What happens when a famous story is retold to a new audience? The retelling is usually a blend of old and new. Whether done consciously or not, the act of retelling is often also an act of adaptation. Do the transformations inherent in retelling also take place when the famous tale is a Bible story?
In this ten-session course, we will learn how Hollywood retells a Bible story. We will watch five films and analyze them.
In the course of our study, we will note a fascinating synthesis. The biblical original, the long history of biblical engagement by students of different faiths, the conventions of modern-day cinematic storytelling and the creativity of the artists involved in the film all interact to produce a distinctively “modern midrash,” speaking to generations of film audiences, from the 1920’s to the present.
This 10-week course will be held at the Simon Family JCC on the following Tuesdays from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM.
October 10 – Film Screening: Samson and Delilah
October 17 – Samson and Delilah class discussion
October 24 – Film Screening: David and Bathsheba
October 31 – David and Bathsheba class discussion
November 7 – Film Screening: Noah
November 14 – Noah class discussion
November 21 – Film Screening: Prince of Egypt
November 28 – Prince of Egypt class discussion
December 5 – Film Screening: Gods and Kings
December 12 – Gods and Kings class discussion
$60 members / $75 guests