Films influence
the current society in a big way. They are cultural artifacts created by specific cultures.
In a globalized world films portray the multicultural aspect of the society.
They reflect those cultures, and, in turn, affect them. Cinema is always
regarded as an important art form, a
source of popular entertainment, and a powerful medium of communication,
education and formation of citizens. And after watching the film ‘Life of
PI’, I realized the powerful influence of film in forming the conscience of human thinking.
For me it was a wonderful experience, a two hours of
entertainment in which I also made a trip to my homeland India. And
finally I realized that it was the best film that I have seen in a theatre in
Italy. So naturally it took the place of the film ‘Avatar’. But I consider a
film good when it makes me think of something new. That means I am not simply
satisfied with two hours of entertainment. This I realized only when I was back
in my room where I was confused by some of my inner arguments. So in this
theological analysis of the film, ‘Life of PI’ I would like to go through the internal conflict that awakened in my
conscious after coming back from the theater. And my main
focus in this analysis is on the childhood of Pi where he was influenced by
different religions. As it is proposed in the book ‘reel spirituality’, I feel
better to begin with the film and on the light of film then pass to theological
judgment or analysis.
From the theological level: When we make a theological analysis of this film we notice that even if there is an invitation to believe in God it brings also great confusion in the minds of people in the form of multi religiosity. The fact that the earnest spiritual quest of its protagonist results in his simultaneous adherence to Hinduism, Christianity and Islam is, however, problematic to say the least. Although it is true that as a child, Pi expressed to his family a desire to be baptized in response to the "love" of Christ as seen in His sacrifice for our sins upon the Cross, we hear nothing about Christ after that point.
From the Biblical level: According to the Christian faith Jesus is the only Savior.
Conclusion
When I analyze the film ‘LIFE OF PI’ from the technical level I find it as
the best film of 2012. Ang Lee, the Director of the film brought all his
talents together in this film. So I was not surprised when I heard today
morning that he won the Oscar for the best director. It has images of beauty
and power that won’t be matched by any other film this year. Even the silent
images inspire us to meditate on the nature. But from a theological point of
view I consider it as an empty vessel even if the film is said about as a film
that makes us believe in God. The knowledge and respect for another
religion is an essential thing while living in a multi-cultural and multi
religious world. But that does not mean that one has to follow all religions at
the same time. I noticed that Pi, is simply seeking new religious
experience without having a stable faith in anything. So the film contains a
complex treatment of religious faith requiring mature interpretation. This film
can be considered as the mirror of the present world where human
beings are not satisfied with what they have. So they have an internal
quest to search for something new persistently. If one suggests that all
religions are basically the same, I consider it as an understatement that
ignores fundamental differences in different faith traditions. As the New
York Timesreports this movie invites you to believe in all kinds of
beautiful things, but no wonder if it brings you to think also if you have
seen anything at all. This film really doesn't matter which god one chooses to
believe in and worship and indeed, the gods can be mixed and matched. And
finally I notice an economical aim in this film. This film throws loaves of
bread to remove the hunger of a man who has no deep faith in his
religion.
For me it was a wonderful experience, a two hours of
entertainment in which I also made a trip to my homeland India. And
finally I realized that it was the best film that I have seen in a theatre in
Italy. So naturally it took the place of the film ‘Avatar’. But I consider a
film good when it makes me think of something new. That means I am not simply
satisfied with two hours of entertainment. This I realized only when I was back
in my room where I was confused by some of my inner arguments. So in this
theological analysis of the film, ‘Life of PI’ I would like to go through the internal conflict that awakened in my
conscious after coming back from the theater. And my main
focus in this analysis is on the childhood of Pi where he was influenced by
different religions. As it is proposed in the book ‘reel spirituality’, I feel
better to begin with the film and on the light of film then pass to theological
judgment or analysis.
A flash back
 |
| Ang Lee |
We notice that many of the famous films in the
Hollywood have got an influence from some bestseller books or they were the
symbolic representation of those books. The film, Life of PI is not different from these. When the Hollywood
Director Ang Lee attempted to make a film on the famous novel of Yann Martell,
‘LIFE OF PI’, he was not the first one to do that. Even if that book won many
honors, the directors of Hollywood found some obstacles in realizing it as a
film in Hollywood. These obstacles remind us also of the difficulties that Yann
Martell faced in his life to publish his book ‘LIFE OF PI’ thatwas
initially rejected by five publishers—yet it went on to win the Man Booker prize in 2002. But Ang Lee
with his constant efforts of four years and with his gifted talent realized the
project as a beautiful film which became the first in the hit list of
this year and received 11 nominations for the Oscar Award. ‘It was like a
test of faith’, these were the words of Lee after getting the nomination for
oscar. And finally today morning this film won four Oscar Awards
including the best film director award.
The persons behind the film ‘life of Pi’
The film ‘life of Pi’ is
directed by Ang Lee; written by David Magee, based on the novel by Yann Martel;
director of photography, Claudio Miranda; edited by Tim Squyres; music by
Mychael Danna; production design by David Gropman; costumes by Arjun Bhasin;
produced by Gil Netter, Mr. Lee and David Womark; released by 20th Century Fox.
Running time: 2 hours 6 minutes.
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Actors: Ayush Tandon (Pi Patel, 11 to 12 years old),Suraj Sharma (Pi Patel), Irrfan Khan(Adult Pi
Patel), Tabu (Gita Patel), Adil Hussain (Santosh Patel), Rafe Spall (Writer), and
Gérard Depardieu (Cook).
Storyline
Life of Pi is the story of a man Piscine Molitor Patel (Pi for short) telling
the story of his family from Pondicherry, India, who ran a zoo, then sold the
zoo to move to Canada, then hitched a ride aboard a freighter with the zoo
animals until its fateful sinking and Pi’s fight for survival with Richard
Parker, a 400 pound Bengal tiger, aboard a single life boat. A middle-aged Pi
(the reliably engaging Irrfan Khan) tells the tale of his earlier life to a
wide-eyed Canadian novelist (Rafe Spall), so we know that he made it through
whatever ordeal we are about to witness. So Ang Lee uses flashbacks between the
past and present and allows them to intermingle lyrically each taking its
turn patiently so that we can willingly experience the life of Pi together.
Analysis of film Life of Pi
From the Cultural background (contest)
1. Indian
background
India is a country of the meeting point of the different cultures,
religions and languages. For an Indian, the character of Pi may not be an
unfamiliar one because it is quiet natural in India for a Hindu to visit a
Christian church (but rarely for the liturgical celebrations) or participate in
the festivals of other religions. The film ‘life of Pi’ begins with the
writer visiting an adult Pi after hearing that the man had "a story that
would make him believe in God." In the film we see that Pi in
his childhood worshiped at multiple altars of faith. "Pi is raised a
Hindu, but as a twelve-year-old he is introduced to Christianity and Islam, and
begins to follow all three religions at the same time.
Hindus
have a lot of deities and in the film ‘LIFE OF PI’, several Hindu gods
are named, images of them are seen and Pi explicitly prays to one, Vishnu. But
when his brother makes a bet with him to drink some holy water from a local
church, and while drinking the holy water in a small parish in Munnar(a
beautiful location of Kerala state, India) a priest spots him, observes that he
must be thirsty and gives him a glass of water and Pi made a conversation
with him asking his 'Christological' doubts. From then on, Pi is
fascinated by Jesus and fervently embraces who He is and what He
represents—while thanking the Hindu god Vishnu for bringing Christ into his
life.
Catholic
movie-goers may appreciate this scene because of its positive portrayal of
their faith, and the presence in the tale of a sympathetic priest. Later, Pi
comes to appreciate Islam, the way in which the Arabic prayers roll off the
tongue, the comfort of the repetitive kneeling and bowing. So in the film
we see that Pi in the infancy practices the gestures of different religions
starting with Christianity. So these gestures are the basis of my communicational
analysis of the film. On the dining table Pi makes the Sign of the Cross
before meals. These gestures in the film are widely criticized by some Hindu
film critics saying it was a definite attempt to clandestinely sell
Christianity to Indians. But I would like to see the infancy of Pi in another
mode. That seems to me like a representation of the present European
youth.
2.
European background
In my few
years of experience in Italy and Germany I came to know many interesting
characters. Some of them became good friends of mine. They were very eager to
know from me about the Indian culture and Indian religions especially Hinduism.
These days I read in the Indian newspapers that many Europeans are going to
India and getting married there in the Hindu temple according to the Hindu
customs. I was really surprised to know this. I have also seen Europeans
who are actively participating in the ‘Hare Krishna’ movement, dressed in
saffron. When I saw these groups at Largo Argentina in Rome and at Munich
in Germany (not very common) there aroused in me some questions, what does that
mean and what are they seeking? Many film critics have noticed a positive side
of the film saying that it makes us believe in God. But I am not very satisfied
with this comment. But in this small paper work I cannot make an analysis of
the full film so that I prefer to concentrate on the childhood of Pi in a
different ways.
From
the communicative level: This is a beautiful film of verbal, non verbal and Para-verbal
communication. This is seen in the different parts of the film especially in
the beginning when Ayush Tandon who is cast as the young Pi in
the film conveys a strong message of devotion to his family using the
signs. One example, prayer and the sign of cross before the
meals. That is a non verbal communication which communicates the basis of
Christian faith in the trinity. From the theological point of view that is
a sign of thanksgiving or adherence to the Trinity. Following this gesture
comes the verbal communication "I want to get baptized". So these
non-verbal communication and verbal communication are in relation between them.
But he continues with his non-verbal communication while he practices the
customs of Islam.
From the philosophical level: In philosophy
everything is based on reason. In the film we see that young Pi gets
philosophical lessons from his father. His father says that believing in three
religions at the same time is equal to believing in nothing. His father gives
him an apt suggestion. But his father’s intention was not to teach him to
believe in God but to say that the religion is darkness and therefore he
should give importance to reason.
From the theological level: When we make a theological analysis of this film we notice that even if there is an invitation to believe in God it brings also great confusion in the minds of people in the form of multi religiosity. The fact that the earnest spiritual quest of its protagonist results in his simultaneous adherence to Hinduism, Christianity and Islam is, however, problematic to say the least. Although it is true that as a child, Pi expressed to his family a desire to be baptized in response to the "love" of Christ as seen in His sacrifice for our sins upon the Cross, we hear nothing about Christ after that point.
From the Biblical level: According to the Christian faith Jesus is the only Savior.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the
Savior of the world.(1 John 4:14)
From the Ecclesiastical level: The Catholic Church often speaks of intercultural and interreligious
discussions and dialogues. But an intercultural dialogue does not mean that one
has to leave his own religion and convert to another. But that invites one to
know the richness of the other religion and to respect it. So we define it as
the process that comprises an open and respectful exchange or interaction
between individuals, groups and organizations with different cultural
backgrounds or world views. Among its aims are to develop a deeper understanding
of diverse perspectives and practices; to increase participation and the
freedom and ability to make choices, to foster equality and to enhance creative
processes.
Conclusion
When I analyze the film ‘LIFE OF PI’ from the technical level I find it as
the best film of 2012. Ang Lee, the Director of the film brought all his
talents together in this film. So I was not surprised when I heard today
morning that he won the Oscar for the best director. It has images of beauty
and power that won’t be matched by any other film this year. Even the silent
images inspire us to meditate on the nature. But from a theological point of
view I consider it as an empty vessel even if the film is said about as a film
that makes us believe in God. The knowledge and respect for another
religion is an essential thing while living in a multi-cultural and multi
religious world. But that does not mean that one has to follow all religions at
the same time. I noticed that Pi, is simply seeking new religious
experience without having a stable faith in anything. So the film contains a
complex treatment of religious faith requiring mature interpretation. This film
can be considered as the mirror of the present world where human
beings are not satisfied with what they have. So they have an internal
quest to search for something new persistently. If one suggests that all
religions are basically the same, I consider it as an understatement that
ignores fundamental differences in different faith traditions. As the New
York Timesreports this movie invites you to believe in all kinds of
beautiful things, but no wonder if it brings you to think also if you have
seen anything at all. This film really doesn't matter which god one chooses to
believe in and worship and indeed, the gods can be mixed and matched. And
finally I notice an economical aim in this film. This film throws loaves of
bread to remove the hunger of a man who has no deep faith in his
religion.
Actors
names are taken from: http://movies.nytimes.com/2012/11/21/movies/life-of-pi-directed-by-ang-lee.html?_r=0
Persons
behind the film has reference to-
http://movies.nytimes.com/2012/11/21/movies/life-of-pi-directed-by-ang-lee.html
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