Join leading film writers and directors in examining the teachings found in movies.
Wednesdays, July 8 to August 5, 2009
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Up until 50 years ago, people learned values, ethics, morals, and spirituality through their sacred texts and clergy. Today, much of our culture learns about these things through popular movies. But what is really being taught in some of these films, and what do the filmmakers themselves intend when creating them? How can we enhance our lives through a deeper understanding of this powerful media. This class, based on a class taught by Rabbi Barclay in the LMU School of Film and Television, will examine ethical issues and how they are taught in films. We will look at the issues of the nature of evil, fate vs. destiny, doing the wrong thing for the right goal, and many other ethical and spiritual questions through watching and opening up current blockbusters. Together, we will learn techniques to evaluate and understand a film's deeper meaning and influence on the value system of the world in which we live. In the LMU undergraduate class, Rabbi Barclay brought in the writers and directors of the films (who collectively had been responsible for over 8 billion dollars of theatrical gross receipts), who discussed their own intents in filmmaking. Their insights will again be part of this course.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Rabbi Michael Barclay teaches in the Department of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University. He has lectured around the world on meditation and cross-cultural mysticism. The spiritual leader of Congregation Shaarei Torah in Arcadia, Rabbi Barclay has guided thousands of people into heightened states of awareness in classes and workshops around the world. Prior to becoming a rabbi, Rabbi Barclay was the President of Production for Rainbow Ridge Films, Inc., and the first American to enter into a joint venture production with LenFilm Studios in the former Soviet Union. A student and teacher of Jewish mystical techniques for more than 20 years, he is currently writing a book with new interpretations and understandings of the Wisdom Writings of the Bible.