Many Christians who enjoy stories, fiction & arts (you know, like the ones who read scripture) have read many myths and even modern stories that have more than a grain of truth in them. They notice (if they look) that so many of Hollywood’s best films whitewash the good themes of these original stories. If Christian filmmakers just worked at protecting these good themes it could transform our understanding of God & change our country. It’s the 1st and most essential job of Christian artists… to protect these powerful themes.
I vaguely remember a quote where an atheist writer said that if you haven’t read the most widespread literature book in the world (the Bible) then you aren’t going to be a good writer. That really stuck with me.
So were the screenwriters Christian, or did they write from their instincts growing up in a Christian society (nominally)? It seems like there are a lot of “accidentally” Christian movies in strange places.
Not sure in this particular case, but it wasn’t that long ago that the most important screenwriting teachers (McKee, McDonald, etc) were still teaching story theory that was fundamentally christian. (McKee would often have to explain that he wasn’t a christian in lectures, because people thought he must be. He just was a master of the craft of storytelling and the Bible is a great book of stories).
I believe you’re right, but I can’t remember him ever talking about it. Mignola has talked about it in interviews, so I’m more comfortable talking about it. I’d love to hear Del Toro if you know where he’s talked about it!
Anthropologist René Girard explains this phenomenon as “a Christ-haunted culture”. Meaning that you don’t actually need to believe in Christianity nor even consciously acknowledge Christian themes to understand or insert Christian ethics or morality into your stories. In other words the culture is saturated with it and therefore almost impossible to avoid such themes.
Many Christians who enjoy stories, fiction & arts (you know, like the ones who read scripture) have read many myths and even modern stories that have more than a grain of truth in them. They notice (if they look) that so many of Hollywood’s best films whitewash the good themes of these original stories. If Christian filmmakers just worked at protecting these good themes it could transform our understanding of God & change our country. It’s the 1st and most essential job of Christian artists… to protect these powerful themes.
I vaguely remember a quote where an atheist writer said that if you haven’t read the most widespread literature book in the world (the Bible) then you aren’t going to be a good writer. That really stuck with me.
I've heard Neil Gaiman say that. He's definitely not a Christian.
So were the screenwriters Christian, or did they write from their instincts growing up in a Christian society (nominally)? It seems like there are a lot of “accidentally” Christian movies in strange places.
Not sure in this particular case, but it wasn’t that long ago that the most important screenwriting teachers (McKee, McDonald, etc) were still teaching story theory that was fundamentally christian. (McKee would often have to explain that he wasn’t a christian in lectures, because people thought he must be. He just was a master of the craft of storytelling and the Bible is a great book of stories).
Mike Mignola was raised Catholic and admits to consistently drawing on his Catholic upbringing too.
I'm pretty sure Del Toro was raised Catholic. His best stuff always has Christian themes in it.
I believe you’re right, but I can’t remember him ever talking about it. Mignola has talked about it in interviews, so I’m more comfortable talking about it. I’d love to hear Del Toro if you know where he’s talked about it!
What’s cool is Mignola says “it’s not on purpose, the imagery is all just in there when I start to draw.”
Anthropologist René Girard explains this phenomenon as “a Christ-haunted culture”. Meaning that you don’t actually need to believe in Christianity nor even consciously acknowledge Christian themes to understand or insert Christian ethics or morality into your stories. In other words the culture is saturated with it and therefore almost impossible to avoid such themes.
I think that's exactly right!
What are your thoughts on Deadpool ?