Modern Cinema and Biblical Themes: From Femme Fatales to Superheroes and Apocalypse
Discover the surprising ways modern cinema continues to be shaped by biblical stories.
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Wed 06 May
- $130.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Wed 06 May 19:00 - Wed 06 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Wed 13 May 19:00 - Wed 13 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Wed 20 May 19:00 - Wed 20 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Wed 27 May 19:00 - Wed 27 May 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Wed 03 Jun 19:00 - Wed 03 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Wed 10 Jun 19:00 - Wed 10 Jun 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here.
Description
This in-depth insightful course explores how filmmakers reinterpret familiar figures and themes—from femme fatales and flawed heroes to apocalyptic visions and moral quests. Through film clips, discussion, and guided reflection, you’ll examine how ancient narratives echo across genres and eras, influencing the way we understand these iconic characters today. Perfect for film lovers, curious thinkers, and anyone interested in the meeting point of story, symbolism, and screen.
Expected learning outcomes
- Understand how biblical stories, characters, and themes have been woven into popular culture
- Analyse how modern films have influenced our perceptions of biblical figures and narratives
- Learn to apply these biblical adaptations to contemporary pop culture contexts
- Creatively engage with course material to develop new profiles and interpretations of traditional biblical character types, reimagining them in light of their cinematic representation
Course outline
- Week 1: The history of the Bible. We will work out where selected biblical texts “fit” in the continuum of beliefs about the Bible. This is followed by an overview of what religion and popular culture are, the intersections between them, and how they influence each other.
- Week 2: A look at how directors add details to fill in details that are not given in the Bible, using De Mille’s Samson and Delilah movie as an example. This class involves an interactive activity in creating a femme fatale character.
- Week 3: The class will engage with the historical, social, and spiritual context of Old Testament prophets to develop the profile of a contemporary prophet.
- Week 4: This class involves creative engagement with films that have saviour figures to apply Messianic tropes to a new cultural context. This week we will look at short clips from The Last Temptation of Christ, Jesus Christ Superstar, and The Passion of the Christ.
- Week 5: How the Bible influences apocalyptic themes in films and which modern fears are represented in these films. The class will decode the symbolism in selected film clips from Snow Piercer, A Thief in the Night, Left Behind, The Last of Us, and Wall-E. The class will offer examples of which fictional character they would choose as an ally in an apocalypse.
- Week 6: We consider how marketing distorts or reflects biblical traditions relating to angels and the biblical Eve. We decode ads to work out whether any traces of biblical symbolism remain or if the context has become purely secular.
Who should attend?
Whether you’re a film buff, a biblical scholar, or just curious about the intersection of religion and media, this course will provide a fresh perspective on how the Bible continues to shape storytelling in the modern world.
About your tutor, Marina
Marina has a doctorate in theology and degree qualifications in law, music, and teaching and has presented her research in New Zealand, Poland, Romania, and Russia. She enjoys public presentations.
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