Hosts Kenny and Mike discuss the latest film and likely Oscar nominee by Martin McDonaugh and starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. The Banshees of Inisherin, a period film set on an island off the coast of Ireland is a leading contender to receive Oscar nominations including best Picture, Actor, Director, Supporting Actor and Actress, and Screenplay. Follow the link below to listen to the podcast and for episode notes. The Searchlight Pictures film is available on HBOMax and HBO as well as via streaming.
Kenny and Mike open the 5th season of Faithspotting with a discussion of the film and faith issues spotted in the latest film adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s 1928 World War I novel All Quiet on the Western Front. Directed by Edward Berger and starring Felix Kammerer as Paul Bäumer and Albrecht Schuch as veteran infrantry-man Stanislaus Katczinsky, the film follows 17 year old Paul and his school friends as they are recruited and sent to the fight in the trenches on the Western Front. The German language film is available on Netflix in both a dubbed English version or subtitles. Follow the link below for faith additional comments, faith notes, and to listen to the podcast.
Catch part two of the wide-ranging Faithspotting interview filmmaker Owen Kline. Owen joined Faithspotting Hosts Kenny and Mike for an extended interview about his recent film, Funny Pages as well as filmmaking, and the place of story and faith. Follow the link below to hear the episode and to see more show and faith notes. Funny Pages is currently available as subscription or for rental on most streaming services.
Most rightly describe Funny Pages as irreverent. Kline speaks to the art and method behind the irreverence as it contributes to the narrative of the filim.
Interpreter, Owen Kline, Daniel Zolghadri, CrossRoads Faith and Film
Kenny and Mike had an extended, wide-ranging interview with Owen Kline, the writer/director of the 2022 A24 film Funny Pages. Kenny saw the film at the Cannes Film Festival where it was part of the Directors Fortnight, which typically spotlights new and upcoming directors. Unlike most of the other competitions and series that are a part of the festival, the Fortnight includes interviews and Q&A with the filmmakers and cast. Following the film and Q&A Kenny was able to visit with Owen and talk about the work of Cross Roads Faith and Film and the Faithspotting podcast.
Owen has an encyclipedic cinematic knowledge, especially in the horror genre(s) and of course animation. The interview covers a lot of subjects including Owen’s general and expansive interest in faith and the variety of expresseions of faith reflected or experienced through, films, stories and storytelling in general. Owen also shares about the process of filmmaking today, particularly for young filmmakers. Follow the link below for the episode and additional notes on the film. Funny Pages is rated R and is currently in limited release as well as available for streaming rental and purchage on most platforms.
Faithspotting hosts Kenny Dickson and Mike Hatch discuss the AMC series as well as Breaking Bad and spot faith elements presented throughout the Breaking Bad Universe. Follow link for the Podcast episode and faith notes.
Nope is the newest film from writer / director Jordon Peele and re-teams Peele with star Daniel Kaluuya who starred in Peele’s breakout directorial film Get Out. The film co-stars Keke Palmer, Steven Yeun, Michael Wincott, and Brandon Perea. Other than knowing it is a Neo/Peele style horror film, Kenny and Mike suggest viewing the film fresh, before reading reveiws etc. and as Daniel Kaluuya suggested at the film’s premiere, “with an open mind.” Peele and Kaluuya also teamed as producing partners for the upcoming film, “Honk for Jeus, Save Your Soul.” Follow link below for the podcast and faith notes.
Kenny and Mike discuss the journey and coming of age film Don’t Make Me Go and spot faith elements in the Amazon Studios film currently streaming on Amazon Prime. Follow the link below to listen to the podcast and for faith notes.
Kenny and Mike conclude the Faithspotting Christ Figure Series with the 2014 film starring Brendan Gleeson and directed by John Michael McDonagh. Gleeson stars as Father James, a good priest who is threatened because he is a good priest, leaving Jamses to minister to a community who holds him in contempt for the sins of others, yet who need him more than they know. Follow the link below to listen to the podcast and additional faith notes.
The first in a 3-part series of the Faithspotting Podcast looking at Christ Figures in film. One flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) was the first film since 1934 to sweep the major Academy Awards and was based on the 1962 novel by Ken Kesey. Co-hosts Kenny Dickson and Michael Hatch discuss the film, and the attributes of Christ and impact on the members of the Ward of the Oregon State Hospital. Follow the link to listen to the
CrossRoads Faith and Film 