Conversations in Films and in front of the Screen: On the Complexity of the Dialogical Nature of Film

Marek LIS

Katedra Teologii Liturgicznej, Homiletyki i Komunikacji, Instytut Nauk Teologicznych, Wydział Teologiczny, Uniwersytet Opolski, ul. Drzymały 1a, 45-342 Opole, Poland , Poland

Abstract

The author of the paper analyzes the double nature of cinema dialogues: they are both a message to the viewer and a source of inspiration for discussions among the audience. Since the beginning of the film, the first audiovisual medium, conversation has been an important element of the narration addressed to the viewer. Words heard on the screen provide information about the cinematic world, contribute to the progress of the plot, and are used to create the mood. Film monologues and conversations, sometimes addressing serious existential issues are, in fact, dialogues with the audience, and help grasp meanings the authors of a given film have intended to convey. Examples of such significant conversations can be found in the works by Krzysztof Kieślowski (The Decalogue) or Ingmar Bergman, who approach also ethical and theological questions. The author emphasizes that films as works of (commercial) culture need active audiences capable of creating meanings on their own. Following John Paul II, the author also claims that an important task of media education is to encourage conversation and dialogue among viewers and to make it possible for them to recognize the importance of the film also in the area of religious faith. Such efforts have been undertaken in Poland at the Sacrofilm festival in Zamość and the Summer Film Academy in Zwierzyniec.

Keywords:

theology of the film, Krzysztof Kieślowski, Ingmar Bergman, Christian movies, Sacrofilm