Protestants on Screen: Religion, Politics and Aesthetics in European and American Movies

Protestants on Screen explores the contributions of Protestant filmmakers, beliefs, theology, symbols, sensibilities, and cultural patterns to American and European film from the silent era to the present day, challenging the stereotype of Protestants as world-denouncing-and-defying puritans.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 02 February 2024
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Protestants on Screen delves into the profound contributions of Protestants to American and European cinema, spanning from the silent era to the present day. The authors embark on an insightful exploration, examining how Protestant filmmakers, beliefs, theology, symbols, sensibilities, and cultural patterns have shaped the evolution of film. By challenging the prevailing stereotype of Protestants as puritanical and iconoclastic individuals who hindered the maturation of film as an art form, the authors argue that Protestants played a vital role in the origins and development of cinema, infusing it with an unmistakably Protestant aesthetic.

The essays collected in this volume explore a range of key Protestant themes, including faith and doubt, sin and depravity, biblical literalism, personal conversion and redemption, holiness and sanctification, moralism and pietism, Providence and secularism, apocalypticism, righteousness and justice, religion and race, the priesthood of all believers, and its offshoots such as democratization and individualism. Through their meticulous analysis, the authors demonstrate how Protestants have not only contributed to the birth and shaping of the film industry but also harnessed the power of motion pictures for spiritual instruction, edification, and cultural influence.

This comprehensive volume offers a valuable contribution to the study of film and religion, shedding light on the intricate interplay between these two cultural domains. It provides a rich tapestry of insights and perspectives, enriching our understanding of the complex and multifaceted contributions of Protestants to the world of cinema. Whether one is a scholar, film enthusiast, or simply interested in exploring the intersection of faith and culture, Protestants on Screen is a must-read for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of this fascinating subject.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190058913