How to Depict Religion Powerfully on the Screen
It’s easy to be superficial about Christianity on screen: a character’s offhand remark, a shot of a crucifix or rosary, or a quick scene of prayer does the trick. A serious screen treatment of Christianity means getting dirty, down in the roots of its motivational power, showing this power played out in the actions and interactions of the characters, in their self-understanding and understanding of one another, in the conflicts that make up the plot. Displaying a cross is one thing; centering a character on the symbol is quite another.
