3 October
An exploration of the remarkable friendship between Archbishop Desmond Tutu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
MISSION: JOY. FINDING HAPPINESS IN TROUBLED TIMES. US, 2022, 90 minutes. The Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Doug Abrams. Directed by Louie Psihoyos, Peggy Callahan.
A genial documentary that almost needs no review. This documentary is about the meeting of the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, in Dharamsala in 2015, at the occasion of the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday. It is a wonderful opportunity to see the two men in their old age, see the bond of friendship between them, listen to the reflections on joy, suffering and human nature. And their laughter, especially the exuberant laughter of Desmond Tutu.
For those unfamiliar with the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, it is a fine opportunity to get to know them. Author Doug Abrams takes the opportunity to interview the two as well as offer them a Q&A opportunity with the young people, especially from the Tibetan community in exile.
As background to the comments by each of the two men, there are visuals of the history of Tibet, the Buddhist tradition, the origins of the Dalai Lama and the continuity of succession, the invasion by China, the exile to India. So much of it is done with striking animation. And there is animation for the story of Desmond Tutu, the visuals of the violence of apartheid, the hate comments, South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the background to the Archbishop’s growing up. One of the significant contributors to this film is the Archbishop’s daughter, Mpho Tutu van Furth. Also significant is a Buddhist, Thupan Jenpa, formerly a monk, but who left the monastery for further study and is a key translator as well as adviser to the Dalai Lama.
The two men obviously enjoy each other’s company, the Archbishop calling the Dalai Lama mischievous, and the two enjoying teasing one another – and no hesitation in laughing out loud. At one stage, Desmond Tutu almost persuades the Dalai Lama to join him in the African style of joyful dancing.
A 90-minute opportunity to see two of the significant religious leaders of the 20th century.
https://wonder.watch/mission-joy
10 October
After a family tragedy, 65-year-old Joe embarks on a spiritual journey with God’s personal messenger and motorcyclist, Herb.
WALKING WITH HERB. US, 2021, 110 minutes. Edward James Olmos, George Lopez, Kathleen Quinlan, Jessica Medoff, Johnathan McClain, Billy Boyd, Christopher McDonald, Tammy Lee Santimyer. Directed by Ross Kagan Marks.
Although there are comic moments, this is a film with far more serious intentions. In fact, it is a faith film.
In recent years, faith films seem to have been moving beyond particular churches, many of them without any reference to the church scenes or scenes in a church. This is one of those films. However, it is a film where characters believe in God, some with great devotion, others experiencing sudden deaths and anguish, railing angrily against God.
And, even more, this is one of those films (and we remember that back in the ’40s there were a number of movie angels coming to earth, especially Clarence in It’s a Wonderful Life) where God actively intervenes in someone’s life, sending a guardian angel to challenge and accompany.
A word of warning: this is very much a golf film, spending a great deal of running time on golf links, close-ups of shots, success and failures, the accompanying crowd, the media. Which means that if you are not a golf fan, you might have to make a serious act of the will to persevere in watching all the golf. The title refers to walking on golf links as well as the spiritual accompaniment in life.
The focus is on Joe, a successful banker, happily married to Sheila for many decades, and with a daughter, when the family is confronted with tragedy. For Joe, God is to blame. For Sheila, there is a confident faith in God. The couple is played by veterans Olmos and Quinlan. The screenplay was written by Mark Medoff, writer, director, responsible for such films as Children of a Lesser God.
And, the important question, who is Herb? Well, he is in middle age, perhaps a touch later, dressed in outlandish relaxing clothes, riding his bike, a divine emissary, with more than a word to the wise. His played by Lopez.
His way of drawing Joe out of himself is through golf. There are some local challenges with Herb giving technical advice, and, if this is not miracle enough, urging Joe to go into a national championship.
And, so we go on the various links, shot by shot, Joe playing off against the champion and winning, further teeing off, and, finally, a play-off against Scottish Archie Borthwick (Boyd), friendly negotiations with his caddie-coach, Christopher McDonald, and the question of whether Joe and Herb will reach their objective. And some renewed faith in God.
For those who accept the basic premise of God’s Providence, a faith entertainment. For those who do not accept it, they may be caught up in the humanity of the characters – and, of course, the golf.
https://wonder.watch/walking-with-herb
17 October
A heartfelt and laugh-out-loud comedy film, Church People is the story of real people with real struggles and their unique paths to discovering what faith in Jesus is all about.
CHURCH PEOPLE. US, 2021, 96 minutes. Thor Ramsey, Erin Cahill, Michael Monks, Joey Fatone, Stephen Baldwin, Donald Faison, Andriana Manfredi, Clancy McCartney, William Baldwin. Directed by Christopher Shawn Shaw.
Here is an American spoof with a moral. The targets of the spoof are evangelical Americans, especially those who belong to the large, media-oriented churches (and financial profitability). Whether this comedy-parody would work so well in other countries is difficult to say. In Australia, there is Hillsong, and there are a large suburban churches which draw more than 1000 people each weekend.
Members of the more traditional churches do not have this kind of experience and would look on, puzzled and amused.
The film was written by TRamsey who plays the central character, Guy Sides, a pastor who has acquired a reputation, travels the countryside under the patronage of the leader of the church (Monks, who with his bald head, facial expressions, manner and style, resembles JK Simmons). He also has a business manager, always in suit and tie, not particularly religious, but eager for promoting the gimmick (Faison). When there is a gimmick of his signing a beach ball, this becomes his trademark, beach balls galore, signatures galore, his repetition of the same speech to the congregations, his love for the gospel but his audience not listening in any meaningful way. He wants to resign.
At the core of the story is a gimmick for the celebration of Good Friday, the suggestion, embraced by the leader, endorsed by his board, is that they should have a crucifixion in the church, similar to those in Mexico and the Philippines, but taking precaution that the crucified person does not suffer much, let alone die. The board has chosen Guy to be crucified. Guy then begins a campaign against the crucifixion, especially when his resignation is accepted, and an over-enthusiastic young convert is eager to be crucified.
The film also serves as something of a romance when the leader’s daughter, Carla (Cahill) arrives back from mission overseas, toys with Guy who does not recognise her, but then join in his campaign, anxious about her father. Also in the act is an egotistical singer, who despises his backup musicians, is infatuated by Carla, but persuaded to join in the protest against the crucifixion. And, then, unexpectedly, Gretchen turns up, Guy’s daughter whom he thought had been given up for adoption at her birth.
All kinds of shenanigans, the ever presence of Chad (Stephen Baldwin with the perpetual expression that is meant to be holy but also look clownish) a kind of guardian angel figure who knows everything about everyone.
After all the parody, and the leader of the church announcing the crucifixion with much satisfaction, Guy takes over and nails to the cross a personal object, the rest of the congregation following suit, a symbolic self-sacrifice and renunciation, giving some meaning to the crucifixion and the significance of Christ’s death.
Not really for non-religious, non-church audiences (except those who like a parody or want to enjoy some church embarrassment). But, for evangelical Christians, as noted, a spoof with a moral.
https://wonder.watch/church-people
24 October
When a mysterious man appears in a small town, unexplained miracles start to occur, changing the lives of everyone he meets.
THE REASON. US, 2020, 83 minutes. Louis Gossett Jr, Tatyana Ali, Beverly Todd, Kelly Carlson, Burgess Jenkins, Alan Powell, Charlie Ray Reid, Sara Antonio. Directed by Randall Stevens.
The recurring phrase throughout this film, seen on posters and graffiti on walls is: Only Believe.
This is an explicit faith film. It has been made for its target audience of believers, reinforcing their faith and God-commitment. It will not be persuasive for non-believers, especially for those who have some scorn for belief. [A number of IMDb reviews are particularly scathing.]
The film is strong in its expression of faith, of its conception of God. Louis Gossett Jr, in his 80s (Oscar winner for An Officer and a Gentleman) has appeared in a number of faith films over a 20-year period. Here he plays a blind pastor, managing a small church. While it might be described as evangelical, there is no focus on the person of Jesus and minimal reference to Scriptures. The focus is on God and faith.
Central to the story is a stranger in town, Ken, played by Powell. He approaches people, speaks sincerely to them, has an influence on their lives, is even able to do extraordinary things, understands people, and is always present at crucial times.
Also at the centre of the film is a young boy with leukaemia, a bright personality, a favourite with doctors and nurses at the hospital, especially the surgeon played by the enthusiastic and vivacious Ali, as well as the nurse with her personal problems but committed to the boy, using a Muppet-like puppet to urge him on, played by Carlson. There is a need for a bone marrow transplant.
Also at the hospital is another doctor who, it is revealed, is still grieving for the death of his daughter, and explicitly anti-God and anti-faith. The mother approaches the father of the boy, whom she had encountered in a one-night stand and not stayed with him. Ultimately, he is sympathetic, and relates well with the boy.
The pastor slips and falls his kitchen and recovers his sight. There is story of a woman coming out of coma at the hospital. Only Believe. However, the film raises the question of accepting gifts from God with gratitude but also the question of what if present hopes are not fulfilled – the impact on the mother of the death of her son, and on the rest of the hospital staff.
There is some similarity in plot with Wish Man, also focusing on a boy with leukaemia and dying. The screenplay is based on a book by author, William Sirls, who was written many faith-based books.
https://wonder.watch/the-reason
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See HERE for information on September’s offerings.