim and Christian portrayals of Jesus. Irshad Ashraf has made documentary films for Channel 4, ITV and BBC.
My China Now
Friday
A collection of 33 short films - fascinating tales of China today, with shades of humour, pathos, fun, frivolity, frustration and fear. Exploring change, advance, development, poverty, displacement, fashion, nightlife, food, health, music, business, love, and money. Made by 26 filmmakers of all ages and backgrounds from all over China – this is their China, now.
Spirited Away
Sunday
When unhappy Chihiro makes the reluctant move with her family to the suburbs, she finds her parents suddenly turned into pigs while snooping around in an abandoned amusement park. Chihiro soon discovers this is a resort for spirits and strange creatures, whom she must now work for, while trying to free her captured parents. Beautifully hand-drawn, this Oscar-winning magical anime, from the makers of Princess Mononoke and My Neighbour Totoro, is a film to enchant all.
Private (15)
Monday
This bold, harrowing and multi-award-winning film tells the true story of active pacifist Mohammed and his family, whose house finds itself in the battleground between an Israeli settlement and a Palestinian village.
Silent Light (15) : Vic Thiessen
Saturday
Winner of the Jury Prize at the ’07 Cannes Film Festival, Silent Light tells the story of the spiritual crisis of an adulterous Mexican Mennonite farmer. Thoughtful and insightful, it examines the grand spiritual themes of life, death, love and forgiveness with a cast of non- actors, in a documentary style. Saturday 19.00 Film Foxhunter
A new dawn for humanity? Finding God in sci-fi films : Vic Thiessen
Saturday
Science fiction films have always explored the theme of a new dawn for humanity. This talk examines this in reference to God, and how these films are as relevant today as they were when the films were made.
What About Me? (15) : Jamie Catto
Monday
In 2004, 1 Giant Leap musicians and film-makers, Duncan Bridgeman and Jamie Catto set off around the world with a digital camera, a laptop and a vision: to capture and weave together as much musical, world had to offer. Recording with local musicians, and interviewing thinkers, teachers, markets sellers, criminals, and more, they examine the extent of humanity’s collective insanity, desires, obsessions, desperations and above all, our inability to stop thinking.
Will Becher
Monday
Will started animating at the tender age of 12 and his degree film, Boxed In, was nominated for a BAFTA New Talent award in ’02. He was snapped up by Aardman Animations soon after graduating, working under Nick Park.
Classic Children’s Film Foundation films (U)
Arena Stage
including Go Kart Go, Sammy’s Super T-Shirt, 4D Special Agents
